August? Already?

Toad Lily

     It's amazing how fast summer seems to fly by, and with everything being so busy, it has been hard to find the time to write.  ...on top of that, Google has not been letting me sign in properly to the replies ... I have had a few people posting comments and I've replied to them all, but for some reason, they are not posting .... so to those of you commenting, I'm sorry for the lack of replies....but I do see them and appreciate them!!  I hope I figure it out.  ...Bernie, that little yellow iris photo was the iris you sent me a few years ago .... I love it!!
     So there are a few things I want to catch up on ....  We've done so much work this year ... expansions everywhere, plus a new rock garden in the front of the walkway.  I didn't really plan on this garden, but I had a large round pile of half stone and rock, half mulch and decayed branches .... this was created from the piles of mulch and rock that had been dumped here for the past couple of years for projects .... what wasn't used, was gradually piling up .... so .....  it got spread out and turned into a rock garden.

Another name for a rock garden is usually an Alpine Garden.  The plants gorwn here are usually found in rocky terrain, where delicate plants can't grow.  So you want to plant things that fit the style and can grow in your rockiest of soil....where actually, there is more rock than soil ... so you can imagine how tough these plants need to be.  Sedum is a great choice for filling in the spaces.  Also called Stone Crop, it grows in through rocks and stones, spreading out as it goes.  There are all sorts of sedum types, from sprawlers to tall flowering ones.  The more you add into your rock garden, the more interest you create.

I' ve also added some lavender, candytuft, and salvia....  and will continue to choose more plants for it as I go.  Since this photo, it has been finished with more rocks and boulders, which we've found along the rocky creek just up the road.  ...So, I will get more photos of this garden put up as it progresses.

Let's Talk Lilies!    

.... because like iris and roses, they are among my top favorites.  I've started to collect lilies, both asiatics and orientals .... but it is the orientals that capture me....big tall stalks, wide beautiful blooms, heavy floral fragrance, big showy colors ..... wow.

    Oriental lilies are a large hardy bulb.  Plant them in the spring or fall, they bloom in late July to mid August.   There are several named varieties each with brilliant colors and patterns.  They do grow tall, once established ( 2-3 years) so keep them back into your beds so they can tower up and over the other plants.

So here are some photos of some of my orientals ....

Acupulco Pink

Stargazer

Arabian Red

Tiger Woods

Oriental Lily Tree Hybrid

Tiger Lily Confusion

     Of course, there are many kinds of lilies.  But Tiger Lily is the most confused of all of them.  A lot of people call any type with spots "Tiger Lilies" .... actually, I've heard all sorts of lilies being called tiger lilies ....  but most of the time they are pointing out a day lily or an oriental with spots.  If you google "image of tiger lily", you'll see just how confused most people are .... you'll see orange asiatics, orange daylilies, etc ..... All of those orange native lilies you see growing all over the roadsides and in people's yards ..... a lot of people call these tiger lilies ....  but they are just a type of native day lily. 

 So what is a true tiger lily??  Lilium tigrinum originated from the far east and has upside down curvy petals.  It is indeed orange with black spots .... and here she is.....

Gorgeous, long, lengthy and really carrying no fragrance, this is the real thing.  I planted this one 2 years ago, it was young, and finally just got its first blooms this summer.  It was definitely worth the wait. 
So now you know the difference and next time you see someone point out a false tiger lily, you'll know!!

Asiatic lilies differ from orientals, they bloom earlier in the summer, carry no fragrance, are short and smaller and have stronger, stocky stalks with smaller leaves.  They are great for front displays in the garden or to fill in spaces through out the center.  Nothing beats them for big bold color.

Although they are different, all lilies require the same kind of care.  Sunny location, rich soil, a little fertilizer and adequate watering.....not too much.  They are reliable at coming back each year and are very low maintenance.... just cut the stalks short after blooming is done. 
Plant your bulbs in spring or fall, but I believe that fall is the best time for planting them.  This gives them a full year to adapt to their new location and be strong enough to give the best blooms.  Sometimes planting in the spring will require you to wait for the following summer to enjoy the flowers. 

I hope you enjoyed the liles~~