Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Prowling for Flowers



It grew late. Through the open door, stealthily, came the scent of madonna lilies, almost as if it were prowling abroad.
--D.H. Lawrence

Well, close enough, though these aren't madonnas. They are Casablanca lilies on sale at White Flower Farm. I recently purchased a White Flower Farm 100-daffodil naturalizing kit for a friend & her husband's first anniversary. The bulbs will be shipped when planting time arrives. Meanwhile, today's White Flower Farm email highlighted these scented lilies & I can't resist showing them. I hope to resist buying any.

As a child, I was inordinately proud that my name means 'lily' in every language in which it appears. I was flower-mad from birth. My mother received a phone call from a neighbor at early dusk in late summer. Do you know where she is? She's naked in Mrs. N's rose garden. Uh oh. They split up & cornered me (I was a fast runner, even for 4 years old). I remember a thorn in my little paw--I blamed them (I must have been drunk on scent, to be so cheeky). As they rudely interrupted my communion with flowers, I'd clamped my fist around the (very few!) roses I'd pinched. My neighbor apologized for frightening me. My mother was annoyed, as one did not apologize to a child for anything. In her world, anyway. She said I was a bee in a former life. Or a dolphin. I wish she'd make up her mind.

If you have any room in your garden - you're lucky & here's the link to White Flower Farm. I've never had a thing go wrong with anything I've purchased from them. (I used to have a garden.) Many people shriek & say, the prices. Yes, well, you get what you pay for in these matters. (E.g., perfume)

[flower images via White Flower Farm]

9 comments:

Diane said...

What a lovely picture your words paint, a little girl lolling in lilies & roses, naked.

Too bad I don't have enough sun for them in my shady ravine... the iris I plant tilt their heads into the sun and end up growing vertically.

Julie@beingRUBY said...

HI Susan
I agree with Diane.. your words have taken me into your story.. I can see that mischevous little Susan hiding in the rose bushes.. Very sweet!!

Thanks for popping over.. sorry about your blackout.. I've been 'disconnected' so to speak.... xxx Julie

tina tarnoff said...

Oh, Susan, I love when you reminisce! I urge you to write a memoir. I want ot read it. Talking about flowers, these are lovely, but I have my mind set on roses in pots (ever since Tina mentioned how they grow well in pots.) We were on our way to get some the other day, but it turned out the garden center Terry thought was there closed down. And, Terry was only there like, what, 15 years ago. Never thought to double check the address. Anyway, hopefully we'll get some this weekend and will share some photos. Take care! xoxo Hope the power's been back on for good!

Post Grad Hair Cut said...

Those lilies are just lovely.

Mary-Laure said...

I feel so stupid, I had no idea Susan meant lily...

ceecee said...

I love this flower memory of yours. White lilies are my favorite but I have to keep them in my studio because my husband sneezes etc. etc. I know some people find the scent overpowering - and it is - but I can't get enough of it. If I'm sitting at my computer and they're behind me and I get a strong whiff I know that one is opening at that very moment. I always turn around to see. Such great companions...like flower pets.

Catherine

Giulia said...

Diane- I love iris. It's my second sister Beth's "flower." I wonder if you have ferns in your shady ravine? I love ferns.

Julie--May your move finally get straightened away & your internet be constant. We, your readers, miss you. I know how draining it all is, though.

Oh Tina--You are too kind, as always. But I'll take it. I sent you an email re: David Austin roses-in-containers...

PGHC-thank you, though White Flower Farm in Connecticut deserves the praise. And amusing avatar, there. lol

Giulia said...

Oh, Mary-Laure--you are decidedly NOT stupid. I was/am obsessed by names & meanings. Susa in ancient Persia/mod-Iran...lilies. It goes on ad nauseum. I suppose I ought to write about this somehow.

Giulia said...

Catherine...I meant to address the lily scent issue (some are kinda icky-sweet) & the flower pets. That's such a wonderful way to put it...later.