It took five years, but I finally had a blossom on my Turk’s Cap Lily (Lilium superbum) and it was well worth waiting for.
I got a very different view when I looked into the blossom.
The Turk’s Cap Lily is a tall slender plant – about four feet tall. It’s considered rare in Kentucky and I have never seen it growing in the wild. However, I understand it grows in Eastern Kentucky on Black Mountain, and its blooms attract numerous swallowtail butterflies. I’m thrilled to have seen it flower in my backyard and I want to see it in the wild.
This blossom brought two quotes to mind. My father’s favorite Bible verse was Matthew 6:28, “Consider the lilies of the field, they toil not, neither do they spin.” And after waiting five years for this flower to bloom, I appreciate this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”
Beautiful pictures and plant!!!
Your Turk’s Cap lily is lovely from all angles as are both associated quotations. Thank
you for sharing the rewards of your patience – they all have further blessed my day.
And your comment, Beth, has blessed mine.
Beautiful Betty-congratulations.
Betty,
I’m hiking the Appalachian Trail. Last week I was doing a section on the TN/NC boarder, elevation about 4,000 feet, and I came across a beautiful flower that I had never seen….so I took a picture hoping to ID it when I got home….thank you for ID’ing it for me. I’ll try to send you my picture.
Great timing!
Steve, I’ve received your beautiful photograph. I can only imagine what a nice surprise it would have been to come across them on the Appalachian Trail. Glad my blog helped you identify them. Rather doubt I’ll ever see them on the AT, but I’m definitely going to make an effort to see them on Black Mountain next year. Thanks for sharing and Happy Hiking!
the turk capped lilly grows in parts of Crittenden county ky. and my neighbor moved a few to his yard and now there are probably 50 plants in his yard in union county Kentucky. If you want to photograph the call next year and I can arrange. 270 333-2106
Neil, thanks for the information. I can imagine they would be beautiful to see.