Royal Minnie is just much more vigorous growing than Royal Lee, so it blooms first (and more profusely). The bloom times of the two varieties still mostly overlap though (or at least they did for me last year). This year there are still blossoms on the Royal Lee while on the Minnie Royal all the blossoms have already dried out and a few druplet fruits have begun to form now. Both these two trees are Royal Lee: (There are several Royal Minnie trees too, but there isn't enough space to show those pictures here) zone 10 It seems obvious Royal Lee isn't perfectly adapted to the climate here, but the trees are only two years in the ground right now. Their growth might be more vigorous once they get a little more mature and established. Or perhaps I meant to say "it seems obvious even Royal Lee still isn't perfectly adapted to this climate", since (with the exception of its pollination partner Royal Minnie) you'd be hard pressed to find cherry varieties lower chill than Royal Lee.

Amaryllis Belladonna, the only true Amaryllis... not to be confused with Hippeastrum, the bulb we all know and love! From what I gather, Belladonna does quite well cultured in pots... as long as you understand that it's growth and bloom seasons are different from Hippeastrum bulbs. As stated above, they grow their leaves in late winter or early spring... then the leaves die back... a couple of months later the flowers make an appearance on their own, hence the nickname "Naked Ladies"! Information I've come across indicates that they prefer a well-draining, sandy soil and don't take kindly to over watering. Just like the Hippeastrum, they prefer to dry out a bit in between waterings. I'm too far north to grow these beauties outdoors in the garden, but instead have planted a different version of "Naked Ladies", Lycoris Squamigera. These are another bulb often confused with the true Amaryllis Belladonna. They are very similar in looks, growth habit and culture, but are hardy in my zone 5 garden and can be left in the ground all year. If you Google "Amaryllis Belladonna", you'll find lots of excellent information and culture tips, not to mention photographs of this lovely late summer bloomer.

I was given EE by Mr James W Anderson of Louisianna about 4 years ago. This wonderful man sent me a gift box with about 15 wonderful daylilies at no charge! He gave me many seeds that are now blooming seedlings in my garden. I have since purchased several really expense DL ($100) is a bank loan for me, but I still love Evening Enchantment more than most of my new ones! The color is so intense and it blooms for at least 2 weeks. I have since lost contact with Mr Anderson. The last I heard he was moved into a retirement center. I would love to get in touch with him. I know he would love to see some of his babies growing and happy today. He is the kindest most generous man that I've had the pleasure to know. He was a blessing to me. I Praise God for giving me this daylily friend when I needed one the most. Hope you enjoy your EE as much as I love mine. Blessings to all, Mona

I live near LAX and have a Royal Lee and Minnie Lee. The Royal Lee is a big vigorous tree entering its 5th year. My first Minnie Lee died in its 3rd year, but its replacement is now 2 years old and also vigorous. There is a very brief overlap in their flowering periods. Both trees start blooming in February. The Minnie Lee finished blooming in early March, while the Royal is just finishing end of April. The Minnie Lee was quite productive, the Royal Lee less so. Pity, because the Royal Lee produces better fruit. There is a new self-fertile low cherry called Royal Crimson which also serves as a pollinator whose bloom period reportedly spans Minnie Lee and Royal Lee. I drove to the Green Thumb nursery in Simi Valley to find them, but I bought and planted two Royal Crimsons last year. They are still practically twigs, but one of them actually bloomed and produced a single cherry.