SKU: 00840369420770 5 'Lotus Beauty' Double Oriental lily (Lilium orientalis 'Lotus Beauty')

Key Features

• Growth Habit: Upright, bulb-forming perennial with sturdy stems and glossy, lance-shaped green foliage.
• Bloom Color: Fully double creamy white blooms with soft blush-pink highlights, light raspberry speckling, and a pale green center.
• Fragrance: Strong, sweet, classic Oriental lily fragrance.
• Fruit Flavor: None; ornamental plant that rarely produces seed due to its double flowers.
• Culinary Uses: None; not edible.
• Medicinal Uses: No recognized medicinal uses.
• Possible Toxicity: Highly toxic to cats. All parts of the plant—including flowers, pollen, leaves, stems, and bulbs—can cause severe kidney failure if ingested by cats. Ingestion may also cause mild gastrointestinal upset in dogs and humans.
• Wildlife & Pest Resistance: Attracts butterflies, bees, and other beneficial pollinators. Moderately resistant to deer and rabbits, although young shoots and flower buds may occasionally be browsed. Watch for aphids, slugs, snails, and lily leaf beetles.
• Planting Zone: Hardy in USDA Zones 4–9.
• Sun Preferences: Full sun to partial shade; performs best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight while keeping the root zone cool with mulch or companion plants.
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate; prefers evenly moist, well-drained soil but tolerates brief dry periods after establishment.
• Mature Size: Typically grows 30–40 inches tall with a spread of 12–18 inches.

When and How to Prune

• Remove spent flowers after blooming to prevent seed formation and encourage the bulb to store energy for the following season.
• Leave all healthy foliage intact until it naturally yellows and dies back.
• Cut stems back to ground level in late fall after the foliage has completely withered.
• Remove damaged or diseased leaves during the growing season as needed to promote healthy growth.

Planting Instructions (Bulbs into the Ground)

1. Plant bulbs in fall or early spring while the soil is cool and workable.
2. Select a location with fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade.
3. Dig a planting hole 6–8 inches deep, measuring from the top of the bulb to the soil surface.
4. Position the bulb with the pointed end facing upward.
5. Space bulbs 10–12 inches apart to provide room for mature growth and good air circulation.
6. Backfill with soil, gently firm around the bulb, and water thoroughly after planting.
7. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and help keep the root zone cool.
8. Water regularly during active growth, keeping the soil consistently moist but never saturated.

Overwintering Steps

• 'Lotus Beauty' Double Oriental Lily is winter hardy in USDA Zones 4–9 and can remain planted outdoors year-round.
• Allow foliage to die back naturally after the first hard frost before removing it.
• Cut stems back to ground level once the foliage has completely yellowed or browned.
• Apply a 2–4 inch layer of mulch after the ground freezes to protect bulbs from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
• Remove excess mulch gradually in early spring as new shoots begin emerging.
• Ensure excellent winter drainage to prevent bulb rot in wet soils.
• Divide mature clumps every 3–5 years in fall if flowering declines or plants become overcrowded.

Elegant, fragrant, and beautifully refined, 'Lotus Beauty' Double Oriental Lily brings luxurious charm to the summer garden with its rose-like, pollen-light blooms and captivating perfume. Whether planted in borders, patio containers, or cutting gardens, this stunning perennial offers dependable performance and timeless beauty that returns year after year.