I’m unabashed about my love for Orienpet lilies. They are a cross between trumpet lilies and Oriental lilies. They have some fragrance—although it’s not as overpowering as Oriental lilies, and so far all of the cultivars I have grown have bloomed heavily. The flowers are also more weather-resistant, and the stalks are very thick and sturdy.
I had horrible problems with rodents attacking my lily bulbs last summer, but ‘Saltarello’ managed to escape unscathed.
When the flowers open, they are a shade of pale peach. As they mature, they transition to a medium golden-yellow.
‘Saltarello’ can grow 4 to 5 feet tall. My plants topped out at about 3 feet, but it was only their first year in my garden and they are growing in a location that only receives about 4 hours of sun each day. That’s another reason I love Orienpets. They bloom like crazy whether they are in full sun or part-shade.
‘Saltarello’ is hardy in Zones 5-9 and blooms in late July and early August.