Beckygardener, here is a (totally out of focus!) picture of Abraham D'Arby I took in May. You can see how huge the blooms are! I'll see if I can take a pic of the whole plant tomorrow morning...
Part Deux: Breathe deep & tell us what smells wonderful...
Becky, just remembered the site where I ordered Roses for my Mom down in Florida, she has had no trouble with them for over 5 years now. http://www.coolroses.com/development/products/Gr%20Other%20subCategory.htm
K, finally found the shot. My favorite Hosta, Royal Standard. Just look at all those buds waiting to open-this extends the bloom cycle for almost 1 month. The scent is wonderfully lily-like and perfumes my hillside garden. If I had to have just one hosta, this would be it.
Oh, and BTW, the single tuberrose wafts at least 15 feet at night--I'm a happy gal :)
This message was edited Aug 12, 2008 8:38 AM
Violabird,
We have clay soil that started out years ago with a ph of 7.9, but I plant everything with about 80% compost. My Bouncing Bet blooms through 90 degree temperatures. The great thing about it is that it will bloom three or four times if you deadhead it. The smell is sweet but hard to describe. It's very pleasant.
And thank you, Fauna4flora. I love lilies.I work them in wherever I can.
I love lilies too! I've been looking for any that would thrive in zone10....seems all asiatics are the most fragrant, and I don't think those can grow here...
Rob,
I may be wrong, but I think that I have read that Trumpets and Orienpets are the most heat tolerant. Some orientals scorch. And trumpets and orienpets are incredibly fragrant. There are also some asiatics that are known for their heat tolerance, like Ariadne.
Donna
Donna, I would love to know! What is the botanical name so that I can look up on plantfiles? (sorry I've never had lilies, can you tell?!)
oooh! I'd be interested in knowing botanical names, too! I definitely need some that are heat tolerant!
Donna - Those are beautiful!
It's asiatic lily ariadne. I just added the image and noticed that the other images are different from mine. I got it from The Lily Garden. Here is the link:
http://www.thelilygarden.com/pages_lilies/asiatic_pink_1.html
I really think the pictures they have don't do it justice. And, by the way, it is pretty indestructible, vey reliable, does not suffer from disease. I highly recommend it.
Donna
By the way, it combines beautifully with Rosepoint Lace. Rosepoint Lace on the left, Ariadne on the right.
Here is the link from The lily Garden, where I bought it.
http://www.thelilygarden.com/pages_lilies/asiatic_pink_3.html
Donna
DonnaMack, how would you compare the Ariadne in scent to the kind of asiatic lilies that are in flower arrangements? This is the one "heady" perfumed plant that I cannot be around- at least in enclosed space it gives me a headache. If it is different or less intense, I would consider experimenting with it in this zone. I love the nodding position of the flowers!
Oh, it's very mild. I, personally, find, for example, Stargazer intense - and yes, it gives me a headache too. The scent is very delicate, more like the kind you have to stick your nose into to detect.
I've noticed that the lilies in arrangements are usually orientals. Aisatics generally have little to no scent. I think you and Rob may mean orientals when you talk about scent. It can be very spicy and acrid (my perception of Stagazer) or intoxicatingly pleasant (Casa Blanca).
Donna
ohhh noooo....I absolutely LOVE the fragrance of stargazers! So what kind is a stargazer? I think that's the one that won't grow in hot climates, is it?
Rob,
What do I know? My husband adores Stargazer. It is the only lily he ever requested. And it's just about the most beloved lily in the world. Unfortunately, the rabbits love it too. It's the one lily they bite off every year! Haven't seen the bloom in three years.
Stargazer is an Oriental. When a lily has a really powerful scent it is likely to be an Oriental, a Trumpet or an Orienpet.
Here is some info:
http://www.thelilygarden.com/pages_lilies/oriental_1.html
Donna
Wow, so beautiful!
Thanks, Donna. I think that clears up some things for me and makes some scents!
Fauna,
You gave me a chuckle!
Donna
haha, me too Fauna! I was so sleepy last night I only noticed it now! Donna, you are now "responsible" for me spending more money, ehhehe...I got in the heirloom lily co-op and ordered a bunch! I made sure to have my Sunset book with me so that I woulnd't order anything out of my zone...stargazers unfortunately are out but I still got some fragrant ones!
