What's Looking Good In July 2013

Fab pics, I really must get some tree lilies for next year!

 

Colocasia

 

You took the words out of my mouth longk

 

Jealous! I wish I could get my Colo's to Man-Up :(

 

I don't know how much Tree Lilies cost in comparison to other Lilies, all I know is that my Lilies which AREN'T Tree Lilies grow to ridiculous heights much to my annoyance! The "worst" is Acapulco which is about to flower, coming in at 8ft yes 8ft I've just measured them, not far behind is Miss Lucy and Shocking which are a mere 6 odd ft. Mine are grown in huge Whisky barrels as Lilies don't do well here planted in the soil. Maybe it's the remnants of the Whisky which affects them?! more likely tho is they are growing in pure compost which retains moisture very well. Lilies seem to like lashings of water and then some! I get a cricked neck trying to look at the flowers and wish they'd grow shorter, I purposely haven't watered mine in the hope they'd grow shorter, despite no rain for 13 weeks it didn't stop them.I'll maybe post photos of the brutes when they start to flower.

 

Hi silu, I bought 9 bulbs for £13 last year (3 different varieties), the info said that they would reach 6ft in their second year (which they aren't far off to be fair) and ultimately after 3-5 years 8ft-10ft

 

Isn't "Tree Lily" just marketing speak for Oriental Trumpets - many of which grow in excess of 2M, and most will manage 1.5M I reckon.

 

My thoughts exactly Kristen!

 

OK, in that case I think it worth banging this drum again for anyone who may be interested

I've had really good (i.e. large, plus great results) Lily bulbs from
http://www.hwhyde.co.uk/lilies/oriental-trumpets/
their Oriental Trumpet lilies are £1.50 each (most varieties) if you buy 5 or more (although I expect that postage is on top) and over 40 varieties to choose from (check the blurb on each if max. height is what you are after )

I did a quick spot-check for prices:

T&M specific varieties from £3.33 each. 6 named varieties available. Best price was a job lot of 18 bulbs at £1.40 each.

vanmeuwen.com has 9 named varieties £2.50 - £4.00 each. Mixed varieties collections around £1.50 each.

qvcuk.com £2.60 each for a mixed varieties collection

jparkers.co.uk marketing department calls them Goliath lilies. 5 varieties £1.78 (9-off) or £1.33 for mixed collections

I even managed to find a USA site with "enhanced" marketing which called them ORIEN(tal trum)PET lilies

Strikes me the specialist seller (on a sample-size of ONE !!!) is a good bet, which is a nice surprise.

 

The flowers of my Indian Bean are beginning to open and are looking really lovely.

 

What a lovely tree GA. That green is so "easy on the eye"* isn't it,
Jenny
* borrowed from Woo

 

I love it Jenny but it's getting so big - I keep waiting for the neighbours to come round complaining!

 

Rosa Jude the Obscure - strong fruity fragrance which is delicious


Rosa Mutabilis


First bloom off the young Clematis Florida Sieboldii


More Clematis - Warsaw Nike and Scartho Gem

 

GA looks lovely, my purple one no flowers yet , one grows up by mums its set in the middle of the drive with a small wall encircling it look amazing and has the biggest leaves I have seen on a IB tree , do you think it does keep the gnats away like they state in your gardening catalogue ?

Spruce