Orchid & Lillies

I have something of a fondness for orchids and lillies. They are so beautiful and delicate.

I've had this orchid for 6 or 7 years now and this is the best it's ever looked - as long as you don't look at the leaves!! They're clearly getting ready to shrivel and drop off. But the flowers are gorgeous and there are SO many! Nearly 20 on this little plant. You can't tell but the flowers are quite small - probably only about 2 inches across. When it flowered last summer, they lasted for a good 3 months - let's hope they do again!

And then there are my lillies. To give them their correct name, they are 'L. speciosum rubrum 'Uchida'.

 I look forward to August every summer when they open. Quite apart from being stunning to look at, the fragrance is pure joy. A delicate sweet vanilla. Nothing at all like the brash Asiatic Lillies with their strong, headache inducing smell of cloves. Quite the opposite! I bought a pack of 2 bulbs from Hilliers at least 10 years ago and they're still going strong.

I've taken so many photos over the years but haven't taken any yet this year, although it's the best it's ever been with at least 60 buds! Last year I had the idea of cutting the flowers and displaying them indoors in champagne glasses -  I wish I'd thought of that years ago! As I write, I sit in a heavenly scented cloud..