I've been hard at it, cleaning out beds, weeding, and mulching, and seeing loads of big, fat Lily sprouts surfacing! Of course, I thought of all you fine Lily loving folks, and am wondering what everyone else is seeing in the garden.

The last few years I've had to toss a few Lilies that have shown symptoms of mosaic virus, so that's been on my mind as I see them showing up. Until now, that's about the only problem I've had with Lilies in this garden, but today I found some troubling evidence of rodent activity (I think). In one bed, there were substantial sized holes here and there, each right by a Lily. My dog has paid a lot of attention to that bed too. So, I'm thinking several there are gone. The odd thing is that is one out of 15 beds (all with Lilies, of course, LOL), and the only one with holes. I'm down to 2 cats now, so I kinda wondered if they would be able to keep up. There is a bed somewhat further away with no problems though. Kinda puzzling.

So how is everybody's season of Lilies starting off? That is, everyone in this hemisphere- I saw that Anthony's season is coming to a close.

Still snow over all my lilies, although this warm weather is melting things quite quickly. I am going to have to uncover all my potted materials early this year, since the ground hardly froze under the heavy blanket of snow. Without the ground temperature to keep them cold, they will warm up quickly and break bud earlier.

I have been cutting pussywillows for the last two months. Now the earliest species is at its natural peak. My latest species (S. shraderiana) will come in another month and a half.

15 Beds!!! Oh my gosh! (And good for you!)

Rick, how do you cover your potted materials, mulch I'm assuming? It's kinda worrisome when sprouts show up early, I'm always on pins and needles worrying that a spring freeze will do them in. Those pussywillows must be a most welcome glimpse of spring! Some years I cut some Forsythia to force into bloom indoors, those are starting to bloom now.

Yep, 15 beds plus a few other areas I don't really count as beds- giving a gluttonous gardener unlimited space is not always a good thing. A glutton for flowers, and for punishment!

It reached 70 here today! Of course, I'm sunburned, scratched, and sore, but totally blissed.

Sorry I missed this thread earlier Neal. You have done an incredible amount of work with 15 beds. I think my beds tend toward weeds. I wish those weeds were more complimentary to lilies than they are. I've actually enjoyed the off season, using it to regenerate and feed my other interests, which is good. Waiting for Spring used to just about do me in, but now I actually find I miss the snow to ski in and that shoveling is nicer than mowing. And in the winter the weeds cannot be seen, though it is my firm belief that they never go dormant. Go figure. Though driving in the snow is one of my least favorite hobbies.

What a great day you had too. We have had warmer temps this week, but I always know that in Wisconsin, winter never goes down without a roar. There is bound to be a pile of snow landing here, good though, this time of year it never lasts long. It just gives those thirsty plants their extra water.

I've always enjoyed pussywillows. I recall them in my childhood, though my parents never grew them. Perhaps it was a neighbor. Not really sure, but I do remember being so fascinated with them and how soft and smooth they were. I think I got so excited about spring even then that I was naughty and went picking my neighbors tulips. The things we remember......

Today I received my order of 24 bulbs from Faraway Flowers!...mmmm...love that smell...
Did I mention there is still 2'+ of snow on the ground?...I have to order early to be sure I get what I want before you Lower 48'ers snatch up all the good ones

Rick, we have the same conditions as you, the ground doesn't freeze under the snow. That's not always good for the lilies. We got rid of most of our snow in the beds just yesterday, and already I have five lilies up about 3". They will get frozen for sure.

Tracey, I figured spring was just showing hints of coming around up there. My gardens got so weedy last year, even the snow didn't cover it all up- dry twigs and grasses still standing there all winter (but gone now!). I was such a nerd as a kid, I rarely got into trouble, but the one spanking I remember was for picking Tulips out of someone's yard- we truly are birds of a feather, LOL.

Barbara, what beauties did you get from Ramona?

Polly, are your anxious Lilies longiflorum hybrids? Those are always in the biggest hurry here, mine were showing up in mid February, I keep tossing more mulch on top..

Several of mine are up about 3 to 4 inches we have had a lot of rain the past week but now they say we could have freezing, temp, this week end.

Yes, they are Neal. I hadn't even thought about it, but that's what they are. I'm sure it won't hurt the bulb any. They were planted last fall, so I probably didn't put them deep enough.

