Monday, July 17, 2017

In a Vase on Monday — Lilies from my garden!

What was I thinking? I've gardened here since 2005 and only just planted lilies this spring. WHY!? I couldn't tell you. I guess I thought they were difficult and demanding? Last spring a friend posted a question on Facebook, asking for recommendations of lilies to add to his garden. I started asking questions and decided when I attended the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle I would buy a couple from their vendor. I am so glad I did...

I'd learned I probably wanted to go with Orienpet Hybrids (a cross between Oriental and Trumpet Lilies) but all that went out the window when I saw the photo of the 'Kaveri'...

Then when deciding where to plant them I was at a loss. Long story as to why, but they ended up kind of tucked in next to the fence, behind the Loquat on one side and Hamamelis on the other. Not the best for garden enjoyment but perfect for cutting without guilt. After all they were basically hidden away, I had to liberate them!

They're even better than the photo promised. Creamier, less "tart"...

When it comes to big sexy blooms like this you don't need anything else in the vase...

Just the lilies.

My other purchase was 'Conca d'Or', because I think that's what my friend Heather shared with me last July (here)...

I've been watching them develop and propping up their heavy buds. I was surprised to find one of them open on Sunday morning.

Since it refused to stay where I'd propped it I practically had to cut it, right?

This one...

And this one, are staying semi-upright in the garden.

Honorable mention to this, my only other lily, an inherited (with the garden) 'Stargazer'. It always blooms for my birthday which is later this week. Looks to be on schedule!

The cut 'Conca d'Or' stem...

Since Andrew was already a little freaked out by the orange stamens on the 'Kaveri' (stain potential) — which are minuscule in comparison to these — I removed them before taking them indoors.

The color contrast with the orange stamens would have been nice, but c'est la vie. There's still a lovely contrast between the two different colored blooms.

Oh and the 'Conca d'Or' brings that lovely lily scent into the house.

I'm in heaven and will definitely be planting more lilies next spring, I'm hooked! Visit Rambling in the Garden for links to all the bloggers sharing their Monday vases....

Weather Diary, July 16: Hi 74, Low 56/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

30 comments:

  1. They're such gorgeous things. 'Conca d'Or' is a favorite of mine and the colors of 'Kaveri' are divine! Next NWFGS, more lilies for both of us!

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    1. Imagine if I'd started years ago how many I'd have now. Oh well, yes...more lilies in 2018!

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  2. AnonymousJuly 17, 2017

    Gorgeous colours!

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  3. I'm so glad you love your lilies! When I planted lilies in my front garden, I chose several with that same color scheme as 'Kaveri,' figuring one would be a clear winner. But they all just took off and are thriving. I like the creamy edge on yours. I hope you plant more, they really are the most carefree plants in my garden. Andrew is right to worry about the stamens.

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    1. Thank you for the part you played in encouraging me! I know how dangerous that pollen can be, but there's nothing for them to touch in the center of the dining table...or at least I hope not.

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  4. AnonymousJuly 17, 2017

    Oh happy birthday for later in the week, Loree! I have made an effort with lilies this year too, just Asiatic and just in pots, but I shall be adding more next year as well - so it's especially interesting to read about your experience. The creamy white ones are delightful but there is something indefinably attractive about Kaveri - thanks for sharing

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  5. Nice selections! Despite my love of all yellow flowers, I'm utterly enamored with 'Kaveri', which is gorgeous. All sightings of Asiatic lilies cause me to issue a deep sigh of combined appreciation and frustration, as I've found them very difficult to grow here. However, given my newfound success with growing dahlias in my cutting garden, maybe next year I need to try planting some lilies there. I'm beginning to think the cutting garden may become a very crowded space...

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    1. I am so jealous of your cutting garden! Mine consists of a stock tank in the driveway, full of (yet to bloom) Zinnias.

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  6. Excellent colour choices, so different but both stunning. I can imagine the scent.

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    1. Thanks Alison! I was concerned the scent would be over powering, but it's perfect.

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  7. I think your lilies are fabulous. Great photos.

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  8. Beautiful, and beautiful. The towering lilies were a highlight of the Portland Fling. Here they survive for a year or two, and grow knee- or waist-high.

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    1. I am concerned about their longevity, since they're not placed in prime locations...still I figure if that 'Stargazer' can come back year after year...

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  9. AnonymousJuly 17, 2017

    I bought that same Kavari lily for the first time at the NWGFS as well and it is a stunner. And about as stupid easy to grow as it is possible for a plant to be. I definitely want more!

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    1. Congrats on a great choice! So are your colors more like the photo, or like the ones on my blooms?

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    2. AnonymousJuly 18, 2017

      This was them when they first opened - https://www.instagram.com/p/BWJxscWl8Ei/?taken-by=aarmstro0

      and then a week later, at sunset with no direct light - https://www.instagram.com/p/BWRvlTvFtNG/?taken-by=aarmstro0

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    3. Thank you! That's kind of crazy, how different yours are from mine, and from each other. Mine ended up getting a bit of shade, maybe that's why.

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    4. AnonymousJuly 18, 2017

      Huh, my colors are backwards from the photo. Must be a different one, I was sure it was the Kavari.

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  10. AnonymousJuly 17, 2017

    Happy Birthday! The lilies are gorgeous. I avoided them for a while because deer love them so much. Finally a fence has helped discourage outright grazing in the borders so I added some back this year.

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    1. Thank you Susie, and thank god for deer fences!

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  11. Gorgeous lilies! I live in Kirkland, and have found, much to my surprise, that many lily varieties are easy and reliable. Even Cardiocrinum seems at home in my yard, which I am still coming to terms with. You might want to check out Forever Susan, since it has a lot of orange (along with very dark purple centers). It is thriving and multiplying, great for sharing with others.

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    1. Have your Cardiocrinum bloomed? Ah those seed heads...

      I've seen a lot of photos of 'Forever Susan' in the blog-o-sphere recently. I have to say I'm not in love. I wonder if they're better in person? I'll have to go on a hunt...

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    2. If you don't like the photos you've seen, you probably won't like them in person either. I was hoping for more purple myself when I planted them, but they are mostly orange, and the purple is so dark it looks almost black. I only brought them up because of the orange angle.

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    3. Forgot to answer your question, yes my first cardiocrinum bloomed 2 years ago (9 feet tall--I kept the stalk--so awesome), and now has 3 large offsets, which I think may bloom in 1 or 2 years. I have another one in a different spot that I'm hoping blooms next year.

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  12. I keep buying more and more but I never cut them. What a great idea to put them off-stage so to speak. I'm stealing it.

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    1. I think I love them even more in the house than in the garden...(don't tell anyone)

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  13. The Rita Hayworth of the garden!

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