Clear And Crisp, Cold And Cruel

Yesterday was so nice here.  It hardly seemed possible that the clear night could bring on such severe cold.  We did our best to cover plants, but it was a frustrating exercise since most of them had been lured into lush growth making them too tall for the protection used the last time.  Early morning found ice on the windshield of the car and spikes of frost on the plants in the garden.  After a restless night, I made an early 5:15 am trip out to see what kind of disappointment we were facing.  I could see that it was bad and snapped a couple of pictures.  When I noticed the local skunk still out digging for Japanese beetle grubs headed in my direction, I wasted no time retreating into the warm house.

 Later when it warmed many of the iris were limp!!!

The covered Jack-in the Pulpits fared pretty well, but the uncovered Jack suffered.  We simply ran out of pails large enough to cover the plants.

With his pulpits limp from the frost you might say he was defrocked and left exposed.

Some lilies are more droopy than others.  One kind of Lily Regale stood up better to the frost under its protective plastic garbage can than the other.  Many plants have blackened leaves and then there are the peas.  That's enough for today!   I can't do more!   Perhaps tomorrow...

A Good Year For Lily Regale

This Chinese trumpet lily has faced serious weather damage in the past.  Now that we understand that protection from Spring frosts is absolutely necessary, flowers appear.  Placement in the garden has been made so that this prize can be protected in place.  No more Winter in a pot and Spring under a tarp for this one.
  

These massive bulbs did spent last Winter in two pots.  The bulb on the right divided itself into two bulbs and both flowered this year.  These three were planted in a prime location near the house equidistant from each other.

These smaller younger bulbs also deserved a good home.  Three were planted beyond the big three and one was planted in the center of the group.  A large tall plastic garbage can is on site ready to protect from frost.

Four additional bulbs were planted in two pots.  They will be planted in a central location where a tarp protects from frost.  A spot for these will have to be found when the garden is planted.

Lilies from seed is possible.  We have enough seed for a sizable planting but such an undertaking is beyond us.  The years required to see flowers from seed is likely greater than the number of years that we will be able to continue to garden here.  I could not discard any of the bulbs but all of the seeds hit the compost.

The seven bulbs planted near our bedroom window may fill the room with their sweet scent next July. Today we took action that may make that hope a reality.  

Wet Flowers And Bugs

With all this rain the garden is lush.  The plants have all the water they could want.  There are some beautiful flowers out there and there are lots of bugs.  It was my intention to take pictures of flowers , but I soon learned that every flower in this weather seems to come with at least one bug.  It's not much of a challenge to see the ants on this butterfly weed.  Maybe it's because the flower is wet but the color seems more vibrant than usual to me.

The bug on this Lily Regale is easy to see.  Perhaps this lily would look better with a bit more sun, but any  flowers are always welcome, especially Ed's lilies!

The Lilium farolito is shorter than usual this year, but the aroma when you walk past the plant makes up for any lack of perfection in the blooms and leaves.  The tiny fly on this flower is a little harder to see.

My first first flowering tobacco flower is open.  These plants come up from seed here and I love their  evening fragrance.  Hummingbirds are big fans of these flowers as well.  On the wet white flower even this teeny bug is easy to see.

Another plant that comes up from seed is this gorgeous mallow that I got from Ingleborg.  I'm always happy to see these beautiful flowers.  The bug here is really small, but this flower has one too.

The Art's Pride coneflower was a real surprise.  We were sure that this one was gone.  We saw nothing of it last summer.  The bug on this flower is  incredibly small.

It has been a real challenge to get a nice picture of my favorite pink poppies.  Rain knocks the petals off the flowers so easily, but this one is a beauty.  The bug on it is slightly hidden behind one of those beautiful, wet, pink petals.  If you click on the pictures to make them larger, you may find the bugs easier to spot.  I won't spoil the fun, but if clues are needed I will add them in a comment later!

Focus On Oriental Lilies

This Chinese Trumpet Lily Regale has been with us for three years.  Lack of past proper late frost protection has kept these lilies flowerless until this year.  In the past frost would blacken the newly emerged green tip.  Later a couple of new leaves would generate enough growth to keep the bulbs alive.  With proper spring care we finally have flowers.  These were well worth both the wait and the effort.  Pure white petals contrasted with the bright yellow throat please the eye.  Its scent is quite unlike that of any other lily.  Subtle sweetness pleases a nose brought near.   Proper care is in the future for Lily Regale.

London Lily was a free gift included with last year's order.  Three bulbs have become five full sized flowering stalks with several smaller plants growing at the base.  A faint fragrance combined with hardiness and a bright yellow color make this lily a winner.  The only problem presented is what to do with all of those bulbs.  Some will winter over in the new garden down by the road.

Who does not have a history with the Easter Lily?  This bulb was found this spring when we were preparing a bed for planting.  The neglected bulb was placed in a pot and only recently planted here.  Its short stem supporting a full sized blossom is comical in appearance.  The yellow pollen stains are now gone.  Bees harvested the pollen leaving us with a pure white flower.

It may be time to scale back our efforts with the Easter Lily.  We are at least three hardiness zones outside of its comfort zone.  Plants moved into the house in January displayed normal growth and flowers.  Even with frost protection these lilies have always survived outside but have never displayed normal growth.  Keeping enough for late winter forcing sounds like a sensible plan.

Camelot is new to us this year.  Three spring purchased bulbs were placed in a large pot.  The pot took its place on the wall just outside of the basement door.  When cold nights threatened, the pot was brought inside.  After June first, our frost free date, the potted mass was placed into the garden.  Age has made deftly handling three gallons of damp soil as a lump a bit of a challenge but it seems to be a workable option.  We could treat lilies as an annual, trading money for effort in dealing with the rigors of our frost fickle springs.  At the very least, spring purchased lily bulbs promise that we will have some July flowers here.