Racing the Lily Leaf Beetle

My hybrid lilies (LAs, Orienpets) took a beating over the last several years from storm, bunny and chipmunk damage. And probably more of a factor was way too much rain and two Polar Vortex winters. A few cultivars are rallying this summer (like ‘Royal Sunset’ below), but the flower show is nothing like previous summers.

Even though there’s a new pest slowly heading in our direction that devours lily stems, leaves and flowers, I’m going to order a few replacement bulbs to plant this fall so I can hopefully enjoy a summer or two of spectacular blooms again before the lily leaf beetle finally arrives.