‘Saltarello’ Shines

The conditions must have been perfect for lilies last summer because my Orienpets bloomed like they were on steroids. And the chipmunks left the plants alone for once while they were growing and blooming, so the plants really put on a magnificent display.

In a burst of euphoria over those stunning lilies I let my guard down and ordered a few more Orienpet bulbs in late summer after mine had finished blooming for the season. Soon after, just as my plants were starting to absorb energy back into the bulbs, the chipmunks struck. They decided to strip off all the leaves and then gnaw into the stalks until they broke off and toppled over. So much for any energy and nutrients going back into the bulbs. I won’t know the extent of the damage until later this spring when the lilies (hopefully) start peeking out of the ground. It’s always something…

I grow Orienpet ‘Saltarello’ in a partial-shade area toward the back of the yard. For several weeks, loads of golden-orange flowers screamed for attention from across the backyard.

‘Saltarello’ grows 4 to 5 feet tall and blooms in July and early August. Last summer my plants topped out at just under 4 feet. Orienpets usually take a few years to reach their full height, so my plants may grow even taller next summer. The stalks are very stocky and strong, so even though they are brimming with flowers, they don’t need staking.

When the sun shines on the flowers, they glow like a beacon:

This fall I surrounded my newest bulbs with chicken wire after I was done planting them. Hopefully that will stop the chipmunks from doing damage or at least slow them down. I added a couple more ‘Saltarello’ bulbs to my flowerbeds, but I also planted a couple of new-to-me Orienpet cultivars.

I love Orienpets because they grow tall and strong, they don’t need staking, they thrive in sun or partial-shade and the colors are flashy and vivid. As an added bonus, they have a lovely fragrance. If it weren’t for the chipmunks, I’d plant even more of them.