Should I do something about the aphids? I'm not sure if they are affecting my Japanese lilies. The buds are small. This is their first year, so I'm not sure if they are still growing or stunted.

Even the Autumn sedums have ladybugs.

...In the southeast I was very impressed with the very large numbers of lady beetles present everywhere I went. Essentially all were the convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens), usually the most common species in the state. There were so many that they attracted attention and comment in the Thursday Pueblo Chieftain, particularly when they were massing on walls to warm themselves.

These large numbers of lady beetles have followed very large populations of aphids on many plants. Although there were plenty of aphids on various trees and shrubs, one plant that seemed to be a major contributor to aphids - then lady beetles - was sand sage (Artemisia filifolia), which is a common rangeland plant in that part of the state. It was very heavily infested where ever I looked.

(FYI, the fact sheet on lady beetles is at:

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05594.html )

Out on a bike ride the other day here in next-to-paradise Aurora, I was coated with aphids (I'll wear a jersey that is not yellow or green tomorrow on my ride).

Dan