LILIES OF THE FIELD

Happy Birthday....to me! A new water feature for the garden!

2011-11-29T14:50:00.000-06:00

Will....the 'man with the plan'.....

Sam and I have talked about and planned a water feature for our garden for years ...but, it seemed such a BIG project....we would say 'next year'.

Along comes our son-in-law...Will...the man with the plan....he is gifted in seeing the big picture and getting it accomplished.

He and our daughter, Kara, planned to install a water feature as a surprise birthday gift for me. They showed up at our house on Wednesday before Thanksgiving with all the components for the project....except for the rocks...which they 'gleaned' from our property.

One of the major obstacles was removed when they asked if the wooden swing could be moved back under the trees ...yes, it seemed so simple...moving that swing a few feet back gave just the space and great placement for the pool and waterfall.

They started early on Friday and quickly gathered rocks and shoveled out the hole ....with the help of assorted grandchildren.

By sunset, the whole project was completed and looked as if it had been there for a long time. Can't wait to plant some 'greenery' around it in the spring. Turns out....I like surprises....maybe I'll start having 2 birthdays per year....

Ethan and Luke....two tired workmen....taking a little break...they helped to gather the rocks from the woods and by the lake...and sort them into piles according to size....both hard workers!

Anna, taking a break from all the hard work....she helped with the rocks and enjoyed helping move the dirt....really loved running her hands through the loose dirt in the wheelbarrow!

Hayden, practicing digging holes, with the shovel his size.....he likes to dig holes....everywhere!

One of Hayden's contributions was to entertain the kitty, Treasure, who felt the whole thing (in fact..he thinks EVERYTHING is about him) was just being done for him! Hayden kept him out of the way of rocks and tools.

Christopher ....posing with the water running...just as the sun was setting....

Will and Kara posing with the finished project....it is going to be so lovely in the spring with some plants around the top.

Where did all the summer go? Early fall wildflowers...

2011-08-19T20:17:00.000-05:00

Suddenly, it seems, the summer is almost done...all the daylilies...except a very few reblooms...are past and I am collecting the seed pods from this year's hybridizing efforts.

On a walk by our lake, I did find two beautiful late summer/early fall wildflowers. The Cardinal flower was in a colony near the water on our house side of the lake...just down from my kitchen window. The Yellow Fringed Orchid was found, for the second year, blooming at the end of the earthen dam, near the spillway.

CARDINAL FLOWER

Lobelia cardinalis L.

Cardinal flower

Campanulaceae (Bellflower Family)

Synonyms: Lobelia cardinalis ssp. graminea, Lobelia splendens

USDA Symbol: LOCA2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This 1-6 ft. perennial has showy, red flowers in 8 in., terminal spikes. Each flower has three spreading lower petals and two upper petals, all united into a tube at the base. Erect leafy stems, often in clusters, with racemes of flowers resembling flaming red spires. The lower portion of the erect stem is lined with lance-shaped leaves.

Although relatively common, overpicking this handsome wildflower has resulted in its scarcity in some areas. Since most insects find it difficult to navigate the long tubular flowers, Cardinal Flower depends on hummingbirds, which feed on the nectar, for pollination. Its common name alludes to the bright red robes worn by Roman Catholic cardinals. In southern Arizona, Sierra Madre Lobelia (L. laxiflora) is also found; its corolla is red with yellow lobes or all yellow.

YELLOW FRINGED ORCHID

Platanthera ciliaris (L.) Lindl

Orange plume, Orange-fringed orchid, Yellow fringed orchid

Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)

USDA Symbol: PLCI2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Terminating a leafy stem is a large, many-flowered cluster of deep orange to bright yellow flowers with drooping, deeply fringed lip petals.

This is a very showy orchid of meadows and open woods. A more southern species, Orange Fringed Orchid (P. cristata), has a flower 3/8 (9 mm) wide and a spur 1/2 (1.3 cm) long, shorter than the fringed lip. Yellow Fringeless Orchid (P. integra), found in southern New Jersey and eastern North Carolina south to Florida and Texas and north to Tennessee, has orange-yellow flowers with a fringeless lip. Yellow Fringed Orchid and White Fringed Orchid frequently hybridize when growing together; similarly, Yellow Fringed crosses with Orange Fringed Orchid.

Upsize mine, please!

