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17 September, 2010

They're Baaack!...Ginger Lilies and Hummingbird Moths!

IMG_1521 I am sooo excited! My favorite time of year has arrived! How do I know? My ginger lilies are blooming! That heavenly scent is filling my garden once again and will continue until the first frost. Aren’t they beautiful? I have shown them to you before, I think, but they are so lovely that I want to share them again! I only wish I had a scratch and sniff blog so you could smell them, too! Ahhhh!


oz Even our usually grumpy CEO Ozzie seems to be enjoying the garden, although she seems unimpressed by the ginger lilies. I think this is her favorite time of year, too! The days are still warm, but the evenings are getting cooler.


IMG_1522 So when I begin to see the first blooms on my ginger lilies, I know that those wonderful crisp autumn days are not far behind! The lilies are special to me for another reason…they came from my mom’s yard. When we were faced with the sad duty of cleaning out her house and putting it up for sale, I decided to dig up the lilies and bring them to live at my house...and they have thrived here ever since. But they had a big surprise in store for me!


hummingbird moth I will never forget the first time I saw them! It was dusk and I saw what appeared to be hummingbirds at the lilies. But when I looked closer, I realized they were actually moths…unrolling their long feeding tubes and inserting them into the flowers! Can you see the tube? I am super proud of myself because tonight I finally managed to get a decent photo! I’ve been trying for several years! lol Here is a hummingbird moth feeding at my ginger lilies.

I also found an amazing video of these moths, also known as the sphinx moth, feeding among their favorite flowers... ginger lilies, of course! Although I didn’t make the video, this is what I saw in my garden this evening as the first moths came to visit!  I am still smiling! I hope you will take the time to watch. I promise that you will not be sorry! I have turned off my music on this post so as not to interfere with the video. Now if I could only add the fragrance of the flowers!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed a little peek at my garden!  Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie for A Few of My Favorite Things Saturday
See you next time! A la prochaine!

47 comments:

  1. What an amazing insect and a gorgeous flower...I wish you did have a scratch and sniff blog...thanks for sharing this wonderful duo!!!

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  2. Oh my! I've never seen a hummingbird moth in action -- fabulous!
    Your ginger lilies are so beautiful, and how doubly precious that they came from your Mom's garden.

    Just lovely . . . Cass

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  3. Deb that is soooo cool!!!The ginger lilies are so beautiful and I can only imagine how wonderfully they smell Those moths are amaaaaazing,KATHYSUE

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  4. GORGEOUS! And I have NEVER seen these hummingbird moths! EVER! Totally amazing! I watched the video THREE TIMES!

    Such precious memories attached to your beautiful Ginger Lilies!

    Have a great weekend!

    Lou Cinda :)

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  5. Debbie, I am not familiar with ginger lilies, living on the prairie, but am very familiar with the hummingbird/sphinx moth. They love the moon flower/datura that I have behind the garage. The lilies scent sound wonderful...wonder if they could be grown in zones 5/6 as an annual.

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  6. I have never heard of either the flower or the moth. It really does look like a hummingbird. Is it a useful moth? Wherever did you find that video! Gorgeous.

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  7. Hi Debbie...

    Ohhh...I bet your ginger lilies smell divine! Ahhh! Girlfriend, you DID catch the most spectacular photo of the hummingbird moth! It's awesome! You know, I have Bouncing Bet or Soapwart growing at my place. The hummingbird moths must love the flowers...they are just thick! They are so interesting to watch...aren't they! Thank you for sharing your pretty flowers with us! Yes...I wished you had a "scratch and sniff" blog too! Hehe!

    Warmest autumn wishes,
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  8. Debbie, I've admired your ginger lilies before, and the fact they are from your mom's garden makes them even more special. I need to see if I can locate some here to plant in my garden. Your photos are awesome and so is that video. I watched it numerous times. Thank you for sharing this beauty.
    Happy fall! ~ Sarah

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  9. Your gingerlilies are just gorgeous...I can imagine how great they smell. How smart to bring them to your yard from your mom's...I think they are being watched over well.

    That is one huge moth! It really does look like a hummingbird. Congratulations on the great picture this year!

    xoxo
    Janie

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  10. Oh my, I can smell your gingerlillies from here and they are stunning too! I have never seen these hummingbird moths either! Neat!

    Enjoy your weekend!
    Nancy

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  11. Debbie, I have never heard of the ginger lily but it looks so dainty. I wish I could smell it too. Taking it from your mother's garden was a wonderful idea. I think I might have some of those moths in my yard--I am going to research them to see if they live in the northeast. I am going to try to add your button to my blog because I often come here just for inspiration. Linda

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  12. These flowers are so beautiful and how wonderful that you have something to treasure from your mother's garden. Thank you for sharing them!

    Donna

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  13. Debbie we have these moths too and they are just fascinating to watch! How fun that you were able to get such a fantastic picture of them! They never stay still enough for me!

    I had never heard of ginger lilies!! They sound heaven scent! I am going to have to try and find these in a catalog and try them! Do they multiply?

