Just saw a redbud tree with buds almost open! The weather conditions, long heat stress followed by rain and cooler temps must be fooling them into thinking it's spring. I hope they don't get zapped too hard later.

Bordeaux mix - limed copper sulfate - is a long-time treatment for this problem and is considered quite safe as long as you don't overdo the application. Which is also the correct approach to any pesticide application :-) Copper is found quite naturally in the soil, is in fact an essential plant nutrient (although typically required in rather small concentrations) and does not harm plants or soil biology unless it is applied excessively. Various lily growers will have info available on this problem and how to treat. I've linked you to one, which happens to be a local grower and a big online lily supplier. Here is a link that might be useful: B&D lilies - botrytis info

Hi, there is a web site you can go to, www.lilynook.mb.ca which has many Asiatic type lilies with good descriptions. Most of my Asiatics are approx 3' high, some of them almost 4'. I've got an Asiatic (Lolipop) that is about 2', some "pixies" that are 18", a L/A hybrid called Fangio that is probably 4' high that will have huge purple flowers. So a lot depends on the variety. This year I bought some lilies that were on sale in packages of 5 and they also sprouted about 6 to 8" and were all bent. I simply put them in the ground and like yours, they were very short this year. I know they will grow their full size next year (36").

Lilies grow in pots well. I haven't found baking to be much of a problem (and I'm in Maryland). While I don't let my pots get real dry for long you have to be careful not to soak them constantly since lilies are susceptible to rot. The bigger problem is overwintering them - since they aren't as insulated from wide temp. swings as when they are in the ground. Instead of putting different types of lilies in one pot, I'd use 3 pots arranged together and rotate the in bloom pot to the front. Depending on your arrangement the others should still get enough sun to feed the bulb. I'd worry that planted together I wouldn't have the flexibility I'd need since lilies grow to very different heights. -Helen