In Season This Month – August – Roselily
Introducing the roselily.
We are all familiar with lilies and in particular the strong scent and the pollen which no matter how hard you try, always gets everywhere! So if lilies traditionally are not for you, instead why not switch to a rose lily.
Roselilies are double flowered oriental lilies which instead of the usual prominent stamens and pollen, have masses of petals. It is all these petals that give them a wonderful rose like appearance hence the name Rose Lily. Beautiful to look at and no pollen. No pollen means no stains.
The rose lily came about after a fluke of nature. In the 1970’s a lily grower in Holland noticed that one single stem in a whole field of lilies drew his attention as it was a unique double-flowered lily. Whilst it still had some pollen, its DNA offered sufficient starting points for further breeding and the creation of double flowered lilies with no pollen that we all know now as ‘roselilies’. The first double lily ever was called Double Lily Belonica.
As well as having no pollen, the roselily has only a light, pleasant fragrance or no fragrance at all making them suitable for those who dislike the strong fragrance of standard oriental lilies.
They come in a rich colour palette ranging from pure white to deep reds and pinks. Their petals are thick and velvety. They are opulent and showy or refined and classic – you can take your pick.
Some of our favourite roselilies
A unique feature of the roselily is that all varieties are all named with girl names ending in A, Anika, Anoushka, Aisha, Samantha etc. The team behind this new type of lily, decided this with a preference for names of princesses.
Anouska – a really stunning roselily going from pale pink to bright pink edges with a wonderful fragrance.
Aisha – crisp white roselily with lime-green midribs and lightly ruffled edges.
Carolina – white with a hint of pale pink with what appears like an inner glow due to the greenish-yellow hint at the base of each petal
Natalia – pale pink with a dark pink tinted stripe and speckles towards the centre.
Samantha – a pot plant variety with reddish pink to deep pink flowers with white petal margins
Roselilies grown here in the UK are in season in from June through to late Autumn.
These beautiful flowers are great value for money – they are large, with big heads and have a long vase life. They also appeal as most people find filled or double-flowered varieties more beautiful than single flowers.
Where to buy British Roselilies:
Online
Evolve are selling a mixed selection of 9 roselilies featuring at least 2 varieties.
Smith & Munson are currently offering Anouska (white with pink edges), Aisha (white), Viola (pink) and Ludwina (creamy hue with yellow centres and crisp creamy-white petals), Best Regards (pink) and Samantha (pink) in either 5 or 10 stems.
The Real Flower Company have a pink roselilies box of either 5 or 10 stems, grown in Sussex.
How to care for Roselilies as cut flowers
Roseliles can last for up to 2 weeks in a vase if looked after correctly.
As always condition well – remove foliage especially below the water level, cut at a diagonal and remember Roselilies need a lot of water. Refill the vase regularly and change the water regularly.
Put the vase in a fairly cool spot, not in a draught or next to a fruit bowl.
If you want to see more about flowers you can look here.
