It's lily season here now, and once again I fancy myself as the lily breeder. Pollinating such perennials such as tulips, irises, and lilies is part and parcel Of gardening pleasure. This year,however, I decided to be a bit more methodical, thanks in part to the versatility of the digital camera to furnish images which are easily stored in either the computer or on disk along with journal entries.
Pollinating lily "Citronella"from the white Martagon is shown here. The martagon has finished blooming ,so I saved a few,about half-dozen or so, anthers in a safe place (a Zip disk plastic jewel case) until today.
With tweezers, I took a martagon anther and---
Dusted the stigma (circled)of the lily "Citronella" with pollen.
Depending on how successful this effort will be, I hope to have an illustrated
Log on the development of the consequent seedlings.
I intend to do the same with the tiger lily L. lancifolia, again using martagon pollen.
These three varieties are favorites of mine. The tiger is a couple of weeks away,however.
It's the Japanese iris' time to bloom.
Another generation of yellow tiger swallowtail butterflies has started. I have a butterfly garden out back with dillweed,zinnias,goldenrod,and asters. A single swallowtail flits among the trees around the house,and I believe it has made about a half dozen caterpillars. Dillweed hosts the larvae, and the zinnias and the field flowers should be in bloom to sustain the adults.
While enjoying a coffee yesterday morning I was joined by a winged creature,and,having my camera for such opportunities, snapped this image. Later on I picked up a Peterson Field Guide, "Eastern Butterflies", at the local Chapters and determined that this one is known as a Question Mark.
Further perusing through my Peterson's revealed that the caterpillars in my dillweed patch are those of the Black Swallowtail; the consequent chrysalises (chrysalii ?) like that shown here,were also identified as such. Now I haven't noticed any black swallowtails lately, so at this point I'm not fully convinced as to the guide's accuracy,but since this chrysalis is located conveniently near the back door, I intend to keep close watch for further developments. The tension mounts. 
