Turning of summer
James Waddick (Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:50:08 PDT)

Dear all,
As the solstice has passed and the summer is in full 'mode',
it seems timely to mark the bulbous changes.

Lilum michiganense, that I reported on earlier, is well past
peak and the remaining flowers look distinctly "tired". I was
essentially unsuccessful in seeking color forms, but I'll try again
in seed season.

Other lilies are taking the lead with a range of species,
Asiatics, Trumpets and especially Orienpets. 'Silk Road' is still a
favorite - large uopright stems and beautiful large white flowers
with a deep claret-red center.
Another good show came from the Lily 'Zeus' (another
Orienpet, I think), but other favorites have finished and more have
yet to start.

Crinums have progressed with the various x powellii hybrids
putting on a show. xpowelli alba is still one of the best of the
older forms, and 'Super Ellen' is still pushing up a huge spike that
will surely top 6 ft this year when it fully emerges from the
foliage. This Crinum is still fairly new, but has proven itself far
hardier than typical 'Ellen Bousanquet' and it is a couple sizes
larger in all respects.
Crinum 'scabrum' is sole survivor of this group of hybrids
commonly called milk and wine "lilies " (crinums). It doesn't bloom
every year, but is worth the wait.

We've had a very wet year and the Crinums have responded with
multiple scapes and more flowers. Normally Kansas City has shades of
tan in the landscape by this time of year, but we still green and
lush ( of course more than 5 1/2 inches of rain in one day helps A
LOT).

Mention should be made of Anthericum. The flowers are small,
almost insignificant and last, but a few hours each, but the
multitude of scapes, buds and blooms gives a good show for weeks.
Impressive.

And last and weirdest, is a single aril-bred iris hybrid
giving its first bloom (not rebloom) for the last couple of days.
Very odd as Aril-bred iris tend to be earlier than most bearded types
and all others are long gone in the garden.

Signs of odd climate... again.

Happy 4th of July to all US members and a happy July 4 to others.

Best Jim W.
--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +