Saturday, August 02, 2008

Alive with Lilies!

July and August bring the lovely lilies, and we've had a glorious show.
This has been the summer of showers and thunderstorms, almost daily! It's been nice not having to water much, and we've had plenty of sunshine between the showers. The corn is as high as an elephant's eye! (......and it looks like it's climbing clear up to the sky.
Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day....stop me please!)
The only cloud on the horizon is that my computer has gone bung (as the Aussies say). Which means it's on the blink. That's right - it's not working! And you know what that means - Major Frustration! If it wasn't for my dear husband very graciously sharing his computer, I'd be up the creek without a paddle (as I told my sympathetic friend, Alice).
While we were away visiting our son, DIL, and the little grandsons last weekend there was a very nasty thunderstorm, and lightning struck very close to the 2 houses on our farm. It zapped the telephone and computer of our young neighbors in the tenant house, but spared ours. However, we needed repair work done to the electric pole in our yard because a bad neutral wire was causing low voltage to the house.
The work was done on Wednesday and we were without power for several hours. Afterward, when I tried to turn my computer on it wouldn't boot up. It had been working fine that morning. The word from our wise computer guru is that possibly the power supply needs replacing, or it could be a problem with the motherboard. Time will tell. Meanwhile, I've been adapting hubby's computer to my blogging and photo taking needs by adding programs. It's not quite the same, but will suffice until my trusty machine is repaired. I'm counting my blessings that there's another computer in the house!
Well, that's the black cloud, and my sob story.....
now let's move on to a brighter subject.....

The lilies are blooming profusely, although a few have almost finished their show.

In the lily garden the creamy yellow lily (no name) looks lovely beside the blue larkspur, and the hills are alive with (the sound of music...no) green! Posted by Picasa Do you ever have those nights (or days) when everything's a cue for a song? :) I'm afraid I'm having one tonight, but I'll try to stay on track now....

The lovely Persian Market brightens this garden.... Posted by Picasa

.....alongside the cheery Cherry Cheeks. Aren't those colors gorgeous? Posted by Picasa

You can also see Atlanta Moonlight here. I have this one in 3 places because the lily farm (Hawthorn Hill, near Cooperstown) was having a sale on her last year, so we bought a clump.


Here's Cleo putting on a wonderful show, surrounded by Gloriosa Daisies, which pop up wherever they feel like it. I move some around, but most I leave where they sew themselves. Below them, on the bottom right is an Easter lily, not quite blooming when this photo was taken.


Here it is a few days later.

Also in this photo are Cerise Queen yarrow (a rosey red achillea), and a "Pink Pixie" asiatic lily.


I planted 2 of these lovely lilies last year, after we'd enjoyed them for several Sundays at church. Posted by Picasa

Cleo is gorgeous beside the Cerise Queen yarrow.

Chicago Star lights up this hot colors garden. The blooms are about 9" from point to point.

She's a beauty. The silvery artemesia behind her softens the effect....

......just a little.



Amid the phlox on the other side of the driveway are the orange-gold By Myself, and the smaller Bali Hai. Posted by Picasa

Morning sunlight shining on By Myself...


......and Bali Hai.



I love the soft colors of Dallas Star. Posted by Picasa

Catherine Woodbury is a profuse bloomer. I have her in several places. She looks great tucked in the midst of Bee Balm (Monarda or Bergamot) and Gloriosas.


Isn't she pretty?


I'm very partial to pink :)


The cute, petite Butterpat has been overtaken by a clump of Spiderwort, which stowed away when we brought her home from the lily farm. I must dig her up when she's finished blooming, and separate the two.


Her blooms are just a fraction bigger than these petunias.

Joan Senior was a gift this spring from my friend, Marie. The spent blooms don't close the way other lilies do. They become translucent and take on a lacey effect. Interesting, don't you think? I love it!

