{"id":3344,"date":"2015-07-17T21:41:00","date_gmt":"2015-07-18T01:41:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2020-08-13T17:39:52","modified_gmt":"2020-08-13T21:39:52","slug":"saturday-at-new-england-lily-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardern.co.za\/2015\/07\/saturday-at-new-england-lily-show\/","title":{"rendered":"SATURDAY AT THE NEW ENGLAND LILY SHOW"},"content":{"rendered":"
Some of the original Virgina Howie sketches were on display at the New England Lily Society Lily Show this past weekend at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, MA. \u00a9Virginia Howie<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\nVirginia Howies illustrations reminded me of my fathers illustrations that he used to do for the local newspaper, so maybe we related on that level – regardless, I somehow visually wanted to recreate in my own garden these very illustrations – some of which were on display at this lily show, which was very nostalgic for me.<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Downward facing Asiatics are my favorite lily form, both in the garden, and when picked, but it seems breeders are focusing on upward facing lilies more, which I think is sad.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Those early lily shows often had table with many lilies not seen anymore – I remember ‘Connecticut Yankee’ and many wild down facing Lilium canadense (illegal to pick today, but one can raise them from seed or bulbs purchased). I miss these ‘Virginia Howie’ style lilies, but many of the new Oriental-Trumpet crosses look even more like her sketches than many of the down facing Asiatics do.<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Many of Virginia Howie’s sketched show downward facing lilies.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n\n
\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
The newer OrienPet crosses seem to offer a little of everything for the lily grower, size, vigor, color and fragrance.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Even though Virginia Howie’s sketches captured those moments in the Worcester County Horticultural Societies summer exhibitions, the new exhibition halls at the societies new home at Tower Hill Botanic Garden are equally as nice, and the lighting is better.<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Recently, some Chinese species such as Lilium langkongense are being used in breeding. The results are these ‘Lankon’ types. I have yet to try some, maybe next year? After all, they are speckled, species-like AND down facing!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
I think I imagined that this would be me someday – wait a minute\u2026..<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
I enjoy seeing many of the old officers and trustees of the 200 year old Worcester County Horticultural Society displayed on the walls at Tower Hill – now that I am a trustee, I wonder when my painting will be made? I will probably have to grow a beard first, and that just isn’t gonna happen.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
There will be a lily auction in the fall this year ( check the Facebook page of the New England Lily Society). I plan on attending, and surprisingly, most lily bulbs are very reasonably priced – best of all? They get better with each year and often divide.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Even though I am not a big fan of up facing Asiatics, a few capture my attention, and yes, I do grow some.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Many of the dark or spotted forms are appealing.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Dreaming of blue ribbons and silver bows\u2026\u2026how I remember taking time to examine each of Virginia Howie’s illustrations, dreaming of actually raising my own lilies from seed – still need to do that, although my first seedlings may bloom next year.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Of course, speaking of breeding, some breeders are working towards this – thoughts? Meh.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n\n
\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Not sure that I hate this new seedling. Orange Cremesicle, right?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
This one, well, I’m not sure how I feel about it. Pine cone or artichoke might have been a better name, but it’s called “Mystic Dream’<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Another cut stem of Mystic Dream, this one with more color. Mmmmmmaybe.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n