Orientals - Lilies, that is

Opening day for Lillium 'Casa Blanca' 

Late July is when the Lillium 'Casa Blanca' finally blooms with its intoxicating scent. It is an old favorite of gardeners and was an old favorite of Frank, who planted it in the church garden many years ago. I have already shared shots of this lily everywhere I could.

The backdrop for the lilies includes annual blue salvia and red dragon wing begonias, but just outside of this photo frame, patches of bright yellow tall African marigolds are adding a bright note to the garden. So even though pink predominates in much of the garden, we have the primary colors well represented as well.

There are four main lilliums, the easter lily, the asiatic, the trumpet and the oriental, although a recent hybrid is becoming more popular, the orienpet.

I remember Frank bragging about the height and high bud count of the Casa Blanca lily at his condo. I hope he would be pleased that the Casa Blanca lilies have survived for years here at the church gardens that he dreamed up--and dreamed about all winter!

Right next to the Casa Blanca is a pink lily with a name unknown to me and not nearly as stunning. I photographed it after the sprinklers had spread the stain of its pollen. I was a day late and even though these flowers last a few days (unlike DAYlilies), it is ideal to photograph them at their peak--when they first open.

Another oriental beauty