Mystery Plant Monday

Our mystery plant of the week. 

In a previous blog post I talked about my foibles with my bulb order (read more here). I got them planted but there were quite a few mystery plants due to the labels washing off in the soak. 

Now they look like this . . .

Some of them show no signs of sprouting. I'll overwinter them in the greenhouse and see what happens next year. If there's still nothing, then I'll compost them and try again. 

Others, like the Irises and Montauk Daisies seem to be doing just fine in spite of being appetizers for the chickens. Then there's this one (below). No idea what it is. At least I have my order form to start with and I know some of the things it's not. 

My method this time? Do an image search on my order list and see what I find. 

 And the winner is . . .  Asiatic Elodie Lily

Here's what I learned: 

Family: Liliaceae (lil-ee-AY-see-ee)

Genus: Lilium

Cultivar: Elodie

It will bloom with candy pink layers of petals. It is pollen-free and is often called a Kiss Lily. Blossoms can be anywhere between 3-6 inches. Tends to single bloom the first year and then double bloom in following years. 

Plant bulbs 4" deep about 8" apart.  It does well in pots or containers and will grow to 24-36" tall. It is hardy in zones: 3-8, hardy in 6-8, mulch in 3-6. 

It prefers a rather heavy soil with lots of humus and good drainage. It likes the soil to be mildly acidic (6.1-6.5) to neutral (6.6-7.5). It does well in full sun or partial shade and blooms mid to late summer. 

Propagate by dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms, or bulbs. Plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile (no pollen, remember)

Care: remove faded flowers and do not cut back stems until autumn. Bulbs shouldn't be lifted, only mulch if necessary. Will bloom annually for many years. 

Mystery solved. Now to add the details to my garden journal. 

I can't wait to see it in bloom.