Variegated Lily of the Valley (Convallaria)

'Lily of the Valley' is the "flower of the month" for May (see May 2006 - What's Happening Page). I wrote about it last year but didn't have a photo available yet. Lily of the Valley appears to be enjoying life in my Iowa garden since I imported it from Ohio in 2005. I suppose one day I'll be cussin' it and trying to murder it when it tries to take over the entire area. Remember one definition of a weed is "a plant out of place" & "the difference between a flower and a weed is a judgement".

What's the difference between Asiatic Lilies & Oriental Lilies?

Before posting my pictures of Asiatic & Oriental Lilies I had to ask myself, "What's the difference between Asiatic Lilies & Oriental Lilies?" I have kind of an idea of the difference but it sure is not well defined. So what do we all do these days when we wonder about something - Yep! Look it up on the internet. I tell you, I'm likin' that "Ask.com" search engine: www.ask.com And I want to make it abundantly clear that I have every intention of appropriately crediting information sources & resources on my website. That being said, let's get on with it. - MM

Asiatic (lily) Hybrids generally have in their background many different Lilium species which originated from several areas of Asia. They are early-bloomers, usually with no fragrance, but multiply rapidly. Asiatics have the greatest range of colors and more variance in flower shape and bloomtime.

Oriental Hybrids were developed from only a few species native to Japan. They are heavily scented, with much larger flowers, and bloom later than most other types of Lilium. Many Oriental lilies have raised papillae in the petal nectaries. This "starfish-looking" characteristic will, at times, have yellow or crimson accents. Oriental bulbs tend to increase in size, with taller stems and more blooms each year. Because they slowly produce multiple bulbs from natural division, lift and divide bulbs every 3 to 5 years, or if stems become crowded.

www.bdlilies.com/whatisdifbet.html

Asiatic Lily 'Lolipop'

Asiatic Lily 'Montenegro'