2011-06-29T15:36:00.008-05:00

Pictured directly below is one of my 'pet' seedlings. The cross is (Symphony of Praise x Grace From Above). Both it's parents are pictured below it. This has been an exceptional flower from its very first bloom....I've never seen a bad bloom. It's form, color, substance, size are all consistent. Last year, in it's 2nd year of bloom, I took it up, divided it, and relocated it in a select bed for more observation. It has performed very well so far....with the exception that it may be a bit shorter than before I divided it. I'm sure it will grow back to its original height.

The last 2 photos at the bottom show it's offspring...one using it as a pod parent....the other as the pollen parent. I'm very pleased with this plant all around.

(SYMPHONY OF PRAISE X GRACE FROM ABOVE)

10" 32"

3rd year seedling - great form - exceptional substance

This is a daylily that has truly inherited the best qualities of both its parents!

very fertile both ways

GRACE FROM ABOVE (Carpenter, J 2002) 6" 26"

SYMPHONY OF PRAISE (Bell, T 2003) 7" 27"

((ED BROWN x HEAVENLY CROWN) X (SYMPHONY OF PRAISE X GRACE FROM ABOVE))

1st year bloom 2011

8.75" opens well and early

very good substance

((SYMPHONY OF PRAISE X GRACE FROM ABOVE) X SAN DIEGO)

1st year bloom 2011

7.50" bloom, good form, very good substance

Showers of blessing today!

2011-06-22T19:14:00.003-05:00

We've had an all day rain....wonderful, slow, soaking rain....I took a few photos before it had gotten heavy enough to melt the blooms...but, didn't attempt any daylily crosses today.

These two siblings are from the same seed pod of a cross between a seedling I've had for several years... #SL05-05 ...(a combination of Berry Patch x Jerry Nettles) with Green Revolution pollen grown on it. SL05-05 is a smaller flower...about 4.5" ...perfect form with a wire edge and saturated purple color. Green Revolution is taller and larger flowered. I think these seedlings are both a good mix of both parents.

It was nice to catch them both blooming on the same day for comparison.

(SL05-05 x Green Revolution #2)

(SL05-05 x Green Revolution #1)

Interesting relatives.....

2011-06-21T19:34:00.005-05:00

Ed Brown x Butter Cream

This seedling above is the common parent of both of the seedlings, pictured below, which bloomed today in the garden. I found them both interesting....and yes, I crossed them onto each other.....I like their size, shape and colors. Hoping to get some good offspring from crossing them together....it was a good day for setting seeds....mild, lower humidity and breezy.

((Ed Brown x Butter Cream) X (Berry Patch x Shores of Time))

.....the edge of this one became whiter as the day went on.....

((Ed Brown x Butter Cream) x Tahoe)
.....this one is very round and ruffled....

Large flower blooms today - 7" - 10"

2011-06-21T18:51:00.012-05:00

These daylilies have 2 traits in common....they are all from crosses we have made in our garden and they range in bloom size from 7" to 10".

( (Lemon Berry Frost x Mardi Gras Ball) X (Lemon Berry Frost x Julie Newmar))

((Lemon Berry Frost x Julie Newmar) X (Fencing Master x My Soul Surrendered))

Volcanic Eruption x Strung Out

((Hudson Valley x Freewheelin) x (Lemon Berry Frost x Julie Newmar))

Summer Thunder x Bird Talk

My Soul Surrendered x Sunny Intervals

Deliberate Pace x Sister of Praise

((Hudson Valley x Freewheelin) x (Blue Eyed Curls x Speedo))

Dandy Dave x My Soul Surrendered

Diana's Pink Gown x Tahoe

Some of today's beauties from the 'already selected' bed...

2011-06-17T14:24:00.007-05:00

These were some of our seedlings that demanded to be photographed as I passed by their beds this morning....all these have been previously selected...so their 'position' is assured...they will not be 'eliminated' or 'voted off'...so they have the confidence to be so assertive as to demand their likenesses be preserved.

On The Web x Freewheelin

Magic of Oz x Skinwalker

Blue Eyed Curls x Speedo

and its sibling below

Blue Eyed Curls x Speedo

Today's attention grabbers....

2011-06-16T18:34:00.003-05:00

Berry Patch x Soul on Fire

((Berry Patch x Jerry Nettles) x Green Revolution)

Women Seeking Men x Desire of Nations

Berry Patch x Sister of Praise

Sensory overload......tis the season!

2011-06-15T20:33:00.020-05:00

Every day now more seedlings are blooming....with a wide variety of shape and hue...here is a sampling of some recent new ones.

