Henry James famously said that the two finest words in the English language were "summer afternoon" - and now in August when summer has finally, finally arrived, it's hard to disagree.
But perhaps "lilies against a blue, blue sky" is an even more evocative phrase, adding color and perfume to James's superlative.
All the lilies are popping open at once this year, making it necessary to spend every evening, until well after sunset, outside. Their scent grows stronger as darkness falls...and this distilled essence of summer only lasts a week or two, making it so precious. I'm trying to encourage the lilies to last with my newest poetry post (the sweet purple bell flower is Clematis 'Roguchi', which is rampaging around my garden, outcompeting a wisteria!)
We waited SO long for a sky this blue, a perfect backdrop for Oriental lilies...this lily stalk went crazy this year, it must be ten feet tall. It grows up through a golden smoke bush, which supports the lily with its stiff, strong branches.
Here a Japanese maple in a pot serves the same support function - I like lilies to tilt and sway and look natural, so stake them as rarely as I can get away with.
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