About Orienpet Lilies
Orienpet cultivars may have extra chromosomes in their genetic makeup which tends to give thicker foliage, sturdier blooms, and longer-lasting more heat-resistant plants. Multiple generations of cross breeding between purebred Oriental lilies and purebred Trumpet lilies (with Lilium henryi thrown in for hardiness) has produced fragrant lilies that generally resemble Oriental flowers, but have more of a Trumpet fragrance, and require less winter chilling to bloom well in southern states. 'Conca d' Or' is probably the most famous, growing well from the cooler areas (hilly areas) of San Diego to Bangor Maine.
Known as Orienpets or OT Hybrids, these Interspecific crosses between Oriental and Trumpet lilies have produced lily bulbs that easily weather late Midwestern frosts and have the sweet fragrance and shape of Oriental lilies. Trialed under multi zonal garden conditions, you can now have even solid yellow "Orientals" for late summer bloom.
