All About Roselilies: Your New Garden Crush

pink and white roseliies

Let’s talk about Roselilies! These breathtaking hybrids are the result of an incredible innovation in the world of lilies. A cross between oriental lilies and carefully selected double-flowering varieties, Roselilies are renowned for their luxurious appearance, delightful fragrance, and pollen-free blooms. If you love the drama of a lily but hate the mess of pollen all over your table, or worse on your clothes, let us introduce you to your new garden crush: the Roselily. 

So, what makes a Roselily so special? For starters, they’re pollen-free. That’s correct, no stamens means no pollen. No more golden dust floating around staining the petals, your hands, your clothes, or making your nose twitch. These low-maintenance lilies keep it clean.

Next, each bloom has layer upon layer of silky petals (up to 20!) in colors ranging from snow white on Zeta, to bubblegum pink as seen on Mikaela, to a deeper pink showcased on Samantha. It looks as if three or four oriental lilies were placed inside one another; they’re just spectacular. They open gradually, giving you a long-lasting floral show from mid to late summer, just when your garden needs a splash of beauty.

bright pink roselilies

Because Roselilies are Oriental lilies at their foundation, their growing and care recommendations closely mirror those of Oriental varieties, like the well-known Stargazer or Casablanca. Plant the bulbs in sunny to partially shaded spots in well-drained soil. Roselilies like a cozy bed, so plant them about four to six inches deep and 12 inches apart. Mulch lightly to retain moisture and protect roots. They grow to around two to four feet tall, making them perfect for borders, containers, or anywhere you want to make a statement. Once established, they require minimal care aside from regular watering and occasional deadheading.

a hand putting a lily bulb into a pot filled with dirt and 2 other bulbs

Roselily bulbs are perennial in USDA Zones 3 through 9, meaning you’ll get to enjoy their spectacular performance year after year. Just mulch in winter if you’re in a cooler zone and they’ll return ready to wow again the following year.

Enjoying these lilies indoors is a special treat. Because they are stamen-free and therefore don’t produce pollen, Roselilies also last longer in vases. Once cut, these flowers maintain their beauty for roughly 10 to 12 days, which is significantly longer than many other lily varieties. Another innovative touch that was given to these beauties is their soft scent. They smell amazingly soft and sweet, never overpowering like standard stargazers can be. So go ahead and cut a few stems for your kitchen table, you’ll have show-stopping, hypoallergenic bouquets that stay clean and fresh for close to two weeks.

white and soft pink lilies in a clear vase with a blurred grey background

Anyone who sees a Roselily, wants a Roselily and asks for it in their vases or gardens. This lily has become so popular with their sophisticated look and practical benefits that they’ve become a favorite among high-end florists and wedding and event designers. They really do offer a modern twist on a classic favorite, providing all the charm of traditional lilies with improved qualities and none of the mess. They are gorgeous, clean, easy to grow, and once you see them in your garden they will soon be a favorite of yours as well.

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