Summerwine is such a beautiful shade. She's at the opposite end of the side porch garden from Joan Senior, and there's another clump on the other side of the steps. Posted by Picasa I should mention that the asiatics have finished blooming now. These photos were taken over the course of the past several weeks. The first of the daylilies began blooming in mid-July.

Here she is again down in the Fence Garden. There are 2 clumps buried among the perennials in the Lilac Garden as well, which need to be rescued. This lily has been in the garden for 18 years! She's one of the original first 3 that I planted, along with Catherine Woodbury and the creamy yellow.

Abstract Art glowing in the morning sun.

She was new last year. I have better shots of her, but they're buried on my broken computer. Luckily, all my photos were backed up on the external hard drive to Friday, July 25th, so only 4 days worth are inaccessible. But those include plenty of lily shots!

Mary's Gold has huge blooms! My dear hubby surprised me with her 2 years ago. I had admired those glorious golden blooms during our annual trip to the lily farm, but didn't end up bringing her home. Two days later he presented her to me. This man knows the way to my heart :)

I don't know the name of this orange beauty, but she was a gift from a dear, elderly gardening friend last summer, so I call her Jean's Lily. Posted by Picasa

Here's another gifted lily - this one from my sweet blogging friend, Country Girl (Apple's sister). We had a fun day together when she and Apple visited us last September, and many plants were swapped. This poor flower had been beaten mercilessly by yet another thunderstorm earlier in the day, which is the reason for its bedraggled appearance. I keep missing the opportunity to photograph the blooms, so I haven't yet managed to get a better picture, but this one at least shows you the lovely colors.

Oh, and here's the "Original Janice Brown" who turned out not to be Janice. A couple of my dear blog friends decided last year that they liked her better than the true blue Janice. Annie in Austin, of The Transplantable Rose, sweetly suggested naming her "Dear Kerri", but I think Annie's description - "heart of sunshine" is an apt name for such a beauty, don't you?

Here's the real Janice. She's a beauty in her own rite.

This luscious lady is "Unknown Purple". She was missing her tag at the lily farm, so she's another one that needs a name.

White Temptation came home with us last year too. Her spent flowers do the same thing as Joan Senior. Has anyone else noticed their whites doing this? Posted by Picasa

Charles Johnston has done well this second summer. Isn't he a glorious cherry red?

And now....ta da! - here are the newest additions to our lily family -

The lovely, tall and slender Lady Fingers, which I fell in love with last year, and wrote on my list to purchase this year.

Bama Music....also on my list. Posted by Picasa

Barbara Mitchell, an elegant beauty.


And last, but not least, the beautiful Chamber Music, a fitting finale. Posted by Picasa
There are a couple not shown because I can't access their photos at the moment, but hopefully I'll have them all back soon.
Wish me luck!
I hope to get around to posting and visiting more soon.
Meanwhile, I hope you're all enjoying your weekend.
Happy gardening!

31 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...[Reply]

Don't you just hate it when your computer goes kaput. We have been having computer troubles here lately too. UGH...

I just love your daylily collection. They look so good set in your flower beds.

Our daylilies are finished for the year. I do have a couple that rebloom. It will have to get a little cooler and more moist before much else happens with them though.

We are having good weekend. I hope you are too.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Sorry about your computer getting zapped and I hope all is well. I burn several photo CDs a year to save space but also to have a backup. Having an online storage place is nice too-like Flickr-love it there.
Outstanding display of lilies. I have about 15 and some of the same as you. I think it's nice you know all the names. It's neat you can go right to the lily farm and dig up a clump of what you like. Wonder if they have them here in PA.?
I enjoyed your interjection of songs too.

Giddy said...[Reply]

I'm so envious of your huge daylily collection and wish I had the room for more than I have.

We've been having difficulty with our satellite internet connection - it's so frustrating not to be able to access all my favorite garden blogs.

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...[Reply]

Kerri, your daylily collection is amazing you have so many beauties. I like it very much how you tuck them in between other perennials. It looks so good. I think their beauty is really enhanced by the flowers you chose as companions. I have never seen this lace habit on daylilies. It looks really good. It is lovely to come into your garden to admire your work and while reading your comments it is just like you would speak to me directly. Thank you Kerri.

