Showing posts with label lily. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lily. Show all posts

Saturday, February 23, 2008

"Tree Lilies", the Ultimate in Botanical Hyperbole

Each year I come across people who are totally intrigued by Breck's sales's pitch for "Tree Lilies".
We have had quite a number of discussions on the Canadian Gardening Forum about this. I guess I have very little patience for botanical hyperbole!
These lilies are from the group called OrienPet lilies, a cross between the Trumpet lilies, and Orientals. Here in our garden they bloom just before the main Orientals. We have Boogie Woogie, and they have improved each year (didn't get them from Breck's)
The height has "improved "each year, but they are still quite stocky (which is not a bad thing) We also have other Oriental lilies that get to the same dimensions as their "trees"! This one called Simplon was 7Ft....(shown with our 6Ft2" yardstick) I have no idea whether the bulbs have increased to the degree they predict, and I have no intention of digging them up to investigate! Brecks is quite pricey. I expect one can find many of their items at an alternate place. There are several relatively convenient, and good sources for the OrienPet lilies of which Boogie Woogie is one. I didn't closely examine to see if there was a significant difference in bulb size from one supplier to another. We got our Boogie Woogie at Veseys. They list it this year. http://www.veseys.com/ca/en/store/springbulbs/lilies/specialtylilies/boogie-woogie
(Their price is 3/$15.95)
I also see that Lindenberg Seed from Brandon, Manitoba has several varieties listed for only $4.49 each. That is half price compared to Breck's. They may have a mix of true Trumpets and Orienpets, but Boogie Woogie is there. I am not familiar with Touch, Triumphator, Purple Prince or Scheherazade. One could look them up on the web to check. Those in colder areas would need to check the hardiness issue. If you want to phone Lindenberg for a catalogue the # is 204-727-0575 They don't have a very functional website (last I looked!) Garden Import has several (6) listed as well, but Boogie Woogie isn't among them. Their prices range from $4.95- $6.95 each(not bad!) http://www.gardenimport.com/spblvl2.php?lvl=Lilies
Breck's "Tale of Lily Trees" must have precipitated some comments to them, as they have included some explanation of the expectations one might have . http://www.brecksbulbs.ca/gard_disp.asp?pn=73848
I think everyone needs to be prepared for a fairly "wimpy" first year growth, with improvements in succeeding years(if all goes well!).
See a little slide show at the bottom of posts.