In my opinion, evening and morning are the best times to admire the flowers in the garden. The colours are softer, less overwhelmed by sunlight, and the contrasts are more pronounced. This is even more evident with white flowerings; when the flowers are exposed to full light, it's wise to have a good pair of sunglasses to fully enjoy the blooms without straining your eyes.
Flowers of the Lilium martagon Album
White should be used sparingly, and when creating an entirely white garden, the exposure must be thoughtfully considered. The most beautiful white gardens are those that are partially shaded or even completely shaded, as white does not jump out at you; it is soft, and one can better discern the nuances. At the moment, there is a plant I particularly love, which is the white form of the martagon lily (Lilium martagon 'Album'). Bulbous plants have the great advantage of being able to spring up, almost overnight, from a bed and quickly add a touch of colour. This lily blooms early but, more importantly, it flowers during the lull period, that is, when the spring flowerings are finishing and the summer ones are just beginning. It allows for a gentle transition from spring to summer.
In this partially shaded white garden, the Manchurian birch (Betula costata) structures the bed, and the flowerings are arranged around it. The bulbous plants with white flowers (Narcissus, Trillium, Cardiocrinum, and lilies) punctuate the bed and enliven it, supported by a large number of perennials: hostas, anemones, astilbes, primroses, strobilanthes, etc., which have a stronger presence.
Cultivating martagon lilies is simple; they thrive in sun or partial shade and prefer soil rich in humus, cool, and light. One must be cautious of one thing: the lily beetle, which tends to puncture the leaves, as can be seen, and for those unfamiliar with this insect, here is a short video explaining how to effectively get rid of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_zD2Xb8yA4
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