The Grand Finale

How did it get to be August already?! Seems like it was just Spring and the whole growing season was before us! Things are already starting to wind down here and I'm beginning to focus more on harvesting and seed saving (a topic for another post because I'm way too tired tonight!). Actually I haven't been able to spend much time in the garden at all the past week, and it's been hot and dry. I finally did get to water some things this afternoon, and some of the plants were in desperate need! The garden is looking pretty scruffy.

But in the midst of all the chaos of my garden, where too many unruly self-sown plants topple over each other, stands this regal lily! I have been so looking forward to the moment when it would bloom, but wasn't expecting it quite yet. One evening I noticed that the buds were swelling, and the next day I thought I noticed a strong and heavenly perfume in the air, but didn't have time to look until late in the day. What a beautiful surprise awaited me! 

I don't even remember what this lily is called. I ordered several bulbs a few years back and thought I ordered the trumpet lily 'Regale Album'. But these don't match the photos of that at all and seem more like an "Orienpet"! Oh well, whatever they are they are certainly a delight!

I also have a few shorter Oriental lilies, with almost identical flowers to the taller ones!

You might have to look closely at this picture, but it's the lilies at dusk. It doesn't do it justice of course!

And now I'm off to bed. Hopefully things will settle down here soon so I'll have more time to unwind in my garden!