Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, July 28, 2014

Lilies in our Yard ---Part II

We didn't have many PINK PERFECTION LILIES to bloom this year due to a late Spring freeze where several plants got damaged.  Last year, it was this lily which bloomed the most... Many of you will remember Pink Perfection from last year!  (Photo taken on 6/22/14)
In June,  I published a post showing you 12 of the LILIES which were blooming in our yard... IF you missed that post,  click HERE to see it,  or look at it again!  Today,  I'll show you the remaining 11 different LILIES which have or are blooming now.  SO--as you can tell,  we had 23 different types/groups of Lilies to bloom this year.  Most are gone --or almost gone now!!!!  Sigh!

As I have mentioned before (MANY TIMES I am sure---ha),  we have a huge chipmunk/squirrel problem here.  AND those cute little critters LOVE to dig up lily and tulip bulbs and try to eat them (thinking they are 'special' nuts for them)... Sometimes they just move them to another place --and when we get a flower growing in an odd place,  we know who did it!!!!!  Sounds like fun to them I'm sure,  but it drives us bonkers --as we have to work so hard in our yard --while sharing it with the wildlife around... Fun fun!!!!  WELL---to make a long story short,  we have lost many of our Lilies  (and Tulips) through the years due to this problem!!!! Oh Well--tis LIFE!!!


I'll show you a variety today (some as singles,  some in groups,  and/or both).  Hope you enjoy our Lilies... Besides the Roses,  I think Lilies are my second favorite of all of our flowers (especially the ones with fragrance).. BUT--as you know,  I love them all--and love to have something blooming most all seasons!!!! Be sure to click on the photos for enlargements....


GOLDEN SPLENDOR LILIES --taken on 6/28/14;  I LOVE the YELLOWS of Summer.



GARDEN PLEASURE LILY (taken on 6/26/14); 



AMERICAN ORIGINAL LILY (taken on 7/2/14);  I captured this photo with the afternoon sun behind it...



Here's a double of AMERICAN ORIGINAL LILIES.. (taken on 7/5/14)



STARGAZER LILY  (taken on 7/3/14);  This is a popular Asiatic Lily which many people have or know about.  It is such a beauty!



A Group of STARGAZER LILIES  (taken on 7/9/14);   I love seeing the lilies individually--but ADORE them in groups like this... Do you?



SIMPLON LILY;  Taken on 7/14/14;  If you love WHITE,  this one is for you!!



Group of SIMPLON LILIES;  Taken on 7/17/14;  This was one of our latest to bloom --and there are still more blooms to come!!!!  This one is gorgeous in a large group.



A Lily named DIZZY!!!!  (Taken on 7/6/14);  Like Stargazer,  Dizzy is another Asiatic Lily.



Group of DIZZY Lilies;  Taken on 7/10/14;  I absolutely love this lily.. It's guaranteed to make you SMILE ---or should I say,  it will make you "Dizzy" with JOY!!!



Lily named TOUCHING;  Taken on 7/5/14;  This cream-colored lily with its reddish insides is just so pretty.  As you'll see from the next photo,  this is the lily which bloomed the MOST in our yard this year...  AND--it's fragrance is FANTASTIC.  After Pink Perfection got damaged,  Touching decided it was her time to SHINE--and she DID..



Huge Group of TOUCHING LILIES in our yard;  Taken on 7/6/14;   I have probably taken WAY over 100 different photos of these Lilies ---so you have and will see them featured on other blog posts I'm sure!!!! 



CANNA LILIES are NEW to our yard (and to me) this year.  A great friend gave me some --and since we have no more sun areas in our yard,  we put them in containers along the front of the house... MAN--those things are HUGE... I am so excited to have them...Right now,  four of the five are beginning to bloom.  I love their brilliant red color.   (Photo taken on 7/20/14);  Do you have Cannas????



An up-close and personal view of one of the CANNA LILYblooms (taken on 7/18/14);



BLACK BEAUTY LILY in our yard;  Taken on 7/20/14;  Until I did some research,  I thought this was another 'tiger lily' with a different color---but it is not.  It is an Oriental Trumpet Lily.  (The Tiger Lilies are orange with black spots --and we used to have them... Guess the Chipmunks and Squirrels really enjoyed those bulbs!!!)


LOMBARDIA LILY;  taken on 7/1/14;  Along with Stargazer and Dizzy,  Lombardia is an Asiatic Lily.  I absolutely LOVE the color of this one... Do you?