This is one of the beauties I ordered...not bad huh?
http://www.oldhousegardens.com/bigFlwr.asp?Cat=blackD
This message was edited Aug 13, 2008 9:19 AM
Yeah, I know the feeling, Rob......is that co-op still open?
Yep! But it was supposed to close soon, so go there now if you can!
Rob,
I chastise myself! But oh, Black Dragon! Good choice!
Donna
Well, I'm going to sit this one out. I went and got some cool stuff from Buggy Crazy on the marketplace- nothing fragrant, but I am excited to give the saffron crocus a try.
Lilium philippinese in bloom. These are growing in a planter so it is hard to get to the fragrance. I had a patch at ground level, but that kind of dwindled over the years. They produce a lot of seeds if you let the seed pod ripen, so I'll have to try again.
Wow! Memorable fragrance .....for me is a toss up of about 5 that I can think of @ the moment. 1) Tuberose..........hmmmm,
2)Gardenia ......ahhhh, 3) Night Blooming Jasmine..........oooooooh,....4)Lilac.............mmmmmmm...........and .... uh....er... umm.....?? skunk???....well it sure is memerable...ROFL........ the 1st 4 are "pleasantly" memorable, the last is deffinately unforgetable
Soilsandup,
Ah, the glories of zone 9. I get seeds from the North American Lily Society and grow them in pots (into the house in winter!) but they are not nearly as glorious as yours. I grow mostly the kind that germinate quickly, bloom and bloom in the first year. They usually have some formosanum in them.
Donna
Birdieblue, I'm LOL!!! My dog always ends up getting in a fight with a skunk, and he, the whole house and the family smell like skunk for a week, haha!
This is my very first bloom of moon vine. I had no idea they were so large and soooooo fragrant!
Donna - thanks, and your lilies look great too. And, I am often envious of people in zone 10, but then again, you get much better peony blooms with your winter chill.
I love to have a moon vine bloom...only been "attempting" for 2 years now....geez how hard can it be???? I've got the vine growing up my tree/bush...but no buds to speak of...maybe in time for Halloween? LOL
hahahah Chantell...it's the suicidal gardenia bug, it got to your moonvine!!! Is yours in full sun? Mine is...
Soilsandup,
You are right, of course. I drool over ceonathus when I visit California, and then I hear people there talking about lilacs and peonies. There is something for everyone, everywhere.
Donna
Ha! Chantell, same experience. I have planted at least 100 moonflower seeds over the years. The one year of possibility was TEN years ago when I got a great series of vines that were offed by our typical October 15th first frost. Then someone in the city of Chicago near the lakefront (zone 5b) offered me "moonflower" seeds, which took beautifully! Except that they were datura. And I must admit, once I realized I could actually grow datura from seed to advanced bloom in a season, I was a little less dissapointed.
But I do think there is some kind of voodoo involved in growing moonflowers beyond soaking, nicking, and starting them early indoors.
Donna
Let me tell you my secret...I didn't grow it from seed! lol! I bought a 4" plant online a month or two ago...it's now reaching the top of my patio trellis and covered in flower buds! I did try it from seed before though, but I got frustrated too, then I bought the plant.
R ; )
Cheater, cheater....umph!! ROTFLOL My issue was the ones I started early enough - ummmm, shall we say bit the dust...???
Rob,
You are scandelous! A nice trait. Oh, and I LOVE San Diego. Spent twelve days there in November years ago.
Donna
Lol! Just to tempt you, I'll send you more pics when the next blooms open up!
In researching Hedychium Coronarium Ginger lily...I see zone 8a...I am on the cusp of 7b. So my question is this, to plant in ground ? SW side with heavy winter mulch or should I pot as a House plant that lives outdoors, except when freezes come, then pull to unheated sun room, or should I keep indoors as a house plant in winter. I was sent a lovely few plants and don/'t want them to die ...so
I miss San Diego...even more, I miss living on Coronado Island...in the mid'50's...you cannot imagine the beauty...today pales with todays concrete jungle...it is still a beautiful place....but oh how sad what man does to God's beauty
This message was edited Aug 21, 2008 8:36 PM
Birdie - I don't want your question to get lost in this thread maybe post over on the Ginger forum http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/gingerly/all/ They've have some great folks over there that can steer you in the right direction!!
Can you smell me now? LOL
Oh my! I can smell it! hummmmm! : )