The Lilytopia exhibition next week will feature tens of thousands of lilies grown by Dutch and American companies. Longwood Gardens, a large display garden in Kennett Square, PA, will host the event.

Many Dutch lily growers are participating. Dutch newspaper Agrarisch Dagblad writes that 500 cases with lilies were sent to the United States for the event. Dutch Ambassador Renée Jones-Bos will open the exhibition on May 21.

Inspired by the Keukenhof
The exhibition, which is open to the general public, is inspired by the Dutch Keukenhof. According to the organizers it will be the largest display of lilies in North America. In celebration of Lilytopia Netherlands carillonneur Gerard de Waardt will play Longwood's 62-bell carillon. De Waardt is the city carillonneur of Rotterdam, Schiedam, Maassluis, Tholen and St. Maartensdijk in the Netherlands; he will play on May 22, 23 and 24th.

The logistics are impressive. From the press release:

"At this point, the plan is completed and implementation of the show is well under way! We are using an estimated 50,000 stems of display-grade lilies. Display-grade lilies are the highest quality grade flowers—a grade rarely seen outside of the Netherlands. These flowers are grown every year for the Keukenhof “Lily Show” and starting this year the tradition includes Longwood Garden’s Lilytopia.

Lilies slated for a show need to be harvested at just the right time. Certainly lilies can be stored in refrigerated coolers, however longevity of the cut flower may be reduced. Therefore we are planning on installing lilies that were harvested just hours before in Holland. An extensive logistical network of breeding houses, warehouse and shipping facilities, airports, export agents, import and shipping companies, government agencies, and trucking companies have been lined up to ensure a safe and speedy transportation of the flowers."

Symposium for lily professionals
Professionals from North America and the Netherlands will conduct a symposium on May 24. Design demonstrations will focus on everything from proper handling to cutting-edge design trends. Growing seminars will explore the latest cultivation techniques, including pest and disease management, on lilies. Marketing seminars will offer techniques to boost consumer awareness and demand of lilies.

Lilytopia 2010
Longwood Gardens, Kennet Square, PA
May 21 through May 31, 2010