Lilium ‘Black Beauty’ (Orienpet Lily)

Extraordinary vigorous, Lilium ‘Black Beauty’ is also an outstanding garden lily. This Orienpet Lily features strongly recurved flowers of dark crimson, 3 in. across (7 cm), adorned with narrow white margins, elegantly protruding anthers, and a prominent green star center. Borne on sloping stems, the semi-pendant blooms are extremely profuse – between 50 and 150 flowers per stem (!) on well-established plants. Long-lasting, this fragrant oriental hybrid lily is a cross between Lilium henryi and Lilium speciosum.

• Blooming in mid-late summer, this Lily constitutes an excellent border plant, providing striking color and contrast to the perennial border, and mixes beautifully with annuals and other summer flowering bulbs. 
• Growing up to 4-7 feet tall (120-210 cm), it performs best in full sun or part shade and enjoys fairly fertile, acidic, well-drained soils. Good moisture is required and dry soil should be avoided!
• Reliable, easy to grow, beloved by bees and butterflies,
• Plant in spring or fall. Plant in groups of 3 bulbs at a minimum for a striking display! When flowering is over, cut back leaves and stems after they turn yellow.
• Toxic to cats (though not for dogs or any known species)
• This Lily is a member of the Other Hybrids Division (VIII) which includes all interdivisional hybrids, such as Longiflorum/Asiatic (LA) hybrids, Longiflorum/Oriental (LO) hybrids, Oriental/Asiatic (OA) hybrids, and Oriental/Trumpet hybrids (Orienpets or OT hybrids). There are 9 different types of lilies classified by the Royal Horticultural Society. And they are all real eye-catchers!
• Adored by gardeners, Orienpet Lilies are outstanding garden plants. They are a real breakthrough in the history of Lily breeding. They enjoy better disease resistance and increased reliability. They are also more drought, cold, and heat tolerant than their parents.
• Blooming towards the end of the lily season, Orienpet Lilies are perfect additions to the late summer garden. Their fresh and impressive blooms are welcomed by gardeners since many other plants have started to fade.