All these lilies were planted fall 2020 in my zone 10b, about a mile from the Pacific Ocean. We had very little winter rain, but the bulbs managed to grow and bloom on mostly hand watering and careful mulching. Bulbs were sited near plants that love the extra water, such as bocconia, and well apart from the agaves and other dry garden plants. IDs are based on what I ordered and notes on where the bulbs were planted, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility that some IDs aren’t correct…speak up if you have a difference of opinion! And let me just say that waking up to a newly opened lily bud is not a bad way to start a July morning…
For such over-the-top floral extravagance, I gotta say growing these lilies was surprisingly easy, with only a couple no-shows, mostly the coppery colors (‘Make Peace’ and ‘Copper Crown’). Whether any return next year is an open-ended question — and if they don’t, that’s fine too. One season of thrills more than justifies the expense — keeping in mind what you’d pay per stem as cut flowers. Order the bulbs now for the best selection for fall planting.
You’ve done well ! But I think your ‘Silk Road’ might actually be ‘Scheherazade’, especially if it’s from Lily Garden in Vancouver. ‘Silk Road’ has coloration similar to your ‘Bell Tower’. ‘Black Beauty’ has been one of my best performers -I’ve had the current stand of them for many years. I don’t have to stake mine anymore, you might find the stems get stronger as they mature and it takes heat well too.
Gorgeous! Can’t get over how tall your lilies are. Have grown Black Beauty and it was only a couple of feet. I agree that your lily is not Silk Road. It is white with a deep pink center and has a downward shape. Could be Scheherezade as the shape and colouration is right.
@Kathy, checking out Scheherazade, that looks about right, although I didn’t order it! But I love this lily, whatever it is. I was fairly conservative as far as giving the lilies a lot of sun so they could be needing staking because of the partial shade they’re in.
@Elaine, thanks for the backup ID. I prefer the greeny-yellow/red of this one to the white/pink of Silk Road.
What a boon! I adore ‘Black Beauty’. I saw your post title and immediately shot out my back door as I hadn’t checked my own lilies this morning. I was thrilled to see that I’ve got 2 blooms thus far on the group of 3 plants. The variety is ‘Pretty Woman’. Three more buds are yet to open and I have several buds on ‘Purple Prince’ in the front garden, all still relatively small. Can you tell how excited I am?!
They are lovely. The size, the colors, the graceful shape. My L. lancifolium has buds, finally. It’s late this year. The stems lean a bit, but do not need staking.