Home > Mojave Sunrise - J. Mak Oriental™
Mojave Sunrise - J. Mak Oriental™
Lily Bulb Description
Imagine you are standing in the Mojave Desert, it is winter, and you just experienced a rare snowfall. It is early morning and the sun is just now peeking up between two distant snow covered hills. A rare moment in time for you and a small handful of people who happened to be in the right place at the right time to experience a rarely seen phenomenon of nature.
'Mojave Sunrise' (the lily) is indeed a rare phenomenon of nature, one that was carefully planned and worked towards over a lifetime of hybridizing work. This rare and desirable beauty is the result of the hybridizing genius of one man, Johan Mak. Never has an Oriental hybrid such as 'Mojave Sunrise' been seen in the world of lilies. Yes, there have been white and yellow Orientals but always with either stripes or spots. Nothing as clean as a new desert morning snowfall being highlighted by a clear and bright sunny yellow. This lily is indeed the sun rising over the distant snow covered hills of a desert.
When asked of the parentage of this lily (should a hybridizer ask) Johan's reply was that he has for so many years been breeding select seedlings to select seedlings, there is no record of parentage other than selection numbers. Johan, a consummate perfectionist, has over the years discarded lilies that were far superior to many introductions coming from Holland. A lily from Johan gives you the assurance that it has passed the most stringent of tests for the garden. Holland selects for greenhouse / forcing requirements, garden performance is of no concern. Johan selects for performance in your garden as for him, only the best of the best will carry his name.
On June 28 of this year, the thermometer showed 116 F. in Scio, Oregon where Mojave Sunrise was in full bud at the time. Having a white base color, this normally would have been of concern for a new variety that had never been subjected to such intense sun. This is where the idea of a desert was born as being a part of its name. Upon opening two weeks later, the flowers were perfect, totally free of any feared sun damage. Even at that, we always recommend that orientals be given a little light shade in the afternoons in areas of high summer July heat. 'Mojave Sunrise' is a July bloomer and should top out at about 4 feet after settling in.
Bulb Size - Our standard for bulbs of this lily cultivar ranges from Premium-size (16/18 cm) to Exhibition-size (over 20 cm).
Classification: Oriental Hybrid Lily (USDA Zones 7b-9, lows to +5 F. Winter mulch recommended in the colder climates)
Stock # 7313 - 'Mojave Sunrise' - Unspotted White / Yellow Oriental Lily
J. Mak Oriental ™ is a trademark of Mak-Leek Inc.
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