Roselilies

* Common name: Roselilies

* Botanical name: Lilium orientalis

* What it is: Roselilies are a relatively new branded series of Oriental lilies that are unusual for their double flowers. They were developed by a Dutch company that discovered a mutated lily with multi-layered petals that resembled a rose, which led to the line’s name and European debut in 2010 and 2011.

Roselilies have been especially popular for cut-flower growers, who like their lack of pollen (no staining), their long vase life, and their minimal scent (not everyone likes the strong fragrance of traditional Oriental lilies).

Home gardeners can grow six varieties of Roselilies from potted plants or bulbs. Flower colors are pink, rose, and white (and bicolors of those), and the plants bloom from July into August.

* Size: Two to three feet tall. Plant bulbs six to eight inches apart in spring.

* Where to use: Roselilies are perfect for a cut-flower garden but do well in any sunny perennial garden or mixed garden. They also can be grown in sunny pots. Avoid wet soil.

* Care: Snip off flower stalks down to the foliage after flowers fade. Let remaining foliage alone until frost browns it, then cut it to the ground or at the end of winter.

Rabbits love lilies, so you may need to protect plants with a wire cage or a repellent if any are lurking. Deer also may eat the foliage and flowers.

Fertilize beds in early spring with a balanced, granular organic fertilizer. Bulbs can be dug and divided in early fall.

* Great partner: Asters, lavender, coneflowers, and liatris are other color-coordinated, sun-loving perennials that are ideal cut-flower neighbors. Pink zinnias, pink gomphrena, heliotrope, pink and white cosmos, and blue salvia are good annual-flower partners.