Philosophical Karen said...[Reply]

Count the tepals (petals and sepals) on Jean's lily. If there are 7-12 it's "Kwanzo" and if there are 15-18 it's "Flore-Pleno". My friend gave me some daylilies like that two years ago, but they didn't send up scapes this year. I'm really disappointed.

Debbie said...[Reply]

Kerri,
Your daylilies are gorgeous! Wow, what a collection you have.

I have never grown a lot of daylilies, but this year I caught the bug and purchased several. Of course, the garden wasn't ready yet, but they don't seem to mind waiting a bit!

Sorry about your computer, but glad there wasn't more damage from the storm.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri :)
I visited your blog a few weeks ago and thank you for visiting mine and leaving a messsage. You asked about my "photography tips" ... girl, you don't need any tips from me! Your pictures are great! How lucky you are to have such gorgeous gardens to photograph ... every day. I read photography tips anywhere I can find them. When I mentioned my hibiscus shot it was after a recent read on letting the sun be in front instead of behind the lens .... and then I started taking shots from behind the flowers (or underneath). I was browsing a book by Scott Kelby ... simply called "The Digital Photography Book" ..there is a second edition now. I love his books ... easy to read and follow, and not pricey. Other tips are by way of ... internet classes and tutorials. Always lookin' ... always readin'. :) Email me if you want any of those web addresses ... I have a few bookmarked and would be happy to forward them to you! Keep up the lovely gardening .... and thank you for sharing your little corner of a beautiful world.

Reflection Through The Seasons said...[Reply]

Hello Dear Kerri......
What an amazing collection of Day Lilies you have. I visited a day lily garden whilst out staying with Betty...... it was truly breathtaking..... I never realised there were so many varieties. Marion

Unknown said...[Reply]

Hello,

I just happened upon your blog when searching pics on Google and had to leave a comment.

Your flowers are gorgeous! I love them! Someday I hope my garden is as lovely as yours. We've just moved into our house in the past 18 months and things are coming together slowly.

Thanks for sharing your delightful beauties!

~ Annie

Betty said...[Reply]

Kerri,
I was so pleased to have you drop by....our visit with Marion and John was wonderful just too brief...

Your lilies are gorgeous...all varieties...my husband grows day lilies also....Barbara Mitchell is in our garden also....

I'll be a frequent visitor in the future....God Bless...Betty

Jeanette said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri. Sorry to see your computers gone "Bung"hope you get it up and running soon..
OHHHH Your day lillies are beautiful as is your garden. the one you call easter lily we call Christmas lily, cause thats when it flowers here....haveagoodweekend

Susan Tidwell said...[Reply]

Strolling through your virtual garden sitting here at my desk, I can feel myself becoming calmer. You certainly have a green thumb, everything looks so lush and beautiful. Thanks for the stroll!

Annie in Austin said...[Reply]

Since you also have a real 'Heart of Sunshine', that works just as well as a tribute to you as calling the not janice 'Dear Kerri' would have been!

Your display is spectacular this year - love that new 'Lady Fingers' and the 'White Temptation' and wish 'Catherine Woodbury' could have survived in Texas.

I've grown 'Citrina' in 4 gardens since the late 1970's, taking a fans of it with me each time we moved so I know how glad you are to see your 'Summer Wine', 'Catherine Woodbury', and creamy yellow daylilies appear each year.

Sure hope the computer problems are fixable, Kerri - to a person who is used to everything being set up a certain own way, sharing a computer is on a level with sharing a toothbrush!

