Lilium ‘Buff Pixie’ is the first of that genus to bloom here every year. It is time once again. My how it flies by, the time that is.
In fact this topic was one of our early posts when the blogging began. As each plant bloomed, a story was written to accompany the images. This shot from that post, click here-First Lilium And Other Tidbits to view it, reveals only three buds, update, make that four buds on the stalk in 2008. (The photos on the old blogger Faire Garden posts can be enlarged by clicking as can the first few months of WordPress Fairegarden shots before we began shrinking the size in early 2009). The opening photo shows a dozen buds for 2010, if the counting is correct.
Reading the old post again it seems clear that the first writing about a plant is better than later follow ups. Whether about Hellebores, Azaleas or muhly grass, the best words and thoughts come to mind once and only once. Afterwards it is a mere rehash.
All the interesting background bits have been used already, explaining the providence of the plant and personal asides about it. At least with each passing year there seem to be more blooms. It was hoped that there could be a shot of them all open at once for a bouquet appearance.
But it was not to be. High, near ninety degrees Fahrenheit temperatures sped up the process. The earliest to open faded and shriveled before they all could bloom together. Still, Buff Pixie is a wonderful splash of color in the sea of green daylily foliage before the next phase of the late spring to early summer flowering.
Whilst Buff is always the first, this red asiatic from a mixed bag is always second to open here.
It opened in the same way as Buff, the first blooms shriveling before the later ones opened. I guess that is just the way of it. The red was moved from the original planting spot on the daylily hill to join the other dark hued lilies that reside in the black garden. Reds and oranges make fine companions to the dark leaves of a purple leaf peach tree and Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Summer Wine’ among others.
More lilies are added each year for we so love the punch of color and vertical accent they provide in addition to their being nearly foolproof. They are planted in the fall or spring as bulbs and will return year after year with larger stalks and more flowers. Babies can be gathered from the base as well. See this post-How To-Lily Bulblets to learn more about that.
No name for this one, but it is most likely an asiatic due to time of bloom and lack of fragrance. It came from a large clump at daughter Semi’s garden, a shovelful of bulblets and even a daylily root freebie. The daylily has yet to open so the identity of it will be a surprise as was the colorway of this lily, the third in the bloom succession. We like surprises.
Not a true lily but with the common name of foxtail lily, Eremurus roots have been planted here three different times.
This batch of three planted in the fall of 2009, a mixture of Ruiter hybrids, is the first time ever that a bloom has appeared. Research showed that excellent drainage was a must. It was figured that we had that all over with the steep slope that is our entire property, but success only came when the roots were planted in the large raised box planter. Parsley in flower and some kind of squash share the space with the Eremurus.
It was worth the continued tenacious effort for these blooms are magnificent.
The most numerous type of Liliums at the Fairegarden, Longiflorum asiatic L. ‘Royal Fantasy’ will be next up to the batter’s plate. Their show should be a grand slam home run out of the park. It begins. Oh boy!
Frances
Fairegarden 
What joy! I think I must get my act together. Lilies will do well for me too. I just need to focus on them at the right time… My mom used to grow them beautifully in Johannesburg. Perhaps the planned Mothers’ Garden is the place they should go – with roses and lavender against hedges, flanking a central path…
Hi Frances, I finally got my foxtail to bloom after moving it out to the dry sun of the sidewalk strip bed – I’m thinking they need excellent drainage and lots of sun? Yours is a beauty! My gloves are covered with lily beetle body parts – nice to know the endless picking will be rewarded 🙂
The Eremurus are magnificent! I wonder why I could never grow Asiatic lilies although I live in Asia!
I’ve always been a lily lover! Ours aren’t open yet, save for some reds and a couple yellow asiatics. Many of the asiatics are still just beginning to form buds. But they go fast, so it won’t be long.
I’ve enjoyed reading about your England trip, Frances! What fun you and Gail had together! Mom and I would love to do that!
Frances,
Such beautiful blooms drenched in color. The foxtail lilies remain one of my favorites. While living in the Pacific Northwest, I recall driving by a field that was completely lit up by these beauties. Obviously a labor of love for someone, and quite a sight to see. I do not have any lilies blooming as of yet, but so look forward to the flowers.
Dear Frances, I adore your lilies~The red ones are gorgeous and each year I resolve to plant more~some get nibbled away by the bunnies! The foxtail lily macro is fantastic~The buds look like someone applied eyeliner…The effect is stunning. So worth the effort to have them! I cut a few branches off a small tree and the light increased dramatically. The elm may get cut down after all~Light would make the lilies happy! xxxgail PS Since I added linkedin I am reminded of those earlier much better written posts!
