Lilium (x) longiflorum 'Deuce' Butterfly Sparkle® - Easter Lily

The Lilium 'Deuce' or 'Butterfly Sparkle' is a LA hybrid (Lilium longiflorum and Asiatic) that stands out with its double, undulating orange flowers, both original and sophisticated. It is an impressive plant, tall in stature, flowering from late June, with its long and sturdy stem bearing several upright or horizontal flowers. A premium cut flower, more long-lasting than classic Asiatic lilies. 

The 'Butterfly Sparkle' Lily (known as "Papillon scintillant" in French) is a Dutch horticultural creation from Laan Flora Facilities B.V dating back to 2023. It is a bulbous plant with deciduous vegetation from the lily family. This cultivar is part of a group of modern hybrids derived from Asian species such as Lilium longiflorum, sometimes referred to as Easter Lily. These varieties are sought after in floristry as their flowers are long-lasting, and their bulbs can be forced in a greenhouse to advance flowering. 'Deuce' will reach between 1.40 m and 1.65 m in height. The plant will spread and thicken over time, with bulbs producing numerous bulblets through vegetative multiplication. Each dark greenish-purple floral stem bears a few orange-brown floral buds. The 16 to 18 cm diameter cup-shaped flowers have 6 large undulating petals and several smaller petals towards the centre. They are bright orange inside, with a slight reddish hue and a paler orange base. Some rare reddish-purple spots may be present. The outer side of the petals is a deep orange-red. The stamens and pollen are absent. The foliage is green, glossy, composed of narrow lanceolate leaves with parallel veins. The vegetation dries in autumn, while the bulb goes into dormancy. The bulbs are reserve organs with fleshy overlapping scales. The larger the bulb size, the more vigorous and floriferous the plant.

The 'Deuce' LA hybrid Lily flowers after 10 to 11 weeks of cultivation. It is possible to advance the flowering date by planting bulbs early in the season in a pot, in a conservatory or a temperate room. 

The 'Butterfly Sparkle' Lily is mainly used in floral arrangements, with white lilies ('Roselily Samuela', Madonna Lily) and orange-coloured roses ('Abbaye de Cluny') or white roses ('Annapurna') for example. In the garden, it can be paired with tall perennials such as agapanthus, Verbascums, and delphiniums. Winter protection, in the form of a thick mulch, is not unnecessary in very cold regions. The lilies prefer shade at their feet, and companion plants will help prevent the stems from tipping over in the wind.