Introducing Tiger Lily

I recently joined our neighborhood's social networking site on Nextdoor.com.  Lost pet notifications are very important.  Suspicious activity?  It's good to be informed.  Mechanic recommendations, sure, good to know.  But a resource for plant swaps too?!  YES! 

Through our site, I have met a couple new gardening friends that live right down the street.  A nice lady that I had never met before, Judy, posted that she was giving away free tiger lilies one day.  I thought 'for real?'  Tiger Lilies have been on my get list for years, and now they have come right here to me?  Sure enough, I headed directly to my new friend's house (with an exchange gift in hand).  I was not a greedy gus; I only took two little 8 inch stalks.  I decided not to clip these babies.  I planted them immediately, and I watered them in well.  I do not like babying plants (over-tending kills more plants than neglect), so I got them started and let them go.  Viola!  My first ever Tiger Lily bloom opened about eight weeks later (around Independence Day).  Here she is! 

Her botanical name is Lilium lancifolium.  This mezmerizing flower blooms off of a 4 foot stalk and shows about 5 or 6 blooms per plant, this year.  The blooms are downward-facing, and the petals are bright orange, curled back, and covered with little brown conspicuous spots.  Only one of the stalks is revealing bulblets in the leaf axes so far, but I intend to harvest/plant some in a different location of the garden this year.  Tiger lilies are bulbs that spread via rhizomes, so I am looking forward to a larger clump of these exotic-looking beauties next year.

Thank you again to my new plant-swap friend Judy!  This was quite a gift.

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Flowers in Art Series - Soda Pop

Since the very first paintings over 700 years ago, flowers have had been present in art.  They began as decoration to portraiture, scenes, and other main subject matter.  They quickly evolved into accents that expressed symbolism.  The red rose symbolizes love, the white lily for purity, and so on.  Flowers then started to be shown on their own in still life's and vase arrangements as decorative artwork.  They were finally represented as living plants that deserve the spotlight around the time of french impressionism.  van Gogh's irises and sunflowers stand out from the post-impressionistic era, and O'Keefe's close-up moderist selections move us forward.

I have become fond of flowers in art where they take center stage.  I am not as particular about the form or style of the art, and I don't require symbolism, so it is all interesting to me.  I found this piece for sale on a wall in a sandwich shop in downtown Ellijay, Georgia while I was having lunch with a good friend.  It caught my eye because the blossoms are 3-D and are made from cut soda cans.  It is almost 3 feet tall, and is sprinkled with glitter.  A super fun and striking piece, and the sentimental value is always a plus!

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How Every Iris Should Bloom

Let's face it, I am lazy when it comes to dividing irises.  My neglect combined with the voles feasting on the rhizomes, I am lucky to have more than one bloom on each variety of iris in the yard.  This tall, brick-toned bearded beauty, however, has somehow just decided to power through the obstacles and make a great show year after year.  I don't know her name, but she displayed over a dozen blooms for me this year.  Bravo!

And so, let me set a simple goal for this fall.  Divide the irises.  I have a particular two-toned plant that is sentimental, and she barely bloomed this year; Stephanie gave me a knockout white iris that has a purple beard.  It's not nice to neglect gift plants, and so I promise to do my duty.  Dividing them is easy, super easy, work.  Cut the foliage back to around 4 or so inches tall, dig up the whole clump, and just start working the rhizomes apart with your hands.  Replant, and watch for spring appreciation!   

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Jack-in-the-Pulpit

I have a mild obsession with the collectors greenhouse at Plant Delights Nursery, and the nurserymen warn that most of the selections are for 'advanced gardeners only'.  While I am an advanced gardener, I still kill plants, so I show caution and respect when making a purchase from this particular conservatory.  However, the absolute coolest and easiest plant to grow is the white-balled Arisaema sikokianum 'Silver Center'.  This plant does not bloom for long, and you need more than one (at a hefty price of $30 each) if you want more than one bloom.  I just purchased my second one this spring, so I am really hoping for several blooms next year.  This particular cobra blooms above the leaves, which makes it extra showy.  And the white ball in the center is a stunning contrast against the black pitcher.  The foliage stays tall and full all summer, and has a striking silver center for added interest after the blooms have long since slept.  A super hardy and showy winner!

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