Hi gardenbench, Are you certain these are native Turk's-cap Lily Lilium superbum which have a green star at the center, as opposed to the more common introduced Lillium lancifolium which I think is what I already have. If so, please drop me an email, and we'll see what I can find of interest to you. I have some things in lesser quantities that are not listed. Sue...aka chemocurl

I like to back my lilies with vines to help disguise the tall stems after bloom. Here is a picture of a clematis backing a late red Asiatic and an OT, Honeymoon I think, with a big chartreuse hosta (Sum & Substance) in front. After bloom the Lily foliage is barely noticeable. Catmint, Lady's Mantle and Echinacea (the new E.colors add to the possibilities here) also work well. Although the LM flowers are really pretty with pale cream/yellow lilies, the LM foliage doesn't do much to hide the lily stalks later in the season, so you need something else in front. I use small spirea bushes here, not seen in the picture. The catmint is big & bushy & usually blooms with both my early & late lilies. I really like the contrasting flower forms of the lily Touching and the Sunrise Echinacea, and the soft yellows work well together. Two other favorite combos are lilies with Variegated Solomon's Seal and Cinnamon Ferns. These combos work well on the east side of the house in a.m. sun only, even in zone 5, but the lilies (I use mostly asiatics here) are not as strong or as big as they would be with a bit more sun. Black Beauty (not pictured),usually listed as an oriental, does very well in these conditions and looks great with Japanese Painted Ferns, silvery Lungworts & silver &/or purplish heucheras, although none of these plants are tall enough, so once again. I think, a shrub such as a small hydrangea or azalea works best for the intermediate height, tying the very tall BB lily to the rather short perennials.

I just saw your post today, did not notice it last fall. Besides Orientals for big showy blooms, try "Orienpets," sometimes abbreviated as OT. These are a cross between Orientals and Trumpet lilies, and nowhere near as picky as the Orientals are as far as conditions. I grow all kinds. Asiatics are the easiest to grow, and though there is a tremendous color range possible, no one would call the blooms very large. I have plenty of orientals too, though they bloom, they have never expanded. By contrast, the Orienpets just blow everything else out of the water. Tall, strong stems, great colors, you name it. They are readily available from major dealers, as listed above. Places like B & D lilies and The Lily Garden also sell a limited selection in the spring, so you don't have to wait until this coming fall to buy. Also look at Brent and Becky's Bulbs. Another cross are LA lilies, which are a cross between Longiflorum (Easter lily) type, and Asiatics. Again, BIG flowers, great colors. Shape more like an Easter lily. I have less experience with those, but even bought some at a Home Depot last spring (Triumphator), which were spectacular. FWIW, these different classes also have different bloom times. Asiatics start the season, and orientals are closer to the end. If you like lilies you�ll want to stretch out the season. See if your area has a Lily Society chapter. Call the closest Botanic garden to ask. You will learn a lot, and many chapters have a lily sale, where you should be able to find unusual varieties, from reputable vendors. I started buying at my local sale about 17 years ago, and basically have never looked back! There are many threads on here about which are good companies and which not. If you see one, look it up here before buying. Good luck!

I use to feed some Cheerios as they loved them, then I remember reading that Cheerios was not good for them? I don't remember why? When we raised up fry in fish tanks we fed them chopped clams and chopped shrimp. Funny you mentioned that they don't like strangers...when others stand by the beach or by the little dock they don't come running unless they see a family member. It's hilarious that they know us by sight. Our koi are top swimmers...they are always visable in the water; but if they see a stranger they immediately swim away! I'm surprised that they don't bark like a real pup as their running away and looking back. LOL... They sure are fun!