Memorial Day Lilies

Easter Lily Lilium Longiflorum  These flowers are sold as Easter Lilies.  I always thought they were called that because they bloomed at Easter time.  Mine were blooming today, Memorial Day, so I have decided to rename them Memorial Day Lilies.

However, when I was looking up their botanical name I discovered they ones sold in stores are forced to bloom at Easter!  Their usual blooming time is in mid-summer and they may even rebloom in fall.  No wonder my Easter Lilies haven't bloomed "on time!"

The Sunset book also says not to plant the forced bloom flowers near other lilies because they may carry a virus.