The Rural Voice, 2005-07, Page 40Gardening
Lilg of the Nile need sheltered spot
Rhea
Hamilton -
Seeger and
her husband
live near
Auburn. She
is a skilled
cook and
gardener.
By Rhea Hamilton -Seeger
Well, it has finally happened. As I
write this, a much appreciated rain is
softly falling and the garden seems to
be sighing with relief. It is so
mystifying how the verdant greens of
summer go from dull withdrawn
shades to vibrant electric deep greens
when it rains. I know it has to do with
nitrogen in the air after a
thunderstorm but this not -so -subtle
change is electric and hypnotic to
observers of nature. The air smells
cleaner and the ground feels more
forgiving to the foot falls.
But the moisture will be absorbed
soon enough and on our gravel ridge
we will be back to looking for rain
clouds once again.
July marks the beginning of the
lily season. Among my top 10
perennials are lilies which are
actually bulbs. They thrive on the
heat and the dry land. Bonus.
A friend and I had once managed
to attend the Lily Club's sale in
September in Hamilton and brought
home a bagful of lily bulbs. Some are
still growing and put on a wonderful
fragrant show each year. From the
Asiatics to the Orientals, the show is
spectacular.
The one that spreads happily
around the garden is the Turks cap, a
martagon variety. The seeds were
actually little bulbils which form at
the leaf axis and were collected from
a friend's place in Parry Sound. It
takes two years from planting to
produce a bloom but it's well worth
the wait. The four -foot stems have
several stems of blooms each with
petals that fold back on themselves
showing off a brilliant orange centre
with a dapple of black spots.
But there is a another wonderful
July attraction in the garden that
rivals the lilies. Agapanthus, better
known as Lily of the Nile, conjures
up pictures of slow moving luxurious
barges decorated with carvings of
lotus and lilies, drifting along with
the current. It is wonderful what a
common name will conjure up.
This particular 'lily' has long
strap -like leaves like the amaryllis.
Rising from this wonderful fountain
of leaves will be several (last year
there were four) 30 -inch -tall stalks
with up to 30 small trumpet blossoms
on each. The blues range from sky
blue to baby blue to midnight. This
year I saw white agapanthus for sale
but when I went back they were sold
out. Quite fetching and a great
conversation piece.
When I planted those two small
clusters five years ago it
was on a whim. I never
dreamed they would
survive our winters.
They are classed as
hardy to Zone 7. Ours
are in a sheltered spot in
the garden that hugs the
pond and would
probably be multiplying
more if planted in a
more moderate climate.
The Headboume hybrids
are more cold hardy and
that could be the one I
am growing but like
some gardeners, 1 throw
away the tag once they
36 THE RURAL VOICE
are safely planted with the casual
observance that I will remember that
easily enough.
Agapanthus are tough durable
plants that thrive in loamy soil with
regular water but will tolerate poo
soils and once established, need ne
extra watering. They are easily
divided in early spring.
If you think you have too cold an
area for them try setting them up in a
large planter that you can bring in for
the winter to store in a frost free,
darkened area. In the spring bring out
to the bright light and resume
watering.
Be careful when you dig them up.
They are a cluster of entangled thick
fleshy roots, not an actual bulb.
Carefully divide into sections making
sure to trim off any old stems and
damaged root tissue, using a clean
sharp knife to cut straight across each
root. Dust the wounds with fungicide
such as sulfur dust to guard against
rot.
If you are planting substantial
divisions you should have flowers
that same year, otherwise it takes
from two to three years. It is
recommended that you protect them
from severe cold the first winter with
a deep straw mulch or set them out in
the spring.
You could try collecting the seed.
They don't always breed true and you
can get some interesting colour
tones/combinations. You cut the
flower heads "in the green" when the
seedpods are swollen but before they
split open. Keep in a box in a warm
place until the seeds are naturally
released. Seeds sown at 61 degrees F.
(16 C) should germinate within three
weeks. Grow established seedlings in
a cold frame and protect from the
cold. You will be looking at blooms
in three years.
Such is the glory of July. Lilies
and Agapanthus of all names and
varieties carry the colour of your
garden from the full June flush of
peonies, iris, spring bulbs and
assorted flowering shrubs through to
the August burst of asters, rubeckia
and monkshood. Never a dull
moment here.°