Blackberries and Lilies

Day Lilies in bloom

We have several types of Lilies in the yard. Some are Hemerocallis, or Day Lilies, which means Day - Beautiful in Greek. There are so many types, that it is a great, inexpensive way to get a large collection going. There are color choices and styles for everyone. Some are frilly, some are large, some have double blooms. As they start budding out, they will give you weeks of pleasure, as not all bloom at the same time. But you do have to get out and enjoy them. Each bloom lasts about a full day, then is replaced by another blossom, hence the name.

bi-color Day Lily

 We also have some Asiatic Lilies, or Lilium, of which there are also hundreds if not thousands of species. These also don't disappoint, with so many colors and shapes to be had. In our area, these act as perennials, just as the Day Lilies do. You probably have seen these for sale on holidays in grocery stores. Next time, when they go on sale after the holiday, grab some and plant them in your yard. They will come back year after year, and each year they produce more and more blossoms!

intense red

purple tips

creamy white

bright yellow

thinner petal Asiatic Lilies

 We have blackberries all over this area. They line the fence across the road and form a hedgerow, there are some in back near the woodline, and we built a raised bed, 4x4, several years ago to keep some of them in check. Each year has been better and better. We also planted a golden raspberry plant, along with the blackberries. For the last 5 years or so we have only gotten a couple, as in two, berries each year. I'm not sure why. But this year we had a bumper crop of around 10! As in ten berries. The blackberry plant more than makes up for it though. And I have been known to wander over to the side of the road opposite our house, and clean up a bush or two upon arriving home in the evening. YUM!

Blackberries just coming into ripeness!

Golden raspberries