So Beautiful. Each photo, I said was my favorite. It’s hard to pick favorites when they are all so gorgeous. Like children, you love each one for their individual charms. You are right about how striking they are in the landscape. I loved what you said about them being sentenials overlooking their kingdom. You do have a way with words Ms. Frances! Happy Memorial Day.
Your lilies are lovely. The best thing about lilies is that following the LAs and Asiatics are the Orientals and Trumpets extending the season. No, wait. The best thing is the range of colors… or is it that they lend height to beds…? The mulitplication factor is a plus as well.
I always enjoy seeing your lilies. I don’t have any blooming yet except for an asiatic one.
‘Buff Pixie’ may be appreciated because it’s the first, but it’s a showstopper no matter when it blooms! I have one new Asiatic lily in bud right now; I bought it at the end of the season sale last fall, so I’m curious what it looks like. I do hope the blooms don’t shrivel too quickly–it’s been so hot here, too.
They are all very pretty! I don’t have too many Asiatic, mostly Orientals. Our lilies still seem to have awhile to bloom. The darn squirrels stole several of my new bulbs too.
The foxtail lilies are really cool, I’d love to find a spot for them sometime.
I want you to know how much I appreciate all the lessons you teach me. I hate it when I have to learn gardening things the hard way. That is, by killing plants. You have saved the lives of many of my flowers. Thanks
Greetings from a fellow lily-lover. I divided mine last fall, and am fearful of a poor showing by the Casa Blancas (my faves), but the bright red border lilies are going great guns. I do hope the orientals will recover from my rough treatment by next year. Thanks for sharing yours!
I just love lilies. I have a few and most are of the red variety. The tallest is a pink one with a yellow center. It is such fun to see that they multiply every year. Just amazing flowers. Such structure. I really like yours. You are right about this heat making things not bloom as long as usual.
Well if the words are a rehash although they seem fine to me, the photos are certainly not. They are beautiful and makes me look forward to my lillies flowering if only I can keep on beetle watch a bit better.
Fantastic show, Frances! Last year, I checked all our local nurseries for Eremurus bungei, but never found it. Looking at yours, I want it, again!
Incredible lilies! Good to hear your report on eremus. I’ve been so close to trying those, but haven’t because I’d heard they’re a bit persnickety. Glad to see your fabulous blooms. Summer sure is lovely!
Frances, you are blessed with a lily-beetle free garden – found my first today munching away. I’ve been looking at my photos from the last 4 years and thinking – this is all seeming a bit repetitious. Not that it will be any consolation, but I don’t find things rehash-ey at all here. There’s something very special about feeling that I’m simultaneously experiencing the life cycle of these wonderful gardens in Tennessee and around the world while sitting in the middle of my own garden.
Ooh, love the red Asiatic! Also the foxtail lilies. I ordered 3 from High Country Gardens and none has come up. I know they bloom for another gardener here in MI, so I had high hopes. (I thought my soil is well drained where I planted them, but maybe it isn’t.) They were just so striking at Denver Bot, I had to have some! Can’t wait to see yours open all the way.
I have a few lilies in bud. Double Talk, the ones that we inherited, something candy [slipped my mind at present}. I would like to add more as they are reliable & low maintenance. I intend to transplant some of the ones we inherited to my new Back Corner Garden {if I can ever get it finished}.
Thanks for the welcome 🙂
You are correct about the Lillies in the pot. Chilling period ?! I am new to gardening really so not sure what you mean.
I made a post on my blog so would appreciate any feed back advice pls if you care to ofc 🙂
http://megardenlover.blogspot.com/2010/05/lily-propagation-bulblets-bulbils.html
I’ve also added a link to your amazing Lillies photos.
http://megardenlover.blogspot.com/2010/06/some-amazing-lily-photography.html
would love to put one of your photos in that post & credit you for it ofc if that’s ok.
All the best & thanks for sharing your lovely photos.
Thanks again Frances. You are the best. I knew it in my heart the moment I saw those Lily pictures 🙂
All the best.
Fantastic photos of the Lillies.
My favourite Lillium is the Cultivar Casablanca. Love it’s scent.
I live in a zone 11 area which makes it hard to grow lilies but I am trying though 🙂
Keep up the good work & all the best.
Royal fantasy sounds like it might be the theme of an imminent post.
Love the Eremurus, you must be pleased they’re up and into flower
Oh great! Another year has come and gone and I haven’t put in any foxtail lilies. 😦 Yours are wonderful.
Always a favorite … Happy June!
Those are some very beautiful lily pictures! I just love gardening pictures and you’ve got some real gems here!
Frances, I really enjoyed this posteth! 🙂 Your garden and flying flowers are beautiful!
Hello Frances,
I can Imagine how your garden is looking with the presence of those pretty Lilies. They all are fabulous, but the foxtail lilies have stunning beauty.