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Lilium spp. 'Orienpet Hybrids'
orienpet lilies
Hybrid of garden origin — Division VII (OT hybrids) of the international hybrid lily classification; first developed in the 1960s-1980s by lily breeders including Jan de Graaff and Leslie Woodriff; Oriental parent species are native to Japan and Trumpet parents are native to China and Myanmar; the combination of Trumpet-group vigor and heat tolerance with Oriental-group flower size and fragrance gives the group wider zone adaptability than pure Oriental lilies
Overview
Orienpet lily hybrids — also called OT hybrids or trumpet-oriental crosses, Division VII of the international hybrid lily classification — combine the tall sturdy stems and cold-hardiness of Trumpet lilies with the large fragrant flowers of Oriental lilies. The group represents a relatively recent development in lily breeding, first produced in the 1960s-1980s by breeders including Jan de Graaff and Leslie Woodriff. Plants grow from large scaly bulbs producing robust erect stems 4-7 feet (120-210 cm) tall with abundant lance-shaped leaves. In mid to late summer, stems carry 6-20 or more outward-facing to slightly nodding flowers 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) across with broad overlapping tepals in white, cream, yellow, orange, peach, pink, red, and bicolor combinations — often with darker centers or picotee edges. Fragrance is strong — intermediate in character and intensity between the heavy Oriental scent and the lighter Trumpet fragrance. Orienpet hybrids show greater vigor and heat tolerance than pure Oriental lilies and are hardy in zones 4-9, which makes the group a more reliable choice than Oriental lilies in zones 8-9 where summer heat weakens the pure Oriental group. Well-known cultivars include 'Black Beauty', 'Scheherazade', 'Boogie Woogie', and the 'Silk Road' series. All parts of Lilium species are highly toxic to cats, causing acute and often fatal kidney failure.
Native Range
Orienpet hybrids are of garden origin, first developed in the 1960s-1980s by lily breeders including Jan de Graaff, Leslie Woodriff, and others. The Oriental parent species are native to Japan; the Trumpet lily parents are native to China and Myanmar.Suggested Uses
Planted at the back of perennial borders, in cutting gardens, and as specimen plants in zones 4-9 at 12-18 inch (30-45 cm) spacing. The 4-7 foot (120-210 cm) height and large fragrant flowers give the group the visual weight of a mid-size shrub at the peak of bloom, which suits back-of-border positions where the bulb foliage can die back behind mid-summer perennials. Staggering Asiatic, Orienpet, and Oriental lilies in a mixed lily planting extends the continuous lily season from June through September. Cut flowers last 7-10 days with the stamens removed to prevent pollen staining. Cat toxicity rules the group out of households and gardens with cats.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4' - 7'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Blooms late July through September in zones 4-9 across a 5-6 week bloom window per stem, bridging the gap between Asiatic lilies (June-July) and late Oriental lilies (August-September). The combination of tall stature, large flowers, and strong fragrance makes the group a major feature of the late-summer border.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White, cream, yellow, orange, peach, pink, red, and bicolor combinations; flowers 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) across with broad overlapping tepals, outward-facing to slightly nodding; often with darker centers or picotee edgesFoliage Description
Medium green lance-shaped leaves arranged abundantly along erect robust stemsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant bulbs in fall or early spring 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) deep and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart in full sun to partial shade in well-drained fertile slightly acidic soil at pH 6.0-6.5. Tall stems (4-7 feet / 120-210 cm) require staking in exposed positions. Mulch heavily to keep the root zone cool. Water consistently during active growth. Apply a balanced fertilizer as shoots emerge in spring and again as buds form. Alkaline soils cause yellowing and decline; soil pH below 6.5 is required for long-term health. All parts are highly toxic to cats — the group should not be grown where cats have access.Pruning
Remove spent flower heads individually as they fade to prevent seed set and maintain appearance. Leave the full stem and foliage in place until they yellow and die back naturally, since the stem and leaves rebuild the bulb for the following season. Cut to ground level only after stems have fully yellowed. Stake before stems reach 24 inches (60 cm) — the tall mature height requires early structural support. Divide congested clumps every 4-5 years in early fall.Pruning Schedule
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