Lilies

I have always been a fan of lilies, but over the past several years, I have added more varieties to my yard. My favorite is the Easter Lily. Its delicate, yet hardy trumpet bloom, and its intense, sweet fragrance make you understand why it is a favorite at Easter. They symbolize hope, purity, and new beginnings. A prevalent theme for the season.

We have them each year at church at Easter, where members purchase them in honor of a loved one. But many don’t want to take them home, so I plant the extras around the church and bring a couple home. This particular plant has 2 stalks and currently has 12 blooms.

This next lily was also from the church at Easter, but it was an error because it is not an Easter Lily. It is an LA Hybrid. I had to look it up. When the blooms opened, they were orange. I thought it was beautiful, so I brought it home to my yard. This year, it produced two stems, each with about 6 flowers. It is becoming a favorite.

The LA Hybrid is a cross between an Asiatic and Longiflorum Lily. It doesn’t have much fragrance, but its colors are amazing.

An early spring favorite is the Asiatic Lily. And I didn’t plant it; the birds did, three years ago. And that one single plant has more than doubled in size and beauty. They are a small, non-fragrant bloom, but the soft yellow color gives a gentleness to that side of the yard.

Below is another gift from the birds, and, given its size and lack of fragrance, I believe it is also an Asiatic Lily, but I could be wrong. Regardless, it’s pretty.

Another fun lily is my Ruffled Lily. It was a gift and different from any of my other lilies. Its bloom is slightly larger, with a faint fragrance, and its petals are ruffled. Compared to the others, its colors are muted.

Last but not least is my Oriental Lily. Due to the crazy weather we have had this spring and early summer, they are not awake yet. Their color is orange with thin red stripes.

I hope you are enjoying your spring as I am enjoying mine. Remember to share the beauty of kindness in all that you do. You may be that one spark of hope someone needs.