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Lilies are amongst the most glorious flowers in summertime. As a kittycat owner/servant, I don’t grow them in my own garden because they’re highly toxic to cats, but I do enjoy seeing them elsewhere.
The colours in lilies can be fabulous and look especially rich and vibrant in the sunshine. The deep pink lily in the top picture really stopped me in my tracks when I saw it. It’s a colour that I would love in my own garden (maybe I’ll find it in some other plant). This was one I simply had to photograph, and, luckily, it was just near enough in the border for me to take a reasonable close-up.
Yellow is a colour I like in my garden if it’s not veering towards orange. I prefer a clear, sharp, lemony yellow or a pale and delicate one. The colour of the lily above would be fine, and particularly lovely when light shines through the translucent petals. Most of the yellow in my own garden at this time of year comes from anthemis daisies and two varieties of evening primrose. (There’s also a recently-added pale yellow Iceland poppy, which I am hoping will seed itself around. It’s too small yet to make much impact, but it’s the daintiest little thing.)
Of course, lilies do white exquisitely well too. Delicate but sensuous, the symbol of purity throughout history and loved for its beauty…I had to stop and photograph this one too. If it wasn’t for their toxicity, I would grow lilies. But, even when I no longer have a cat of my own, I probably won’t. That’s because I’d like to know that I can enjoy the company of any of my neighbours’ cats without worry. So these are not for me, but I do think they’re divine .
Ann Mackay: Inspired by Nature 
The pink lily is a stunner!
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It sure is, Liz! It’s the one that I’d most like to be able to grow (but won’t), and it was tall and impressive too.
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I’ve noticed that some lilies don’t have much of a scent. What about the three you’ve shown here?
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Not that I could detect, Steve, but my sense of smell isn’t great and the flowers weren’t as close as they might look. (That’s the main problem with photographing other people’s plant – you can’t wade into a border to get closer.)
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Fabulous. Nothing like a lily. The second one looks like Casa Blanca, one of my favourites.
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They are pure loveliness and I enjoy seeing them on a garden visit. 🙂
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Lovely lilies, Ann….beautiful pictures!
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Thank you Indira! They are a lovely subject to photograph. 🙂
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The colors are beautiful. I’m still trying to develop an appreciation for lilies. I always thought the midwestern yellow and orange ditch lilies were a little boring, and the scent of Easter lilies makes me gag. If some of these are scentless, that’s a plus for them!
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I can imagine that it would get a bit much if you are surrounded by strong perfume! In the garden our scented plants (lilac, philadelphus and honeysuckle) are OK because the scent disperses easily, so is at a pleasant level.
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Lovely lily close-ups, Ann, including of the pollen grains. I can almost smell their intense perfume.
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Thank you Tanja! It was lovely to be surrounded by such beautiful flowers. 🙂
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Lovely lilies and photos. Aren’t there some lilies now bred without the toxic stamens?
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That sounds like a brilliant idea and something I might have to check out for my own garden in future… 🙂
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