LOMBARDIA LILIES (taken on 7/5/14;  I saved this one until LAST today since it truly is my favorite Lily of this season--even though several others are a close 2nd...  You almost have to see this Lily to appreciate its color.  It is VERY unique --and almost looks as if it would glow in the dark!!!!!!  Such a beauty!
Hope you enjoy seeing the remainder of the Lilies in our yard...  I was talking to George about my love for Lilies ---and he expressed his love for Daylilies... WELL--I too love the Daylilies... AND --since the critters don't bother the Daylilies much (except for deer which will bother most everything IF you let them),  we have many more Daylilies than we do Lilies.  (I counted 55 different varieties of Daylilies as opposed to our 23 varieties of Lilies.)   SO---SEVERAL more Daylily posts are upcoming sometime....

NOW---let me know your favorite Lily featured today!!!!!  I'd love to know!  Thanks.

Have a wonderful Monday and I'll see you on Thursday.
Hugs,

48 comments:

Annie Jeffries said...

I know those little stinkers can be so aggravating but I just can't stay mad at squirrels for very long. Their antics provide hours of pleasure, too.

eileeninmd said...

We have an on going battle with the squirrels.. Love your collection of lilies, they are all gorgeous. Have a happy Monday!

Jeevan said...

Absolutely lovely capture on the colorful lilies... each exposes its unique beauty! I liked the Asiatic Lilies, esp. the stargazer and dizzy are awesome. I have seen canna lilies grown as decorative plants here and had few pictures of them.

diane b said...

Its too hard to choose. They are all gorgeous, 55 varieties thats amazing. You sure have worked hard to make such a beautiful garden and I can imagine the frustration with the wild life.

Arkansas Patti said...

Who knew squirrels were gardeners? Cute but I am sure annoying.
Goodness that first picture of Dizzy was a bit sinister looking:))
My favorite this time was Golden Splendor.

Beatriz said...

Oh, Betsy
I love lilies in all colors!
You're very careful with your garden, and flowers thank with their splendor each day, it's amazing!!!

Hugs

Bia

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello JOY!!! WOW what a very lovely collection of Lillie's.. They are truly very lovely, I do love your Group of aorta white Lillie's. They are so impressive. Hugs Judy

George said...

It's really impossible to choose a favorite. I guess my favorite lily is the one I'm seeing at any given moment. But Touching was definitely spectacular this year.

The Furry Gnome said...

I like the group of stargazer lilies the best. We can't grow these lilies, because the deer eat them before they bloom, but they don't seem to bother the daylilies. No squirrels, but lots of chipmunks, deer and the dreaded groundhogs here. It's a constant battle.

Unknown said...

Beautiful lilies you have! ! I can only imagine the scent when all of them are in bloom. Enjoy your day@

Sylvia K said...

Such gorgeous lilies and such beautiful colors! I think the Canna Lily is my favorite and I love your "up close and persona" capture!! Hope you have a great new week, Betsy!!

Linda P said...

Your lilies are spectacular and they make a wonderful display in your yard! I do love the white lily but I can see that the others are also lovely with different hues and markings. I also like the canna lilies because of their leaves. They look very tropical. Hope you're coping with the hot weather. My husband and I love it so long as we can rest and stay in the shade when out and about.

Small City Scenes said...

They are all beautiful, Betsy. I would be hard put to pick a favorite. Thanks for sharing. MB

Jim and Sandie said...

You expect us to pick just one? Not happening, lady. They are all so beautiful we can't possibly choose. My sister is fighting the deer over her flowers and the deer are winning.

From the Kitchen said...

Gorgeous! Tell George that the Stella d pro is Crown Point's city flower and they are blooming all over town!

Best,
Bonnie

From the Kitchen said...

Make that stella d oro.

Busy Bee Suz said...

They are all special, but my favorite is the Stargazer. It is the flower that I used in my wedding bouquet!!!
I can't believe those sweet little innocent squirrels cause such a ruckus. :)
XO

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I like the dizzy the best, funny name. I have some canna lilies that need something, not doing well this year

Ginny Hartzler said...

Stargazer and Simplon today. NOW I know what these flowers are that are everywhere around here. Canna Lilys!!! Thanks a lot, now I know!

Neal said...

All of those are very beautiful but if I had to pick one it would be the Dizzy Lilies.

DeniseinVA said...

I was wondering if these beauties were on a deer's menu. I can understand your frustration with the critters if they keep eating them. They're really impressive Betsy.

Thanks for visiting. In answer to your question about how this trip of ours was organized, Gregg did it all from start to finish. He began the process about six months ago and did it all on line. Little by little everything just seemed to fall into place.

Terry and Linda said...

Your yard is amazing! Outstanding, really, my dear friends!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Our photos said...

I love lilies. Very nice !

