This is a very pretty looking lily that I am considering buying, especially since it is now on sale at Dutch Gardens. Has anyone grown this? If so, does it live up to the pretty picture - link attached.
http://www.dutchgardens.com/Miss-Lucy-Lily/default/StandardCatalog.Spring.31123.cpd
Also, does it have a sturdy stem or is it floppy?
Miss Lucy - Double oriental
I've only had it one year and the jury is still out on it. I wasn't impressed when it bloomed last year, but I thought Fata Morgana was a dud too until it bloomed the second year. I'll know more this year once it blooms again. It didn't need staking last year. If it does need to be staked, I should find out this year or next.
Miss Lucy typically blooms more double the second year, or that's what the trials have shown. I bought it last year and I would call it semi double. The very thought of a double oriental is enough for me to try it. The stems were very strong and so far, the stems look strong again. Nice and thick second year stem for me. Miss Lucy is a keeper :0)
BTW : I would try to find Miss Lucy elsewhere. The bulbs you'll get from DG are iffy although, it might be a little late to order from any of the more reputable sites.
I haven't purchased bulbs by mail. Who would you suggest as a good source?
You've come to the right place. We are so fortunate to have quite a few wonderful resources for lilies that provide us with absolutely wonderful, high quality bulbs.
Buggy Crazy (fall shipping only)
http://buggycrazy.vstore.ca/
B & D Lilies
http://www.bdlilies.com/
The Lily Garden
http://www.thelilygarden.com/
Faraway Flowers (spring shipping only)
http://farawayflowers.vstore.ca/
The Lily Pad
http://www.lilypadbulbs.com/
The Lily Nook (Canadian Company, very good source though)
http://www.lilynook.mb.ca/
These are some of the best quality bulbs you'll find anywhere.
B and D has Miss Lucy, but it's to late to order for spring. You can check back with them later this summer when they start to offer their fall dug bulbs.
The Lily Nook won't sell orientals in the fall as fall planted orientals can be pretty iffy in the colder zones.
I pretty much agree with the list above except for the Lilypad. I received virused bulbs from them last year. That makes me leery about ordering from them again. However, they were very good about refunding.
The Lily Nook is great, but shipping can be very expensive. If you can find a friend and place a large order together, it really helps.
You can find other sites that sell Miss Lucy by just Googling on 'Miss Lucy Oriental Lily'. Be sure you check out any potential purchases in the Watch Dog and stay away from the Dutch bulb companies.
Thanks for the info. I wasn't familiar with any of these sources.