Ever since I heard of lily trees (a cross between an oriental lily and a trumpet lily) and how tall they grow (an average of four feet), I wanted to grow a forest of lily trees. To that end, I’d been planting a few lily bulbs every year, and this year, they decided to really pop. And oh, my! What a lovely mini forest!
The lilies are large and vibrant, with lots of dark pink
light pink,
white
And even a couple of yellow that just showed up this morning.
Although for the most part, there isn’t a lot of color in my garden this time of year (after I pull up the spring-blooming larkspur, it takes a while for newly planted flowers to grow) the lilies command so much attention, that it doesn’t really matter. And then, of course, there is the purple echinacea that frames the forest. (It’s called purple, though in my garden, it’s actually pink, and can be seen at the bottom of the lily forest photo.
My raised garden is doing well, too. A squash!
A frog house nestled among the cucumbers and tomatoes. Well, tomato.
And contented birds shaded by another tomato plant. Luckily, the real birds are leaving my garden alone, though they tend to roam in the grass. With any luck, they are eating the myriad baby grasshoppers.
It is interesting to me that of all the things I thought of doing after Jeff died, owning a garden with a lily forest never even entered my mind, and yet here I am. Despite times of late-night loneliness, I am doing well. A garden can be such a comfort, at least as long as one concentrates on what is working rather than what is not. Even better, it provides a focus. There is always work to be done, plans to make, views to enjoy, and perhaps even a little food to harvest.
Best of all, it gives me fodder for an occasional blog post!
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Pat Bertram is the author of Grief: The Inside Story – A Guide to Surviving the Loss of a Loved One. “Grief: The Inside Story is perfect and that is not hyperbole! It is exactly what folk who are grieving need to read.” –Leesa Healy, RN, GDAS GDAT, Emotional/Mental Health Therapist & Educator.
Bertram's Blog 
July 8, 2024 at 5:51 pm
Very pretty.
July 26, 2024 at 8:18 am
You have a beautiful garden. You have done a wonderful job, even with the decorations. They are so cute. I’m glad you have found your calling.
I haven gotten an older, deaf dog which is a surprise after no dog for a year. She helps with the emptiness.
Take care and keep up the wonderful work. Wish I could see you when I’m in Denver in Sept., but it’s only for 3 days for my sister’s memorial at Ft. Logan. I hope to see Marci as my hotel won’t be far from her. Keep your fingers crossed about the airlines.
Write whenever you have time.
Judy
July 26, 2024 at 11:12 am
The garden has been as much a surprise to me as your dog has been to you — it definitely helps with the loneliness. I hope you get to see Marci. It would be a shame to go so far with only sadness in store.
It’s always good to hear from you. Take care!
August 1, 2024 at 11:32 am
I always like to think of gardens as living art. They are always changing, and tending them can provide lots of nourishment for our spirits. I’m finding puttering in our new backyard is easing the stress of moving into the city.
I’d never heard of lily trees, but you’ve certainly created a beautiful display with them. You inspire me!
The gardens here at our new home keep surprising me — like when I found drifts of scarlet crocosmia emerging against the back fence (I had no idea what they were!), patches of deep purpley pink Japanese water iris that I’d originally thought were going to be day lilies, and a bed of ferns in the shade of a Japanese maple tree. (I didn’t expect ferns in the city for some reason, and I always loved them at our rural place.) I’m looking forward to what the next season will reveal. So far I haven’t planted anything new (except for a few tubs of annuals on the deck) but am thinking this winter will be a fun time of planning ahead for next year’s garden, once I finally know what’s already here in each season.
August 2, 2024 at 7:47 pm
Gardens are definitely living art. It’s interesting to see how they change from month to month and season to season. I’ve already got the seeds I plan to toss out in my various gardens this winter in the hopes that spring will be a riot of color.
I didn’t know you moved to the city. Wow, that’s a big change! I’m glad you have a garden to help give you a rural feel even in the midst of an urban area. I didn’t know what crocosmia were, so I looked it up. Ooooh. Nice!
Happy gardening!
August 9, 2024 at 3:42 am
aren’t gardens wonderful , and those lilies are glorious. Thankyou for the update💕
March 24, 2025 at 5:56 pm
I always loved Lillie’s and so did my soulmate who discovered orientale Lillies. Yours are beautiful. I do find comfort in tending to the plants and flowers in my appartment.
March 24, 2025 at 8:02 pm
I’m looking forward to spring. You’re right. There is such comfort in tending plants.