Volcanic Eruption x Freewheelin

Volcanic Eruption x Strung Out

Magic of Oz seedling (other parent unknown)

Light of the World x Red Vortex

Bella Sera x Wonder of it All

(Lemon Berry Frost x Julie Newmar)

(Fencing Master x My Soul Surrendered)

Destined to See x Julie Newmar

Clouds of Glory x Leslie Renee

((Walking With Bill x Steve Trimmer) X
(Lemon Berry Frost x Clarification))

Leader of the Pack x Legacy of Life

Dandy Dave X Kingdom Without End

((Berry Patch x Shores of Time)
X
(Temporary and Eternal x Wonder of it All))

Summer Thunder x Dizzy Miss Lizzy

2011-06-11T08:10:00.011-05:00

This seedling grabbed our attention at first sight/light this morning. It is a much anticipated first bloom from a cross of two of my favorite seedlings .....both will be registered later this year.

The cross is {(Lemon Berry Frost x Clarification) x (Grace From Above x Cherokee Pass)}. This offspring has perfect form, clear color, a pleasing height, good branches, acceptable bud count, and it is an early morning opener....something I always look for in a new bloom.

Below is another standout this morning.....love the form and this range of color is my top favorite. Notice how saturated and symmetrical the sepals are....one of my pet peeves is ugly or inconsistent sepals.

This flower is from a cross of 'LINDA HASSLER' a lovely flower our friend, Don Morris, of the Lily Patch in Burns, TN, registered and named for me last year. LINDA HASSLER is the pod parent and the pollen parent is an, as yet unnamed seedling belonging to Don.

2011-06-09T14:53:00.004-05:00

This form is one I've had to 'come around to' .....now I'm really enjoying the wonderful diverse look of spider/unusual form daylilies.....I love seeing these great big, long buds form and then open so perfectly!
This flower is from a cross of CAMEROONS X BALI WATERCOLOR.

Another spider...this seedling is from a cross of VOLCANIC ERUPTION X FREEWHEELIN. I am liking this one....it has several sibs yet to bloom...oh, the joy of anticipation!

Daylily Bloom Season 2011 - here we go!

2011-06-09T14:40:00.003-05:00

These are two new seedling sibs from the same seed pod....the cross was CLUSTER MUSTER X ALTERNATE UNIVERSE ...two tet doubles. Last year we had our first double 'babies' bloom...and I've begun to be fascinated with this form ...esp. the hose-in-hose double type.

A Few 2010 'Standouts'

2010-07-28T15:51:00.014-05:00

This seedling belongs to our 2nd grandson, Ethan....HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ETHAN! He's turning 11 tomorrow...and this is his first season to bloom seedlings from his own crosses. I loved this one....a small flower with a big impact....it comes from a cross of Flaming Tongues x Bat Masterson. Ethan has always been drawn to the 'hot' colors....he's been my garden helper since he was able to walk....I do have to remember that he 'pruned' some flowers with a golf club in those days...probably just showing his disdain for less than stellar quality flowers!

This seedling is special....it belongs to our eldest grandson, Christopher, who is 13 this year. This is his 2nd season to bloom daylilies from his own crosses. This one is a real standout....it catches everyone's eye ....from a great distance away. He used a seedling of mine (All Fired Up x Adorable Tiger) and crossed onto it Andy Candy....and I do believe his result is an improvement on all those individuals involved in it's parentage....come to think of it....Christopher may have that in common with his flower...he's a really special guy! This seedling had good height, branching, bud count, perfect form on every bloom, was very fertile both ways and rebloomed! It is definitely going into our 'keeper bed'.....Chris has chosen a name for it already....but, that is a secret for now.

Chris and Ethan's younger brother, Hayden, who will soon be 6 decided this year that he wanted to 'make his own flowers' 'just like my brothers'....so he did some crosses with his favorite daylily, CURIOUS GEORGE, and has successfully set 2 pods....hopefully, they will mature and produce some beautiful flowers for him.

I love that they all are interested in the flower garden!

This, probably my favorite purple this season, was from a cross of 2 of my own seedlings.....both having Jerry Nettles as a pollen parent. This flower has so much going for it. It is an early morning opener and holds its color and substance well all day. It's edge has a 'green glow'....coming from SL05-05 it's pollen parent. Our daughter, Jenni, commented that 'it looks like it's had a highlighter around the edges'....and it does. The glowing light edge is a nice contrast to it's rich color. It was very pod fertile so I grew some pods on it....to hopefully, capture it's great qualities and add some height....it's only deficency was that it bloomed at about 20 inches. But, like all the others on this post, it was a seed, sprouted in February 2009 and planted in the garden bed in May 2009....so it's 'come a long way' in one

year. Who knows? ....perhaps it'll bloom taller next season.

