Being lilies, they're bulbs, so they come up year after year, but it's important to separate them, otherwise they can get crowded. I've found they are also tough little guys. During a spring landscaping project, I dug up and separated dozens of bulbs and had no idea what they were. I tried to give them to neighbors and friends, but they didn't want unknown bulbs. It wasn't until I saw beautiful red blooms poking out of my compost pile the next fall that I managed to identify them.

D'oh!

The good news is the lilies I left in the ground came back bigger and better and have spread far and wide.

I've heard that oxblood lily bulbs can be hard to find through nurseries, but a Google search turned up several places that sell the bulbs. But, as I always say, the best way to add new and exciting plants to your garden is to make friends with a gardener (or at the very least -- meet your neighbors). It's way cheaper, and it's a great way to learn more about the local needs and habits of plants.

Photos: Oxblood lilies in bloom