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Sorry about the furry little guys chomping, and moving things around. You know I do like the Chipmunks and Squirrels. Your "Dizzies" are wonderful lilies. I had Canna Lilies in my childhood yard in Los Angeles. Mom love 'em and they grew about 4' tall will boldly colored blooms. Very tropical plant. Have a super good day tomorrow!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Those trouble making squirrels! You have beautiful flowers.

happyone said...

Can't pick a favorite. I think they all are!! : )

Lady Di Tn said...

WOW! NO DOUBLE WOW! Thanks for sharing Peace

Shug said...

Gosh...all of these flowers are so, so pretty!! I know the fragrance from the lily's are so sweet.
so y'all have chipmunks....aren't they those tiny little things that look like squirrels. Loving your yard!!

Connie said...

The Touching Lilies are my favorites, Betsy, but they are all fabulous. Great photos!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

don't get me started on squirrels they are not friendly to me. ) :

gorgeous blooms!! so fun. i just am always amazed by all your hard work. you & George really do have an amazing yard.

no we have not been to both the waterfalls at Old Man - i need to get to the other one it was so so busy there. another trip we will make it there. ( :

Ruth Hiebert said...

I think the Lombardia would come close to being a favourite,but as I've said before,my favourite is often the last one I saw.They are all gorgeous.

Betsy said...

Yours is the second post I've read today talking about the squirrels and the damage they can cause. I know they're cute and all, but goodness! They can sure cause some trouble.
My favorite today-and it's sure hard to choose-would be the stargazer lilies.
Blessings,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

How very gorgeous!

Marie said...

They're all so pretty! You know I love squirrels. :) I would find it fun to have flowers pop up at unexpected places. :)
hugs,
Marie

Peaches McGinty said...

Hi Betsy!
You have spoiled us! Lillies are so beautiful, definitely one of my favourite's - as I am from England I am fascinated by the critters who visit you, chipmunks, squirrels and deer! innocent looking creatures creating trouble, I understand! my rabbits demolish everything! we almost grew cucumber and rocket until the rabbits found them haha! my favourite lilly is the Golden Splendour, so beautiful! x x x

Judy said...

What lovely flowers! My favorite is the first pink one-just love that soft pink color. Squirrels have dug up most of my gladiolus bulbs, darn things!! If only they would just put them back once they discovered that they don't taste good....

Mary said...

I really love all the pink lilies...gorgeous!

linda m said...

They are all so gorgeous. I'm thinking of planting regular lilies instead of day lilies. My day lilies were very disappointing to me.

Hootin Anni said...

That "Dizzy" is Dazzling!!!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Oh my gosh, Betsy! It's impossible to pick a favorite...but the first one and the Touching would probably vie for 1st place if I were a judge. The Touching is pretty, but what really sold me was that you said it was very fragrant!

I just took a minute to read the stuff in your sidebar. Great quotes!

Have a good week...I'm still plugging away here but not making much progress. Story of my life. Ha!

Hugs,
Cheryl

Susie Swanson said...

Squirrels can be a pest. Your Lilies are out of this world gorgeous. Ours are beautiful but you have so many different ones and colors. i could never pick a favorite . I 'm doing some better. It's my Thyroid. I've had Thyroid disease for 22 years and it's got out of whack again and all of my hormones have gone crazy too. Even my female hormones. I'm in Full Blown Menopause for the second time even though I had a complete Hystrectomy 17 years ago. All of that was over with but it doesn't take much to throw everything off. They're giving me Hormone shots but no relief yet. I'm going to another Thyroid specialist and see if they can figure it out. I hate to put all of this on here but i wanted u to know. I don't like to broadcast everything on fb. lol Many thanks for the prayers sweet friend. hugs, Susie

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Your variety of lilies are all beautiful, Betsy.The canna lilies are amazing!

I caught a deer eating the lilies in my yard a few days ago. She was really thin, so I guess she was eating anything she could.

troutbirder said...

Well I love them all and wish I had more sunny area in our oak shaded yard. Your tales about the disappearing bulbs reminds me of the time our farmer neighbor wanted to know why I had planted tulips in his corn field adjacent to our front yard....:)

Linda said...

Lovely flowers! When we lived in the mountains, deer ate the daylily blossoms but not the leaves.

D said...

Hey, kiddo! not sure how long it's been but good to "see" you and know that you and George are doing well.

Lovely photos as always. Hope you two are staying cool! (((hugs)))

Pat Tillett said...

Wow! One beautiful photo after another. you have quite a collection Betsy. You have a VERY green thumb.

Small Kucing said...

such lovely colors. How did you ever have time to take care of them all. My tiny garden have already taken up majority of my time

Rohrerbot said...

I love them all, but I prefer Cannas....I'm a sucker for Cannas. Such gorgeous plants.