This is from a cross of Shores of Time x Green Revolution....both intros from Patrick Stamile. I like the color, a blend from both parents, and the bubbly edge has some green....and it's an early morning opener....my favorite, as I like to check them at dawn's first light.

This is from a cross of my seedling (Fencing Master x My Soul Surrendered) X Larry Allen Miller. I like the white edge on this one...and I'm fond of this large triangular form of bloom. The pod parent (Fencing Master x My Soul Surrendered) is the plant that has given good branching to it's offspring.

Berry Patch (Salter,J) x Soul On Fire (Emmerich, K)....this one had almost everything I want from a daylily....great color, form, height, branches, fertility....the only thing I might have added would have been rebloom. However, it's only a 'baby'...it might rebloom in it's second season next year.

Other seedlings can be seen on my Picasa Web Album...by clicking the link at the right hand top of this post....2010 Lilies of the Field Seedlings. Let me know which you like!

2010 Seedlings

2010-07-28T15:14:00.005-05:00

This seedling is a cross between Lemon Berry Frost (Bell,T 200) and Clarification (Norris, R 2002). It has bloomed for 2 seasons in our garden now and at 35 inches tall, with a 6 inch bloom, beautifully spaced branches and an average of 25 buds, it has been selected for future registration. It is an early morning opener with these consistently well formed blooms (exactly as shown in the photo) with a substance that is still firm at close of day.

Daylily bloom season is just about past here, with just a few really late bloomers and a handful of rebloomers still showing off in the garden. We have experienced rebloom on daylily cultivars that have never been observed to rebloom here.This season was unusual, also, in that we had an unusually large number of 'instant rebloom' scapes....those that appear while the initial bloom scape is just blooming. This really shortened our season because they bloomed out quickly.

In years past, we would have a lapse of time between initial bloom and rebloom. It's an interesting observation and one to be measured against other years as to cause....my speculation is that it is somehow rainfall related....especially in regard to heavy rainfall in the later part of last year. We are now in a dry period and it will be interesting to see if there are additional reblooms later. We normally have several daylily varieties that will be reblooming at first frost in October.

Now the garden emphasis is on reviewing performance of seedlings, especially those that had their maiden bloom this season, organizing photos, and beginning the collection of seed pods from our hybridizing efforts. Due to unusually hot temps, I believe our seed production is very much down from last year. I will concentrate on planting the seeds from our most promising seedlings first. We had some that showed some distinction that we want to continue to work with. Although we had some 'faces' that we were pleased with....the real excitement came from some with exceptional branching and bud count. I've traced that consistent trait to one particular seedling....which seems to impart height and good branching both as a pod and pollen parent. I tried crosses of some of these offspring to each other as well as going back to the original parent and working some more from there. Time will tell what comes from all that. That anticipation of 'what can be' is fuel for further hybridizing....it is a powerful motivator....even when weather is not cooperative....and other factors are adverse...like aching muscles and joints!

Lilies of the Field ....... our first 2 registrations.

2010-05-31T17:13:00.013-05:00

My first daylily registration.

CHLOE JERUSHA VIOLET

Linda Hassler 2009

Diploid, dormant, M, Re, Frag, 28" tall scapes with 5" blooms, fragrant.

Parentage: (Charlie Pierce Memorial x Lavender Blue Baby)

Light cream with violet eye and matching edge.

Named for my parental grandmother
Chloe Jerusha Violet Fitzgerald.

My husband, Sam's, first registration......we look forward to some special offspring from Blue Side of Purple blooming in a few weeks.

BLUE SIDE OF PURPLE

Sam Hassler 2009

Tetraploid, semi-evergreen, EM, 30" tall with 5.5" bloom.

Parentage: (Beside Still Waters x Lavender Fantasia)

Lavender blue with violet blue band and violet blue and white double edge above green throat.

I am a daylily........

2010-05-02T18:39:00.009-05:00

Guess there's always been a connection or perhaps a conflict between 'being' and 'doing'. I think of hearing the expression 'you are what you eat'....(in which case I'll soon be a lovely blend of mango, avocado, and garlic) ....and Holy Scripture says 'as a man (or woman) reasons in his heart, so he is'.

