You Must Remember This …
Judy and I both found ourselves humming “As Time Goes By” a great deal during this past weekend. The tune just popped into both our heads almost simultaneously.
Which seemed like an odd coincidence, until I realized that the Oriental Lily ‘Casa Blanca’ was in bloom in the back garden. Clearly the flower provoked a train of associations, from ‘Casa Blanca’ the flower to Casablanca the movie, and to the song which features so prominently in the film.
Like the movie, the Lily ‘Casa Blanca’ is a classic. The flowers are large, gleaming white and richly textured. And that sweet, delicious fragrance – intoxicating!
While I lost several lilies in the sunny front garden this year, the ‘Casa Blancas’ in the lightly shaded back have been trouble free. Which is odd, since I always thought they needed full sun.
Incidentally, that plant in the background is the straight species American Spikenard (Aralia racemosa). An unconventional pairing, but it pleases me.
Clearly I need more ‘Casa Blanca’ lilies for the front garden. It’s on my list for fall planting.
In case you’ve never seen the movie or heard the song (hard to imagine), here’s a short clip. I apologize for any ads that may appear.
Here’s looking at you, kid.
gardeninacity 
That song, Sam… Play it again.
We’ll always have Paris.
Yes, it brings back lots of memories. Casa Blanca is a stunning lily and the perfume……
A classic, absolutely.
What a beautiful lily Casa Blanca is, and it kind of fits nicely with an old fashioned black and white movie…one of my favourites!
Same here.
Pure beauty!
Thanks!
Beautiful flower, terrific movie!
I’ll be humming all day long. Best to you and Judy, and to the lovely lily in the garden.
It’s a very catchy tune, isn’t it?
Ah, yes: as time goes by. . . Very clever of you to connect the movie to the flower. I’ve had Casa Blanca lilies for over 10 years. They are beauties.
Do you find you have to replace them frequently? These are in their second year, the last ones I had lasted only about three years.
Great lily. Great movie. Great song memorably sung by Dooley Wilson. Thanks for a lovely start to my day!
You’re welcome! Thanks for the name – I never did know who the singer was in the move.
Beautiful lily…have to keep the shade bit in mind if I add one to the garden…
We’ll see how it does in future years. This is its second year in its current location.
I will never look at my Casa Blanca Lily again without hearing that song. The ones in my garden are short. Maybe too much shade?? It is their first year here. Hopefully they will become big strong bulbs in time.
I think too much shade usually makes plants tall and spindly. How old are they? I think Lilies usually start shorter for the first year or two.
It is lovely….how wonderful it inspired music for you both!
Our minds work alike, which is mostly a good thing.
Those beautiful white lilies against the green of the garden–summer itself.
They do look especially good against a dark green background.
Beautiful lily and great movie too.
One of my favorite lilies, Jason, and a real garden stalwart. I had it in my previous garden but lilies are difficult here – too many creatures like to eat them. Now I shall be humming “As Time Goes By” every time I go into the garden 🙂
We don’t have deer in this area, so that helps. I have had disease issues with the Orienpet hybrids – not with the ‘Casa Blanca’ though.
That’s a beautiful lily, for sure.
Agreed!
I’m still making lists of the plants I want to include in my new fragrant garden, which will get planted next spring. This fabulous plant is definitely on the list!
I strongly recommend it! Truly intoxicating, and scents the air for a good distance.
OK, now I’m imagining you guys dancing around the garden to that song (and I can’t get the tune out of my head). Beautiful Lily!
It’s a very infectious tune, though I’m not sure if it’s easy to dance to.
Stunning lily, lovely pure white color, Jason.
Great lily. Thanks for the memories with the video clip
You’re welcome.
It’ s stunning. It would look good with my current favourite Nightflyer.
That’s an interesting name for a lily.
‘Nightflyer’ is an interesting name, especially for a Lily.
One of my favourite lilies along with one of my favourite films and naturally it was Rick’s Bar.
Clearly you were meant to enjoy the film and the Lily.
Ah, Casa Blanca….sighs… That is one heavenly looking lily!!!xxx
Agreed.
Mmmm… lovely flowers, and I’d have been singing it too! (I know the song and the movie.) Lilies are lovely flowers – until they are cut and brought indoors and their stamens decide to get onto ones clothes… the moral of which is, leave ’em in the garden. 🙂
I’ve never had enough that I felt I could bring some indoors. Something to aspire to!
I was surprised to learn recently there are quite a few lilies that will do well in shade. Saw some real beauties in Wales earlier this year. Your Casa Blanca is a stunner, that’s for sure.
Specific varieties or types? I like the idea of putting more lilies in the back garden.
Of course you know that we are all going to be singing that song now. 🙂 Those pure white blooms are outstanding especially with the green backdrop.
There are a lot worse songs you could be singing.
My Casa Blanca lilies, which are normally really tall, where pencil necked wimps this year and topped out at about 3 ft. Very weird. Love that movie! It’s my son’s favorite, too. 🙂
That’s odd about your ‘Casa Blanca’ lilies. Did they get more/less moisture than they want, maybe?
Hello Jason, we miss lilies, we had them in the old garden but they haven’t made a return to the new garden yet. I’m rather worried about lily beetle though as it was quite a job keeping them under control when we had a small patch of lilies.
Lily beetles aren’t common just yet in Chicago. I hope it stays that way.