The weather is holding steady, temperatures as high as 30°C, although 20-25°C is more the norm. The few showers we have experienced have barely dampened the ground. Typically for this time of the year colour is sparse, so the lilies are welcome. Although they do not hold their blooms well in the heat. One thing I have noticed is the lack of butterflies. We were inundated with them earlier, particularly with the Peacocks. Although the eupatorium, now Eutrochium purpureum, is in flower, a tremendous bee and butterfly magnate, there are hardly any to be seen. This is the exact opposite of what happened last year so I am putting it down to the warm spring. For anyone who is interested I have taken the liberty to include a few links to some of my previous posts devoted to lilies that I have grown, with many more pictures.
The ever popular Lilium ‘Stargazer’. This is one of the first lilies that I ever grew and remains a favourite even now. I took this picture a couple of days ago but it is already looking worse for ware in the heat. Another Oriental, Lilium ‘Hachi’, which I featured a couple of weeks ago, is very similar with its upturned blooms but the flowers are notably much larger than those of ‘Stargazer’. Here is a link to Lilies Part 1 – Updated for more lily pictures.
I have shown Anemanthele lessoniana, pheasant tail grass, before but is now at its best. The leaves are taking on some red splashes which are complemented by the airy inflorescences floating in the breeze. I’ll be quoting poetry next!
I have never grown Lilium ‘Red Flash’ before and I am rather enamoured with the strong colour. Unfortunately the bottom bloom is past its best. For even more pictures of lilies that I have grown Lilies Part2 -Updated
A good old standby for late summer/autumn colour Rudbekia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’. I don’t think you can beat these simple “cone-flowers” to add a splash of colour, at this time of the year. I did have some echinaceas but they have decided not to come out to play this year. The splash of blue in the lower right-hand corner is Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ which, in my small garden, is becoming far too invasive. I intend to remove it altogether shortly. Even though I reduced it by half last winter. It is taking up far too much space for one plant, and I have plenty of stuff stuck in pots which can take its place.
Another strongly scented Oriental. Lilium ‘Casa Blanca’ is another old favourite of mine. I have to admit that I had forgotten it was there until I checked the label before it came into bloom. It is a true pure white and all the better for it. I am in a bit of a quandary at the moment. I have no room to plant the lilies out, so do I keep the pots overwinter and chance that they will come good again next year, which they should do. Or do I buy in some more to guarantee a good show next year. I will probably do both! Here is some more about lilies including Cardiocrinum giganteum. Lilies Part 3-Updated
I bought this hydrangea from Thompson and Morgan at least eight years ago when they were selling it as Hydrangea ‘Incrediball’. I think it is now better known as, and is certainly synonymous with, Hydrangea arborescens ‘Strong Annabelle’. My plant is still in a container, and although the blooms aren’t the size that they should be, it still puts on a fairly good display every year. I intended to cut it back hard last winter but forgot. I need to remedy that this year, and put it on a high potash diet to see if I can improve it. Re-potting would be ideal but it is in a very large container so I will continue to nurture it where it is for as long as I can.
This meme is hosted by Jim Stevens who is to be found with all the details and links to plenty of other blogs to enjoy at Garden Ruminations.
A Plantsman's World 
Fabulous lilies, I especially like Casa Blanca which I believe I once grew, whatever happened to that!?
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I think Casa Blanca is one of the best. It’s the purity of colour that does it for me.
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Your lilies are certainly amazing, how do you cope with the problem lily beetle? Like your hydrangea, have been thinking of getting that one, are the stems stronger so that the flowers don’t flop?
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I don’t know if it’s because nobody near me grows lilies, but I have only found one all year. I had problems in my last garden. They used to start on the fritillaries and move onto the lilies later. The hydrangea was bred to have stronger stems than previous. When mine was producing full-size blooms I never had a problem with them drooping. Even now I am amazed at just how thin the stems are that support the blooms.
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The Rudbekia was going to be my favourite this week, until you showed the stunning white lily. Just Wow!
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Thank you. It is a bit special isn’t hit. One of the bulbs produced a weak stem which collapsed, so I cut it and it is now providing scent in my dining room.
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Your lilies are stunning, no lily beetles or munching S&S in your garden!
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Thank you. One beetle all season but I have to keep an eye out for the dreaded molluscs!
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Your Lilies are amazing–all of them! I wouldn’t be able to pick a favorite; they’re all wonderful. 🙂 Your temps sound more like what we normally get here (Midwest U.S.) during the summer. I hope you’ll get some more comfortable temperatures soon.
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Thank you. I have a relative in central Florida, and when she tells me that they are having 90°F and 90+ humidity I just think how lucky we are.
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Lovely lilies, Casa Blanca is one of my favourites. I have ‘Annabelle’ is ‘Strong Annabelle’ a better form?
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Thank you. I can only assume that is the case. I would imagine that the improvement is in the stem strength, but can’t say for certain.
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Those lilies are wonderful.
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Thank you. Especially when you think I didn’t used to like them. I thought that they were too artificial looking then.
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They’re a bit addictive are lilies; there’s always a few in the catalogues that cry out to be grown, even when the room to do so ran out a few years back. They’re great in pots but quickly get bigger and produce pups, necessitating potting into much bigger pots.
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You are absolutely right Jim, they do tend to be addictive. There is something satisfying about seeing them flower. Mine will definitely have to stay in pots as I have nowhere else to plant them!
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Casa Blanca is superb, such a brilliant white, a real stunner!
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I think it is the purity of the colour that does it.
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Incredibly beautiful. Your ‘Casa Blanca’ is especially beautiful–such a pure, stark white. I have had ‘Casa Blanca’ growing on the west side of my house for years, but the lily’s flowering performance has gradually lessened over the past few years. I am guessing that the bulbs are getting crowded and that I need to do some digging and dividing–perhaps some feeding?
You mentioned using potash for your Hydrangea ‘Incrediball‘. I should probably do some reading on that subject. I have been getting into hydrangeas over the past few years, so should probably learn how to take care of them. I have an ‘Annabelle’ who has the typical floppy nature and tendency to push her boundaries. My son is coming for a visit soon. If he asks how he can help me in the garden, I’m pretty sure I will put him to work digging ‘Annabelle’. I have two friends who want pieces of it (even though I’ve pointed out her sloppiness), so I don’t feel too bad about letting her go.
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Yes, Casa Blanca is one of my all-time favourites. Regarding the hydrangea, as the name infers, I gather ‘Strong Annabelle’ is the improved form and this would relate to stronger flower stems. I am using a potash feed next year in the hope of restoring the flower size. I’m combining this with a heavy pruning which should improve the overall shape, as the bush has gone a bit leggy. I wouldn’t normally prune like this and have previously given a dressing of general purpose fertilizer in the spring.
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