Well, I've been passionate about enjoying, growing, collecting, and hybridizing daylilies for a long time now....since around 1990. So I've, perhaps, come to a logical end.....I have 'become' a daylily! Truly....this year our friend, Don Morris, an up and coming hybridizer has given me the wonderful honor ....and one of the highlights of this year indeed, by naming one of his beautiful newly registered daylilies for me....Linda Hassler.

The photo is of the seedling, that is now H.Linda Hassler, on the day I first saw it blooming in Don's greenhouse at his garden. I fell in love with the great clear color....rosy red...one of my favorites, it's great plant habit ....tall, sturdy scapes, dormant foliage, and vigorous increase. To see more photos, including some taken outside, see Don's site at http://www.thelilypatch.org/ Click on '2010 introductions' to see 'Linda Hassler' and Don's other beauties!

Almost 'bit off more than I could chew' or... ' "Happy Mother's Day" to me'

2010-04-30T10:46:00.010-05:00

Looks so benign, doesn't it?!? This rut is actually over one foot deep! It will take at least 8 wheelbarrow loads of dirt to fill! As the delivery truck, bringing the large load of mushroom compost....(which I've claimed as my Mother's Day gift) began to enter the field from our driveway, it's front left wheel sank to mid-hub depth. The truck driver and I were very alarmed! While I was wondering outloud 'if the guys, with their heavy equipment, are at the sawmill up the road'.....the driver was able to keep his wheels perfectly straight and back it out and up onto the drive!!!! That was a BIG relief.....I was mentally adding many $$$ onto the price of the cost of the compost.

Looking for an alternate plan/route, the driver asked for a chainsaw to trim some limbs from a large white pine to gain access to the field in a firmer spot. After getting the chainsaw for him....I lost my nerve completely....just had a vision of all 4 wheels buried up in the middle of our field....and opted for a location just across from the end of our house on the other side of the driveway. We had an old chip compost pile there years ago....and it's just about the same distance from the garden as our current mushroom pile......just a little more public view!

BIG truck just finished dumping compost....the pile looks so small compared to the truck.....but, it is really a small mountain....about 10 tons! Let it be entered into a permanent record that getting this much at once was my dearest husband's idea.....saved time driving (an hour each way) to get pickup loads...and saved him shoveling it all out of the truck when we got it home.

This should meet all our 'compost needs' for 2 gardening years.

My very own mountain of 'black gold'......mushroom compost is so valuable for gardening....adds some fertilizer and holds water....just the greatest soil amendment I've found. This pile weighs about 10 tons! Mushroom compost, having as part of it's composition, chicken manure and urea, does possess it's own 'aroma'......wonder if the 'essence' will be be lingering when our family gathers for events at the picnic area down by the lake? I'll just hope for a 'favorable wind'.....

RAIN AND MUSHROOMS

2009-10-16T14:17:00.012-05:00

Our area has had an abundance of rain this growing season.....with a proliferation of all kinds of vegatation....we've seen new varieties of weeds. While weeding a daylily bed, between rain showers recently, I found this mushroom....quite large and meaty looking with an interesting green underside. I grabbed the camera and went walking down our path around the lake and discovered some others I'd never noticed before.

This one appeared to have brown 'feathers'.

This one had a shiny texture with an interesting silvery purple color.

This one looked like a sea sponge.

This red one was about 2 inches across, but many identical tiny ones were growing nearby....some only about the size of a pencil eraser.

This was my favorite....loved it's shape and texture....plus the little 'babies' beside it.

I went back to check on this one next day and.....

SURPRISE! Look at the transformation...overnight! The large one seemed to be sheltering the little ones from the rain.

Every season has it's own beauty....enjoy every day!

BLOOM SEASON ....the most wonderful season of all!

2009-06-25T16:00:00.003-05:00

Hudson Valley x Freewheelin

For the last few weeks I've been too busy gardening to blog about the experience! Now the blooms have arrived! Like an overly proud grandparent, I want to share my daylily 'babies' with anyone who shows the faintest hint of interest. There's just too much beauty and joy to keep to one's self. The photo above is one of the seedlings that bloomed it's 'maiden' bloom yesterday. I've created a new Picasa album for showcasing this year's crop. Check out the photo link at the top right titled '2009 Seedlings - Lilies of the Field' for more recent 'additions'. We love garden visitors.....sharing lightens our 'sensory overload'! If you are near enough.....come on over....if not, check the photo link for a 'virtual tour'.

