Time for the Tall Lilies to Bloom

Every year for the gardener seems to be unique, and this one is no exception.  We had an especially harsh winter, which melted into a very short spring.  Then we had some summer hot days, and went back to cold spring days and nights.  As a result, the beautiful lilies got bortrytis blight, and everything i did couldn't get rid of it.  I'll let the flowers that are coming bloom, and then cut and destroy at least half of the stalks now, and the rest in the fall, and hope for more salubriuous conditions next year.  These lilies are about 6' high this year (the newer ones are shorter), and they perfume the air all around them.  We are very fortunate to have them to brighten our days.

More of the giant Lily

When Breck's sent the original advertisement for this lily, I lumped it with the ones for giant strawberries, tomatoes, etc. However, after letting the brochure lie around the house for a while, I decided that I couldn't lose anything by trying, so I purchased two bulbs, to be panted in the fall. Sure enough, just as promised, the first year, one stalk came up, and bore one lily. Last year, the stalk was a little higher and a little thicker. This year, this plant is a prize winner. It's partner, in another flower bed, didn't grow so tall, but it's coming. Trying to count the blossoms at the top of this one sturdy stalk is a challenge, and the fragrance is very vivid. So, last fall, I planted some partners. One is red - that picture has already been posted, one is the same as this one, and one is a pure yellow, edged with white. My lily bed is coming, making things more beautiful around here.

Supports for my flowers

Many times I have looked longingly at the fancy, expensive supports for individual tall flowers that the gardening catalogues carry. My oral hints have not affected Ron until I told him that I was going to order some, since they are now on an end-of-season sale. I know that wooden dowels are a short-term solution for my tall lilies that grow in front of the porch because even when I paint them, the part that is in the soil will disintegrate after a time. These particular lilies are in the shade until mid-afternoon, so they are always leaning westward, reaching for the sun. My creative husband left in the van, and, after visiting the metalworks on the west end of Preston, came home with rebar cut into appropriate length. Total cost of enough supports for my beautiful lilies and penstemon, $16. Cost of supports for two plants from the catalogue, $14.95 plus shipping. I do believe we are ahead of the game on this one, thanks to Ron, who loves to solve problems like this one. (More lily pictures tomorrow.)

P.S. Be sure to enlarge the photos so that you can see how well the rebar works. I used the green gardener's wonder tape that works a bit like velcro, but doesn't bite into the stems and sticks to itself.