Skip to main content

Mary's Toad Lilies

All summer the rock garden was full of Lily stalks that didn't bloom. I knew they were some kind of Lily due to the leaf structure. There must be 30-40 stalks. I've looked at them carefully numerous times, and last time I examined them I thought maybe Cala lilies, that would bloom later in the summer. Didn't happen. I saw some budding on them a few weeks ago, and then forgot about them being so busy the last few weeks. It's been raining all day here, and I saw that the bird feeder we had wedged between some of the rocks in the rock garden fell. It's not a permanent solution, and it fell once before. We're going to have cement it or use a base pole to secure it for Spring. I went out to pick it up, and was greeted by lots and lots of blooming Toad Lilies! What a surprise. These inherited gardens keep constantly surprising me. I've been through a full year's cycle now, and thought I'd seen everything. I don't remember these last year at this time. I was either too busy with the move and working, or they didn't bloom. I had intended to plant these in the shade garden at some point. I thought just 5 or 10 would be nice. I now have 30 or 40 blooming amongst the rocks! Such a lovely, abundant, Autumn surprise. My grandmother turned 99 this month. I am calling them "Mary's Toad Lilies" for her. She has had a stroke and cannot fully communicate, but she always took a great joy in nature, and I know she would love these Toad Lilies, and the subtle way their beauty catches you, and holds you in a tiny spell.




Comments

  1. Mam też je w swoim ogródku, ale nie o takich żywych barwach. Pozdrawiam

    ReplyDelete
  2. Giga, it's great that you have them as well! Would love to see a photo sometime.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MAGIC indeed, your precious Lilies...!
    They look very exoticly; so very beautiful!!!!!

    I am convinced your sweet grandma loves your sweet idea about the name....!!!!!!

    ciao ciao elvira

    ReplyDelete
  4. These are such lovely fall bloomers! How sweet to name them after your grandmother.

    I often have the same experience, seeing something come up and waiting for it to bloom to know what it is. Except that I'm the one who planted them:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I often wonder if the current owners of my past garden had as much fun discovering each new thing that came up in the garden!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Robin, I am sure they do. Maybe they have a blog out there somewhere!. Rose, haha! I bet I will be the same way. Elvira, thank you for your note. I feel she knows I think of her often.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a beautiful plant. It looks like an orchid.
    Lovely pictures.
    Gr. Marijke

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you, Marijke and Pietrzyk!

    ReplyDelete
  9. So lovely! I am wondering already if they are deer resistant??!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sissy, I believe they are, but not sure. Deer come out of the woods that borders the property, and they haven't eaten them yet. BUT that could be why I didn't notice them last year.. Marinela, agree!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jennifer@threedogsinagarden
    Happy 99th birthday to your grandmother! What a nice surprise to discover that you have so many toad lilies. They are quite magical looking flowers.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Autumn Wine

Having inherited several Sedum plants, I watched them with mild interest all summer. I was pleasantly surprised by the gorgeous display they have blessed us with this fall. They are autumn wine flowers. In August they were a light Chablis color, and then they deepened into a Rose, then a Merlot, and now turning a deep Burgundy. I've marveled at the variety of bees and butterflies that take great interest in them daily. It's like they are an oasis, or Port, where there are no boundaries between species - bumble bee is there drinking along with the honeybee, and all kinds of butterflies landing. I suppose everyone appreciates great wine. I know I have appreciated these Sedum. I do not know if they are "Autumn Joy", "Autumn Fire" or some other variety. Anyone know the best way to tell? They are on relatively short stalks. Here they are part of the front bed tapestry - Moondance Rose, Russian Sage, Butterfly Bush, and the Sedum. 

Cornhusk Wreath

I made the cornhusk wreath featured on the Martha Stewart show last November. The steps involve dyeing the cornhusks (you can buy tamale cornhusks in your local grocery store), then separating them into strips while they are still damp, and pinning them to a straw wreath. Finish it with a thick satin ribbon. I chose apple green dye, so I can have it on the front door year-round. Closeup of the ribbon: I'm so happy with the results. To make your own, here is a link to the directions .