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Kerri,

I'm so sorry about the computer, but your garden looks so lush, and those daylilies make my heart go aflutter. Our daylily season has ended, and it saddens me.~~Dee

Pam said...[Reply]

I haven't a hope of emulating your rolling acres with my little town patchlet, but I love to see your flowers.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

You have a knack for designing a gorgeous garden that looks good in every season. You always have a multitude of beautiful new blooms.
The Charles Johnston is particularly attractive, a very rich red with that golden throat. The phlox with By Myself is a lovely combination. The blue larkspur with the creamy yellow against the rustic fence is another nice duo.
I hope your computer problems get sorted out without needing too many new parts.

Beth said...[Reply]

Kerri - those are exceptional photos of your garden. It's beautiful. I noticed you had a purple monarda - what variety is that. I'm a "collector" of monarda as it's one of the few plants the rabbits won't eat!

Judy Birmingham (Seeing Anew Blog) said...[Reply]

What a beautiful collection of lilies! I love the shot of the lilies by the wooden fence--makes me want to stroll around your countryside! We had a thunderstorm last night and a bit of rain this morning too. Looks like it will be showery all day--and hopefully cool! We visited Beatrix Potter's Hill Top Farm when in the UK -- you would have LOVED the garden! Have you ever seen the movie "Miss Potter"? Highly recommended.

Unknown said...[Reply]

Awww... I'm so sorry to hear about your computer, Kerri! Am keeping all of my fingers and toes crossed that you get it back up and running soon.

Thanks for the reminder that I really need to back up my picture files ASAP. You never know when these things are going to happen.

Susie said...[Reply]

Your daylilies are beautiful! Great photos and what a beautiful place to live.

Barbara said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri, your daylilies are absolutely great! I'm so glad that you could use the computer of your husband so we now have the possibility to see all your "beauties". But I also hope for you that your computer is ok soon again. Last year I also bought White Temptation but it dissapeared this Spring . I wonder why, perhaps mice? Your lilies are so lush, do they get any fertilizer? Here the daylily season is already finished. Therefor I enjoy so much to seeing yours!
Barbara

Elzie said...[Reply]

You have so many beautiful lilies. I guess they smell lovely too.
Hope you have a great day.
Love Elzie

Susie said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri,
So sorry to hear about your computer. I hope by the time you read this it's feeling "all better"
Your lilies are beautiful, each picture prettier than the one before.
Hope you're having a great summer and enjoying your beautiful gardens.
love and ((hugs)
xo

Charley "Apple" Grabowski said...[Reply]

I hope your computer guru has you fixed up! If John had to share his computer with me .... well lets just say neither of us would be happy. I'm glad Ross is willing to share :)

I'm sick of rain and cold, it seems more like mid Sept than mid August!

All your lilies have such happy faces! You have a wonderful variety of colors.

Roses and Lilacs said...[Reply]

Your lilies and daylilies are absolutely breath taking!!!

I love the split rail fence. Wondering where I could add a section. It really gives some architectural form and 'bones' to the little bed.
Marnie

Roses and Lilacs said...[Reply]

Oh, I forgot to add, your unknown daylily, the one you call Jean's, is a Kwanso. I have one and love it too. It was growing wild on the farm when I moved here.
Marnie

Mountain Mama said...[Reply]

I don't think I've ever seen such a large assortment of Lily's. They are all so beautiful I can see why you have pictures of them all.

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri, When you find time, could you go over to my blog, something is waiting for you.)
I had one more look at your beaut' garden. The daylilies are so fantastic and so many different ones. Tahnk you T.

kylieps said...[Reply]

Holy Leaping Lillies, Batman! You're flowers are beautiful Mum, but I'm starting to think you're a little obsessed. You've got a lilly problem. Do they have a "Lillies Anonymous" chapter up there near you?
xo

kylieps said...[Reply]

ps- don't you just hate it when you leave a comment and realize you've spelled a word wrong, and then used it over and over? argh.
for the record, lily.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...[Reply]

I think your "not Janice" might be 'Pink Lavender Appeal.' I have it and your photo looks just like it, but then there are so many Daylily cultivars out there that look so much alike, that it could be something else. I love the shot of 'Chicago Star' with the Artemsia & Daisy, it's so striking.