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Lilies do not smell this year?

mek82mek82 Posts: 7
in Plants
I've successfully grown a variety of lilies each year (same lilies), both in the ground and in pots, for the past five or six years. Apart from the fantastic flowers, I adore the smell tht fills the garden.  This year, they are flowering as well as ever but have no scent whatsoever (it's not me, wife & adult children say the same). Any ideas why this might be anyone?

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Posts

  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    Have you had covid test?
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • mek82mek82 Posts: 7
    It has nothing to do with my sense of smell. My roses, dianthus etc all smell fine. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If it isn't as hot, the scent of many plants can be less obvious, so it may be that.  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    I agree - I think it's temperature-related. On warmer days I could smell my lilies' scent wafting a little, but certainly not filling the garden. On cooler days I've had to stick my nose right in for a whiff! They do have a scent at that close proximity though.
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • mek82mek82 Posts: 7
    I had thought about temperature, but it's not reduced scent more like a total absence of scent this year, even if I put my nose pretty much in the flowers. I'm wondering if it's the erratic weather/rainfall, as they've bloomed later than usual. 
  • danv500danv500 Posts: 1
    When I brought home these After Eight Oriental lilies in 2019, their fragrance was so amazing I could smell them from 20 feet (6m) away!  They didn't come up last year.  They began blooming today (July 15,2021) and I had to stick my nose right in the flower to detect a slight fragrance.  The weather is 81 F (27.2 C) with 69% humidity, which should be ideal.  I am guessing it's the soil - I should have fertilized them.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    My Regale lillies had their usual scent this year but as with any flower scent, it is more obvious when the weather is ideal - ie warm and still.  Some scents are more obvious in the evenings but your sense of smell can also alter with your age.
  • mek82mek82 Posts: 7
    edited July 2021
    I  had moved some of my lilies, so that was a thought but even the ones left undisturbed weren't smelling. I wondered if it was the age of the plants, but my younger plants weren't smelling either. I don't think my sense of smell has changed dramatically over the course of the year and other family members couldn't smell them this year either. However, I am now thinking that other commentators are correct in that it is temperature related (I think this year's odd weather pattern also has had an effect), plus sunshine may also be a factor. After 2 days of temperature in the low twenties, with plenty of sun too, I  am delighted to say that my lilies are now fragrant!
  • mek82mek82 Posts: 7
    edited July 2021
    .
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    mek82 said:
    . After 2 days of temperature in the low twenties, with plenty of sun too, I  am delighted to say that my lilies are now fragrant!
    As said. warmth makes a big difference - enjoy your "sniffs" :)
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