We've been nurturing these beauties for years and they’ve become a crowd favourite. Here’s a little insight into why they’re so loved and a peek behind the scenes at how we grow, care for, and pick them, part of their journey from our farm to your home.
Oriental Lilies have a long and rich history. They originated in Japan, China, and Korea where they’ve been cultivated for centuries. The 'Oriental' part of their name points to their Asian roots. In those cultures they symbolise purity and beauty. Over time breeders have developed varieties with stunning colours and wonderful fragrances. Here at Olivieri's we grow several varieties of pink and white lilies, with the occasional lemon-coloured ones too.
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Oriental Lilies are true show-stoppers with their large, eye-catching blooms. They have an impressive vase life, allowing you to enjoy their beauty for longer. We sell them closed as tightly as possible. This not only extends their vase life but also gives you the pleasure of watching each bud open day by day. Plus, their incredible fragrance stands out when many other cut flowers lack any scent at all. If you love fragrant flowers but often struggle to find them, Oriental Lilies won’t let you down.
Growing Oriental Lilies is a detailed and exacting process to ensure top-quality blooms. It starts with selecting high-quality bulbs which we store in a cool room until planting. These lilies thrive in well-drained, slightly-acidic soils. After, we usually plant them in black crates filled with soil. Consistent watering, balanced fertilisation, and proper temperature regulation are crucial. Pest and disease management is also essential to keep the lilies healthy. This careful process ensures that our Oriental Lilies are as beautiful and long-lasting as possible.
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Harvest time is always exciting! It takes about 90 days for the lilies to be ready for picking. We pick them at the bud stage, so you can enjoy watching them open at home. Each stem is hand-picked when the lowermost bud shows a hint of colour. This careful timing ensures the buds open fully and beautifully. After harvesting, the stems are bunched, sleeved, and placed in fresh water. They're then moved to the cool room until they’re ready for display or arrangement.
We sell our lilies by the bunch, usually with five stems per bunch, each bearing 2-4 buds that will open over time. When freshly picked the colours can be hard to distinguish but our florists are always ready to help you. These showy flowers are popular on their own with some nice gift wrap. Their lush foliage is beautiful too, so they look great even in simple arrangements. If you want a fuller look, we can mix them with other lush foliages to create a stunning bouquet. Oriental lilies also mix well with other flowers in bouquets or arrangements. They're successful both in all-white combinations or vibrant, colourful mixes.
If you need lilies open for a special event, just let us know. We can put some aside and start the opening process for you. Depending on how open you need them between 1 to 2 weeks' notice is usually required, especially in cooler weather.
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To get the longest vase life from your Oriental Lilies, follow these tips:
If you’ve ever had Oriental Lilies at home you’ll know their stamens can get a bit messy. The key to avoiding this mess is to remove them before they turn 'fuzzy'. When a new lily bud opens the stamens are smooth, but keep an eye on your lilies as they bloom. If you pick the stamens at this early stage they’ll come off cleanly in your hands.
If you miss this stage and the stamens drop onto fabric or upholstery don’t wipe it away! This will only push the pollen into the fabric. Instead, take a piece of sticky tape and gently press it onto the stamen powder. The pollen will stick to the tape. Repeat this process until all the powder is gone.
We pick our lilies three times a week, ensuring the freshest selection available. From the farm straight to the shop, you won’t find fresher lilies anywhere. While we say you’ll get about two weeks out of your lilies, our customers often report even longer vase life.
We're proud to supply the Central Coast with Oriental Lilies. They're perfect for any occasion. Our family-run business prides itself on quality and freshness. Order lilies over the phone or online, or come visit us in-store.