Where *are* my naked ladies?

Okay, they are not really naked or ladies, but members of the Amaryllis family, also known as “surprise lily” or “resurrection lily.” The flower scapes (or leafless stems) emerge in late summer or early autumn after the foliage has died back and disappeared. Each stalk bears 4-7 flowers that are quite fragrant.  When shopping for bulbs, look for Lycoris squamigera.

After seeing these blooming abundantly in California in late August last year, I was pleased to find them for sale at Green Spring’s Fall Garden Festival (this year’s Fall Garden Festival will be on Saturday, Oct. 2). I know I planted them somewhere (hmm ... where I don't recall) but have yet to see any trace of them. I had all but forgotten, until this group of naked ladies waved hello to me this week at Oatlands Plantation near Leesburg, Va.

Experienced gardeners advise patience; they say it may take a year or two before my naked ladies settle in and put on a similar show.

Heavenly Scents

For several recent weeks, a heavenly fragrance greeted me upon leaving or entering my home. The source? A few dollars' worth of lily bulbs I planted two years ago. They return yearly, growing more robust with time.

Washington Post gardening columnist Adrian Higgins wrote about lilies in a recent column titled Summer's heat and humidity bring out the best in lilies. With today's weather forecast offering a double whammy of heat and humidity, why not stay indoors, read the article and view the slide show that accompanies it.

Lilies are best planted in fall, so now is a good time to be thinking about ordering a few. A good local source is Brent and Becky's Bulbs in Gloucester, Va. Even better news is that through the Bloomin' Bucks program, you can order from Brent and Becky's and support Green Spring Gardens at the same time. Brent and Becky's Bulbs will donate 25% of the cost of your order to the Friends of Green Spring (FROGS).

Here's all you need to do:
1. Go to www.bloominbucks.com
2. Click on the drop-down box and scroll to Friends of Green Spring Gardens
3. Click GO
4. Click Yes accept the terms and continue to shop.