It doesn't seem to matter how deep they are that I can tell, they are just always in a hurry and grow really fast. I guess they must be pretty tough though, I only recall 1 year that a freeze got them. That was when we had a week of temps in the 20s at the end of April, lots of things turned to snot that year. I even had them covered with pots, but that didn't provide enough protection.

Actually, the ground here usually freezes very deeply. In my 51 years of life, this is only the third time that I can remember that that for the most part, the ground stayed thawed through the winter. And this season the ground did freeze a few inches, but the frost came out when the thick blanket of snow fell. And your definitely right, Polly, that unfrozen wet soil through is not good for lilies, especially Asian species.

Re: overwintering pots
I made some wood box frames that I wrapped in hardware cloth to keep the varmints out. When the ground freezes permanently, I will fill the boxes with the potted materials, everything from cactus to lilies to alpines and miscellaneous. Cover loosely with a tarp to keep the rain/ snow off until early to mid December, and then put them to bed with a light blanket and waterproof plastic over that.

This is a pic, although quite old, I used to do a lot more insulating, which I found to be mostly unnecessary now. Plants, even in pots, are much more cold hardy than you'd think, if the soil is dryish.

I only recall us freezing deeply three times, so just the opposite, Rick. We have a unique weather pattern here on the lake. We normally get heavy snowfall before the ground freezes, so the snow acts like a blanket and keeps the ground from freezing more. of course the top inch or two is frozen just from being in contact with the snow.

I dig, divide and replant beardless irises here right through December. Then the snow comes, but the roots never freeze.

From Ramona:
(1) each...Nuance, Bellsong, Red Vision, Honesty, Show Winner, Pompei, Presidente, Mona Lisa, Indiana, Heart Factor, Tinos, Golden Joy, Donato, Lesotho, Pink Dream, Marlon, Vivendum, Lady Elaine, Table Dance, Candy Club, Deep Impact, Patricia's Pride, (3) Purple Heart (which has been renamed Purple Eye (like Purple Heart better...) and and Ice Cube (a bonus from Ramona)

Robert Griesback, Adoration, Pearl Jessica and Penthouse (which I really wanted) were not available once she received her bulbs. Somehow, I don't think I'll miss them. Since Buggy is gone, I decided to ordered from the Lily Nook. Ordered 39 from them...NO idea what I was thinking. The Lily Fridge is already full...I am slightly in panic mode.

Oooohhh, a glorious list of gorgeousness! Penthouse and Table Dance sound like a couple Tracey needs for her naughty garden- Tracey, that is you who has the bed with all the naughty names isn't it?

I purchased Penthouse last year.

I received my Faraway Flowers order, too. I was excited to see that Ramona had ferreted out Lake Tulare, an older interspecific western American lily species cross. I had wondered if it had been lost in horticulture.

I received a good size bonus bulb too.
Thanks, Ramona!

Lake Tulare?...Was that a special request on your part? Don't see it on her site. Don't want it. Just curious to see a pic.

Ramona's customer service, communication and thoughtfulness if exceptional. The bonus bulb she sent was especially appropriate for my area. I won't say what it was in case she sent everyone the same one . I like to think it was just for me

Oh...and today I got in (3) bulbzillas from the Lilypad that I FORGOT about. Golden Splendor, Purple Prince and Bonbini.

You might know that it is Moby who has the wonderfully naughty garden. I wouldn't be that organized, but her naughty garden is perfect!

Barbara, what a list you have there. I would think the orientals would like your summers....not the winters, but the summers.

Neat that everyone's springs are progressing. I planted some dwarf iris my Grandma gave me last fall for my birthday. I felt awful in that I never had a chance to put them in the ground. Threw them in the fridge for the winter, bare root and planted them up last Monday and I have three already blooming in my grow room today. I guess they were READY! Wow!

That really is amazing about the iris, Tracey. I assume these were bulbous iris, and not rhizomes?

Regarding Lake Tulare, I think it was a later addition to her regular list. I know I didn't order right away. I had read about it a few years ago, and had completely forgot about it until it showed up on the Faraway Flowers list. You know how Ramona is always looking out for those special bulbs...

1 bloom of l. pink speciosum left,.,.lots of seedling activity and repotting,.more trumpet seeds arriving this week