    I am trying to get my iris and day lilies divided before we get our first snow which was Sept 19 last year! I better get my rear in gear!

    bee blessed
    mary

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  14. Oh so pretty and I can smell the frangrance! I would like to invite to come see my old photos of Natchez in the 1880's. Thanks!...Christine

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  15. I love that you transplanted your mom's lilies. We transplanted our grandmother's iris, and they mean so much to us. Thank you for sharing your photos. Cherry Kay

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  16. Wow Debbie, you are quite the horticulturist (is that a word?. Anyway, great pics and I would love to sniff those flowers. Linda

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  17. How wonderful that they grow beautifully at your house. When my mom died, someone sent my dad a huge lilly plant and I brought it home. I guess we will find out next year if it survived.

    The moths are really interesting.

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  18. Oh Deb, I just love this. I remember when you posted about these amazing moths before. They really do look like hummingbirds. The flowers are gorgeous, and congrats on that photo - quite a capture! Hope you have a wonderful time on your eating tour LOL. Hugs, Kat

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  19. Oh Debbie, they are just fantastic. So pretty and so delicate looking. Sure wish I could use the smellavision. Hugs, Marty

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  20. Very cool about those moths! And those flowers are beautiful, I can see why you would love them Debbie!

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  21. I've never heard of ginger lilies---they're gorgeous! I love white flowers. Sure do wish I could smell them! Cute furry friend, too.

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  22. Bowled over! What beautiful flowers and what amazing moths! Thank you for sharing this with us :O)

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  23. When you put Ginger Lilies & Ozzie together you can hardly stand the beauty. I have a 'thang' for white flowers and well, I don't have to tell you anymore how much I love your cats. The moths are amazing. You learn something new every day in blogland. Have a great Sunday, Deb

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  24. What a gorgeous flower and I had never heard of the hummingbird moth. We will have to try to get a closer look at the "hummingbird" visiting our back garden lately. Maybe we have a moth too. I enjoyed the video.

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  25. Loved this. It is ALWAYS a treat to visit your posts.

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  26. Loved this. It is ALWAYS a treat to visit your posts.

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  27. Hi Debbie,
    That video put a smile on my face! Thanks for sharing it with us.
    Also, your picture is amazing....great job!
    Fondly,
    Ann
    @
    The Tattered Tassel

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  28. Your ginger lilies are beautiful, wonderful photos! Great post!

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  29. The lillies are stunning & I don't think Ozzie is grumpy... I think he/she is smelling the lillies in that photo. :) Charlene

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  30. I haven't heard of a ginger lily...they are certainly beautiful..I can only imagine how wonderful the fragrance must be. I haven't heard of a hummingbird moth either! A day of firsts for me. Great photographs.

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  31. Debbie, how pretty!! I wish I could scratch & sniff, I bet they smell lovely....

    Your little CEO is just darling sitting there taking a little cat nap.

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  32. Hello Debbie,

    Your Ginger Lilies are gorgeous! CEO Ozzie has such a look of contentment on her napping face. How special that the Ginger Lilies came from your mother’s garden. When my great grandmother passed away we took some of her special plants from her yard. To this day I still have some. Especially her Aloe Vera which has proven to be very prolific! Great photo of the sphinx moth.

    ~ Tracy

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  33. Amazing Debbie! I can't believe they are moths. They are so pretty!

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  34. Beautiful blooms and kittys too! The best flowers are the ones we inherit.
    machelle

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  35. What a beautiful garden.You did a wonderful job!

    Stop by and collect your clues. The largest giveaway in Decor To Adore history will be revealed next Friday.

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  36. You and Ms. Linda from Nina's Nest are two very creative ladies...I just came across your cheese dome project and I think it's awesome! I'm so excited beacause I have just the items to make my own...yay! Can't wait. I've been looking through your blog and I must become a follower...it's great! Thanks for sharing your very creative ideas. Have a fantabulous weekend.


    Hugs and Kisses,
    ♥Ana~A Petite Cottage

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  37. Sorry Debbie, forgot to mention that I had never heard of the Sphinx Moth...what an amazing little creature. Oh and by the way your Ginger Lillies are beautiful.

    Hugs and Kisses,
    ♥Ana

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  38. Gorgeous! I have never seen either and just emailed my DIL and told her we're going to have to find out if ginger lilies can be grown in the NW. We have Annas Hummers but I've never seen the hummer moth. Maybe because I've never seen ginger lilies. Thank you so much for sharing!

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  39. I've never found cats to be much impressed by anything!
    Brenda

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  40. I have never heard of ginger lilies. I would love to smell them! I have to go back and see what posts I have missed. Hope you are enjoying a workless September. No A/C in the schools here, and it has been HOT! TG I am not there! :)

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  41. Debbie, I can't believe you were able to capture the moth in action! What a fabulous photo. I enjoyed the video too. I have only seen one hummingbird moth, and they are amazing! I'm going to have to try to find some of those Ginger Lillies. They're beautiful. Thank you for linking this to Favorite Things Sat. laurie

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  42. I forgot to tell you I also love that photo of Ozzie. Just looking at the photo made me want to go outside and doze a little while. laurie

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  43. Very interesting...I have never heard or seen anything like that..thanks for sharing!

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  44. Debbie, These flowers are beautiful! Amazing how you captured the shot of the moth feeding, too. Do they smell like regular lilies? I've never heard of your variety. But then, I don't garden at all because of my very brown thumb! *sad face*
    ~ Sue

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Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! I appreciate my wonderful readers!... Debbie