Lilies: Why Aren't My Oriental Lilies Increasing?, 1 by ge1836

ge1836 wrote:
I love my OT's Shocking and they looked splendid with the torch lilies in July. Shocking reached seven feet last year.
The torches make such a huge mess with their Hula skitr dead leaf knob.

There were 3 bulbs ( in 3 years last year ) and the trunks were huge.
This winter I noticed trails to every lily I have in that area. As soon as the snow melted in Dec. I put Plantskydd everywhere in hopes of repelling the voles.

I just went out to trim dead leaves off the Torch Lilies yesterday. These plants are behind th Shocking lilies and up against the house..I lifted the leaves to use the hedge shears and noticed lily scales and at least 40 bulblets all in a pile ( deer mice or voles) under the leaves against the heart of the plant
I dont care which kritter it is. As I cut I found 2 mouse nests between the 2 plants. I had no idea thay made good neighbors especially duering the winter starvation season.
The damp clay soil was easy to dig in and now I am free of those horrid plants.
I will plant Verbascum and Agastache and penstemon in there.

This was July 2009