Conca D'Or Lilies

The enormous outward-facing bloom of the Conca d'Or Lily reveals that this is a Lily to be reckoned with. If the flowers seem almost unreal in their overzealous display, it may be because they are recent cultivar hybrids in the Liliaceae family. The Conca d'Or Lily is classified under the Orienpet (or Orientpets) breed; a series of lilies crossbred between Oriental lilies and trumpet lilies.

The crossbreeding of lilies resulting in the Orienpets offers a flower with "vigorous growth habit", and an expanded diversity of colors, textures and fragrance. (1) The Conca d'Or seems to have been an attempt to upstage the more common Oriental Hybrid, the Stargazer Lily, giving a sweeter, more subtle perfume.

The Conca d'Or, which earned its classification as Lilium L. oriental hybrid, was first bred by cultivators in Rijnsburg, the Netherlands in 1995. The patent for the hybrid was issued later in 2003 and it wasn't until April 2006, that the patent was published. (2)

The success of the Conca d'Or allows this particular lily to grow in USDA zones not normally conducive to oriental lilies and trumpet lilies. They are making their way into gardens in North America and can provide a distinct but not entirely overpowering fragrance.

While they can endow a garden with a large flowering display, the use of Conca d'Or lilies in cut flower arrangements is equally impressive. Their pale white petals with pale yellow centers make them a gentle addition to sympathy and funeral arrangements, but with a showy, expansive bloom still command a focus in the arrangement.

Their perfume is undoubtedly of the lily variety, yet the Conca d'Or doesn't cloud a room with its floral pomposity. It has more of a passing scent that grabs your olfactory upon approaching the flower, not by just entering the room. This is a concern for some with Stargazer Lilies, as when they open can take over the senses. Stargazers can even pursue a full on attack for those with certain allergies.

While it's not entirely certain that the Conca d'Or has the same effect as the Stargazer, it is something to keep in mind. Most hospitals won't accept flower deliveries that contain Stargazer lilies, and will most likely take the same precaution if it's a Conca d'Or.

This is just a word to the wise, but don't let it dissuade you from offering the Conca d'Or as a gift of elegance, sympathy or commencement. Mainstreet Flower Market in Parker, Colorado has the Conca d'Or lily on special this week. The lilies are supplied by Stevens and Sons wholesale florist, who is the largest grower of Oriental and Asiatic lilies in the Rocky Mountains. (3)

Sources:
(1) http://www.freepatentsonline.com/PP16479.html
(2) http://www.freepatentsonline.com/PP16479.html
(3) http://www.stevensandson.com/cuts/cuts/oriental_conca_dor.htm