Mid-July through mid-August, is “lily season” around here, and the Garden has a dozen or more fine varieties of garden lilies blooming in rapid succession. There are Trumpet, Oriental and Asiatic hybrids, as well as some of the true species, like  the native Turk’s Cap lily (Lilium superbum) in the Woodland Garden. The giant “Orienpets,” hybrids between Orientals and Trumpets are especially imposing, towering 6 and 7 feet high above their neighbors.

 

Although I’m something of a fragrance fanatic, I have to admit that the fragrance of most lilies is a little too much – intense, cloying, overwhelming - enjoyable from a distance! For some reason the ‘Casa Blanca’ lily, a very popular, easy-to-grow Oriental hybrid just captivates me with its scent. It’s potent, sophisticated and intriguing without so much of the overly ripe, almost animal muskiness that some of the others have. It’s sweet, even creamy, but with a hint of bittersweet chocolate. Maybe it’s the chocolate that has me returning to bury my nose in the blossoms each morning.

 

The flowers are immense – 8” across, white as snow, and substantial. The plants, blooming now in the Herb Garden here, are about 4 feet tall. Hawkmoths must appreciate the scent as well, because they are drawn to the flowers, even in the daytime. This is a perennial plant, which will return each year, if planted in moist, rich, well-drained soil, in a sunny spot, and lightly mulched for sun and frost protection. Although lilies make great cut flowers, I just learned that cutting the stems to bring indoors deprives the plant of important nutrients. I guess they are best enjoyed in the garden, if you don’t want to jeopardize next year’s blooms!