2007-07-31 Tiger Lily

Tiger Lily – My buddleia (butterfly bush) is just beginning to bloom, the rudbeckia (black-eyed susans) are in full swing and my tiger lilies have finally begun. The tiger lily is always one of my last lilies to bloom for the year and they bloom in the sun or shade, it doesn’t seem to matter.

Lilium lancifolium (syn. L. tigrinum) is native to eastern Guam, China, Korea and Japan. There are several species that call themselves tiger lily but this version is the most widely known.

Flowers are bright orange with black spots on a tall stem, between 5 and 6ft. It is one of a very small number of species that produce aerial bulblets, known as bulbils, in the leaf axils along the stem. These can be used to propagate the plant. Most parts of the plant are edible. Flowers on the plant last for a short period of time before they wither and are replaced by newer flowers.

It is said that tiger lilies are carriers of some disease that affects other lily species and it is recommended that they are not planted close to other types. However, I can’t seem to substantiate it anywhere, so I don’t know if is an old wives’ tale or the truth.

2007-07-23 A Little Hummer

A Little Hummer – I saw a hummingbird yesterday afternoon! I think I startled him when I turned on the sprinkler to water my fairy and woodland garden. I’ve never kept a feeder in my backyard before, because I’ve never seen any hummers. All the flowers I plant are to attract butterflies. I think that he likes my pink phlox and orange trumpetvine flowers. I’d better set up a feeder so I can keep him around a while.

2007-07-17 Rain at last, and a Frosty Diamond

Rain at last, and a Frosty Diamond – We finally got about 2-3 hours of steady rain this morning. It looks as though we may get a couple more days of rain as well. For the first time in weeks, I didn’t have to water some part of my garden.

Okay, the wonderful container plant I was trying to remember last time is a Proven Winner plant, Euphorbia “Diamond Frost”. This annual produces clouds of airy white flowers all season, is heat and drought tolerant and works beautifully in containers. Height: 12-18″. Full sun to part shade. My petunias and marigolds have suffered, but Diamond Frost and my chartreuse sweet potato vine are the best potted plants I’ve had this season. I finally replaced my hanging lobelia with plain old reliable geraniums for the front porch. They are a bright red and go with the red and white impatians in the large window boxes along the front steps.

I bought a number of perennials to put in the hummingbird and butterfly garden that I maintain at the Library. I found out about registering the garden as a monarch way station and though I think I have enough plants, just thought that I would fill it out with a few more recommended by the website. I sent the application in and should get a sign to post by the end of August. I need to borrow a digital camera and start taking pictures now while the garden is in its prime.

This program is through the University of Kansas at www.monarchwatch.org

Current flowers in bloom: balloon flower, sweet peas, phlox, reseeded morning glories, smaller hostas and trumpet vine. Blue chicory flowers and this yarrow type plant that has sticktite seeds that I have to pull from my dog’s fur.