Lilies, anyone?

[Hoy]

Does L michiganense need very moist soil?

Not many species lilies here at my summerhouse but a few others like these 'Capuchino' and 'Graffity'. ...and one which isn't a lily, Kniphofia uvaria!

[RickR]

Does L michiganense need very moist soil?

In my experience, if Lilium michiganense doesn't get constantly moist soil, it will still flower, but the plant won't be that long lived (and of course, flowers will be smaller).  A few times now I have grown seedlings in places that get dry and hot in summer; They take a longer time to get to flowering, and then flower okay for a year or perhaps two and then slowly decline.  The nice thing about stoloniferous lilies is that easily dive down in the soil to find their proper growing depth for the area.

Below is an example of how stoloniferous bulbs can seek their proper depth in the soil. The original little seedling bulb from last season is at the top. This season it sent out two stolons terminating in bulbs. "Up" is up in the pic, "down" is down in the pic. The structure looks like the photo was taken at an angle because the new bulbs are so much larger, but no. The plant lays flat on the soil surface with the camera directly above.

             

[RickR]

Lilium papilliferum is not too well formed this season, due to the excess heat, I think.
               

Lilium auratum seems to be fairly happy with the root competition of other herbaceous plants.  Here it grows amidst Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold', Helleborus Royal Heritage and Brunnera 'Jack Frost'.
          

[Afloden]

The twiner looks like a Cynanchum.

Polainei was very common where exposed limestone was present in N Vietnam. Most plants had 1 -2 seed pods, but a few had more than 12.

On the western part of a ridge looking down into Yunnan there was another Lilium that appears more like majoense. This are was in the Tule volcanic belt on the eastern edge of the Hoang Lein range whereas polainei seemed to prefer the limestones around Sapa. It seemed clearly distinct from polainei, but I'm not sure. I have pictures (that are not mine) of it in flower.

 Majoense was described from not far to the north in Majo, Yunnan and another similar plant from N and E into SW Guizhou.

[McDonough]

Really enjoying all of these fine lilies here, beautiful things they are!  Wish lily beetle wasn't such a problem here.

I agree Aaron the red-flowered twining plant is a Cynanchum, here's a couple links. Most species in this widespread genus are weedy, some invasives, but some good ones too.
http://blog.nexcerpt.com/2010/05/21/swallowwort/
http://blog.nexcerpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSCN7772_50.jpg

One of my favorites is Cynanchum ascyrifolium (Vincetoxicum ascyrifolium), "Cruel Plant", not sure why that common name, one of my top favorite perennials, a subject worthy of a separate topic.

[RickR]

Thanks Aaron.  We don't always say so, but your expertise is very graciously appreciated (and essential!).

[Cockcroft]

Mark, you mentioned lily beetles.  Lily leaf beetles have been found in Bellevue, WA -- the first infestation that I've heard of.  My son gathered up some from his trumpet lilies for my entomologist friend.  In just 2 days they've chomped through most of the foliage he put in the jar!  Horrors!

[Hoy]

I killed more than 30 lily beetles during the last week! And a lot of larvae too >

[Tony Willis]

Thanks for identifying the twiner.

Here are a couple more of mine

Lilium amoenum

Lilium tsingtauense,first flowering from a scale I was sent two years ago so only a single flower and well chewed by lily beetles which have been prolific this year

Of my two L. poilanei, one has eight buds this year and the other which is very poor and I am worried may be virused only one. Lots of seedlings from last year have just germinated.

[RickR]

Another form of Lilium papilliferum opened today.

          

[Lori S.]

Terrific lilies, Rick and Tony - L. papilliferum is a beautiful colour!

So sorry to hear about lily beetle reaching your area, Claire.  They are amazingly destructive and the larvae, particularly, are utterly disgusting things.  They first showed up in my yard about 3 years ago and have proliferated, despite my constant lily beetle patrols.  (To be any more vigilant, I'd have to quit work and patrol all day... hmmm, I think I could live with that...  )

[RickR]

Lilium philadelphicum in the wild, western Minnesota.
More photos here: http://nargs.org/smf/index.php?topic=455.msg18807#msg18807

               

[RickR]

And isn't this interesting...

Lilium lancifolium 'Flore Pleno'

     

[Lori S.]

Well, you could give me any of the other ones you've shown, anytime, instead.   
I think I understand though... gotta try them all!  

[Hoy]

Striking colour Rick, on that papilliferum!
Tony, L amoenum is lovely!

Rick, although the double lily is interesting I agree with Lori: I would choose any other if I had to make a choice