Today In the Garden - ONCE UPON A CONEFLOWER

The True Lilies

By “true” lily, I mean the big, showy types that arise from bulbs in the Lilium family, having either trumpet-shaped blooms or recurved petals like the Turks-cap lily. Many are very fragrant as well.

Distinguishing true lilies from masquerading look-alikes can be confusing. Dozens of plants have “lily” in their common name, but aren’t really lilies at all. They’re so-named because their flowers and foliage resemble that of true lilies. Misnomers include daylilies, water lilies, toad lilies, lily of the valley, foxtail lily, calla lily, peace lily, and on and on. None of these are true lilies!

So what exactly are true lilies?

Brighten Shade with Astilbes

Move over, ferns and hostas…there’s nothing quite like astilbes, or false goat’s beard, to bring flair and panache to the shadier nooks in our gardens. Their elegant plumes contribute rich color and height from late spring into early summer, and again in late summer. Even when out of bloom, the attractive foliage stays neat and tidy before gradually going dormant.

Astilbes are a dream to work with. Excellent understory plants, they work under deciduous trees and among a wide range of shade-loving species. This useful perennial is a “must-have” for any location that’s not in strong sun. They do well in heavy clay, too, a bonus here in eastern Pennsylvania.

Peony All-Stars

Vivid Rose’s petal edges turn silvery for a lovely effect

For a superb cutting flower with “wow” presence, the familiar peony still ranks among the best perennials you can grow. If you haven’t thought about peonies in a while, it’s time to reconsider. Many are wonderfully fragrant too. These long-lived charmers will reward you with glorious spring blooms for decades.