These 'Black Beauty' lilies were tricked into emerging too early in the season
‘Black Beauty’ lilies are hardy to USDA zone 4 or 5, depending on whose catalog you are reading. But getting through a harsh winter does them no good if they can’t handle the vagaries of a northern spring. If it were the third week of May and we had a hard freeze, I’d cover these plants. But sorry, this early in spring I’m not babying anything, because for it to do any good, I’d have to consistently cover them every night from now until the end of May. I know I’d forget at least once, so why start?
Old House Gardens praises these lilies for “wonderful vigor and long life in all sorts of gardens,” so they may pull through. I’ve got my fingers crossed for my bleeding heart, as well. Call it tough love, pragmatic horticulture, or hard hearted cruelty–it’s not enough for a plant to make it through winter in my garden.
It has to be tough enough to make it through spring.
About Kathy Purdy
Kathy Purdy discovered the joys of writing in fourth grade, when she started corresponding with a former classmate. She's been writing letters ever since, first on looseleaf, then electronically, and now as weblog entries. That makes you, the blog reader, her pen pal. Her first independent (though frustrating) attempts at gardening were made in high school, though the gardening bug didn't bite hard until her mid-thirties, when she found herself mistress of a rural home on 15 acres. • USDA Hardiness Zone:4 • AHS Heat Zone: 3 • Location: rural; Southern Tier of NY • Geographic type: foothills of Appalachian Mountains • Soil Type: acid clay • Experience level: intermediate • Particular interests: colchicums, narcissus, cottage gardening, NY native plants, gardening with/for children
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Twitter: @dlynz
Gah – you should see my poor daylilies. They look like they have been partying too hard or something. I hope they will grow out of it – I don’t coddle either..
.-= Donalyn´s last blog ..The word for today is… =-.
I so agree with you-I’ll “baby” things a week or two before my last frost date (June 1), but I will not coddle things that choose to come up this early…….and there has been a LOT this year! And like you, I know I would forget eventually!
Twitter: @suburbangarden
A different location may be the key. I think the stone may have warmed it too much. My ‘Black Beauty’ Lilies are about a foot tall now, but any frost won’t bother them because they are protected by the trees.
I’m not sure whether it was spring or winter that killed my ‘Black Beauty’ lilies off, maybe too much shade. It’s so fetching I may have to try them again. I just received ‘Orange Valley’ and ‘Eudoxia’ lily bulbs in the mail and had to put them in the fridge for warmer temps. We still have a lot of snow, ugh.
Christine in Alaska
.-= Christine B.´s last blog ..I’ve been benched! =-.
In checking the hardiness ratings, I came across two pictures of ‘Black Beauty’ that make me want to try them again, too, in a different location. I am sorry you still have a lot of snow. You are one hardy soul!
Twitter: @f
Tough love is sometimes best. I know I’d forget at least once too so I completely understand your decision.
.-= Leslie´s last blog ..Garden Blogger Bloom Day April 2010 =-.
Twitter: @teresasoule
You are so right Kathy! I love to see those pretty colors so soon, but it also makes me nervous because you know there will still be more frost and these brave souls have emerged way too soon. You just have to hope for the best!
Twitter: @reddirtramblin
Good point Kathy. Excellent in fact. I hope your lilies pull through.~~Dee