Last year, while attending the Puget Sound Garden Fling, a garden tour geared toward bloggers and other people specializing in social media focused on plants and/or gardening, I fell in love with a lily. I saw it in one Pacific Northwest garden after another but I never got the name of the cultivar until I posted a photo of it on Instagram when a commentator told me it was 'Zeba'. I searched for it online, found a source based in Holland, and placed an order for three bulbs. I planted them soon after the bulbs arrived earlier this year. When I placed the order I wasn't one hundred percent certain 'Zeba' was an exact match for the lily I remembered but, when it bloomed at last, it was!
All three bulbs produced bloom stalks and I cut two of them for this week's first arrangement. I'd only planned to use one but all three blooms of the first stalk were already fully open so, to give the arrangement a longer vase life, I caved and cut a second stalk with only one of its three flowers open. I intend to leave the third stalk alone to shine in the garden for as long as it lasts.
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| I opted for a looser arrangement on this occasion to allow the lily stems to sprawl |
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| Back view: I surprised myself in choosing to combine the lily with Zinnia 'Queeny Red Lime' |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Achillea 'Terracotta', Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Leucadendron salignum 'Blush', Lilium 'Zeba', and Zinnia elegans 'Queeny Red Lime' |
I'd originally cut Zinnia 'Benary's Giant Wine' to combine with Lilium 'Zeba' but I decided I liked the lily with Zinnia 'Queeny Red Lime' better so the 'Benary's Giant Wine' stems landed in a separate vase (sidelining Leonotis leonurus once again).
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| I chose to combine this Zinnia with stems of Leucadendron 'Jester' but they're almost too alike in color. These 'Jester' stems came from a shrub grown in full sun and the color is more red than pink. When grown in partial shade the foliage leans toward pink. |
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| Back view |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Abelia grandiflora 'Radiance', Crassula pubescens, Leucanthemum x superbum, Leucadendron 'Jester', and Zinnia 'Benary's Giant Wine' |
I've got buds on some of my dahlias but dahlia buds seem to take forever to mature...Maybe Leonotis will eventually get its time in a vase next week. If you're looking for more IAVOM creations, check in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for contributions from other bloggers.
All material © 2012-2025 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
I'm not familiar with this one. I love them but, with the exception of 'Stargazer', all of mine are in pots.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried growing oriental lilies in pots but perhaps I'll give that a try. It'd keep the gophers from consuming the bulbs at least!
DeleteI like the sun stressed red on 'Jester'. Those lilies! The cooler temps this summer have helped them have a greater show than normal. Beautiful arrangements.
ReplyDeleteWe've had a very good lily season here too, Tracy - even if at least 2 varieties have effectively ended their run ('Montego Bay' and 'Conca d'Or'). Encouraged, I'll plant more lily bulbs next year ;)
DeleteOh those lilies and zinnias are made for each other - what a great result! Such a lovely vase, and you have found a good match in your second vase too
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy. I wish I could say my other Zinnia varieties are coming along too but so far only the 2 varieties have made an appearance!
DeleteFabulous arrangements, Kris. 'Zeba' is a star, for sure. Great supporting cast, per usual. I like the way the Crassula blooms offer red and a white contrast simultaneously. Love those fluffy Shastas, wish I could grow them, but haven't had much luck. Eliza
ReplyDeleteThanks Eliza. Sadly, the Shasta daisies are on their way out. I could really use more white flowers in the garden at the moment.
DeleteWow, Zeba looks fantastic with Queenie ! Just a touch of chartreuse is perfect in both flowers. I love it when it all works out. A.melia
ReplyDeletePure serendipity, Amelia! I didn't have the lilies in mind when I sowed the seeds of Zinnia 'Queeny Red Lime' ;)
DeleteI enjoyed reading about your coming across that lily and then the hunt for the name and the sourcing of the bulbs. I can just feel your thrill and they are certainly worth it Kris. Lovely arrangements of course. When we visited Holland earlier this year we saw some wonderful exhibitions and displays.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I visited the Netherlands decades ago but not at the time of year when the bulb flower display was at its peak. I'd love to visit in spring/early summer sometime.
DeleteWhat glorious combinations of reds! Just how summer usually feels - red hot. It has been damp and cooler here the last few days which I am enjoying but back up into the 30's tomorrow! I was interested to read about a possum in your garden??Is that an Opossum?
ReplyDeletehttps://zonethreegardenlife.blog/2025/07/21/in-a-vase-monday-july-21-2025/
Yes, it was an opposum. They're common here, although I usually see them in small family groups, if I see them at all - they maintain a lower profile than the raccoons ;)
DeleteThe lily is a beauty Kris! You have picked out all those gorgeous colours for the accompanying flowers and foliage too… such pretty colour combinations and quite unusual, but they work! I also like that big red Zinnia in the second vase. I have never had any success with the Queeny varieties, but must try the Benary's ones sometime.
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