Rain, Rain, Glorious Rain

2009-05-08T15:17:00.004-05:00

A thundershower rolled over our area right after daybreak this morning bringing another 1 and 1/4 inches of rain. As it moved on and the sun came out everything was so bright and washed clean. One of my happiest spring rituals is measuring rainfall. I like to know how much is actually falling on my garden....not satisified with knowing how much falls at the airport across town! I measure except when the temperatures fall below freezing....have broken so many gauges...can't find one that is unbreakable. We have had 7 and 1/2 inches of rain since the first day of this month.....every drop is a true blessing that cannot be duplicated by any man-made means. Every living thing just seems to dance with joy and thanksgiving to the Creator after a spring rain.

The lake behind our house, which is spring-fed, and never goes very low...even in dry weather, is filled to the brim after all our wonderful rainfall. This photo was taken this morning a few feet down below the spillway where the excess water runs off....what a beautiful sight! This is the first year in recent years for this much runoff. It used to always be this way 20 or so years ago. Our weather does occur in cycles. I hope this current cycle lasts for awhile.

When we open our bedroom window at night we can hear the happy gurgling sound of rushing water.....what a joy to fall asleep to the sound of that music and be wakened at dawn by the singing of a multitude of birds!

Spring Discoveries

2009-04-30T06:51:00.007-05:00

A welcome addition to a springtime supper....wild asparagus and morel mushrooms!

Mr. and Mrs. Honker have successfully nested! They scouted out the area for a couple of weeks before establishing residence on the side of the lake nearest our house. In previous years, we have found wild geese nesting on the far side, but, this is the first time to have them so near. This pair seems to not mind us walking near and they are not scared when we drive up the road and find them feeding in the garden. They are still coming off the nest and feeding in our garden, but, now they take turns...where before the nesting, they always came together.

This is the site they have chosen for their nest....just at the edge of the water...and only a few feet from a walking path...directly behind the picnic table in this photo. Guess they wanted a great waterfront view....with all the convenience of easy accessibility!

The sweetest Lily in the field....

2009-04-16T08:35:00.003-05:00

This morning I had an email, from a robin post, where several members were giving links to photos of their adorable grandchildren. I remembered these pics I took last summer, in June, when our youngest granddaughter, Lily, visited for the day. She brought along her Mommy, her bff, Saylor, and Saylor's Mommy. The girls were just beginning to walk independently and they toddled all over the place....getting their 'land legs'....having mostly practiced their new found skills inside. What a lovely day outside we all had! We savored watching them explore...and taste most everything they encountered! No worry, we garden without harmful sprays, so there was no chemical danger.....and every part of the daylily plant, from root to bloom is quite edible....the blooms are especially 'tasty'......with a flavor like sweet iceberg lettuce. They can be used in salad .....adds interesting color.

We grow more than 1,000 varieties of daylilies.....and some are quite 'rare' and new, but, none will ever be so sweet and dear as our own Lily....whose full name is Lillian Grace. Her Mom gave her the nickname 'Lily' so she would have her own 'edge' among our 6 grandchildren!

I've added a new Picasa photo link to the right ....with all the photos from our lovely June day.

An old dog CAN learn new tricks!

2009-04-15T19:16:00.002-05:00

Hooray! I have learned how to add a link for my Picasa web albums....now I can showcase my daylily photos! There are now 2 links at the top right of my blog; one album for my seedlings (new flowers that have 'been borne' of my hybridizing efforts...and I'm currently evaluating, but not registered ...yet) and one album for photos of registered (with the American Hemerocallis Society) daylily cultivars...these are registered named plants that have been introduced and their hybridizers have made available to the market. All registered/introduced plants start life as someone's seedling.

So, please click on the links and have a look at my daylilies.

Remembering old and dear friends in the garden...the joy of 'pass along' plants!

2009-04-15T09:52:00.008-05:00

A walk through my garden finds so many plants that were gifts of friends, old and new, and the 'gifting' enhances so much of my enjoyment of the plants. As I walk by 'Cerise Queen' yarrow...(shown in the above photo) ...now growing in so many spots!....the memory of my Aunt 'Tine, my Daddy's only sister, who so loved everything 'garden'....comes sweetly to me.....like a fragrance on the breeze.

A view of sedum 'Autumn Joy' reminds me of Michael, a man of knowledge and many interests (he taught and did research at Vanderbilt University Medical School and is an avid gardener) who welcomed us to Middle Tennessee Daylily Society with this gift.

My first heuchera was a gift from Linda, across town, who is so kind and generous. There is a row of bearded iris from Margaret, a former postal customer, who had many lovely iris and limited space in her retirement village and just needed some of them 'to go to a good home'. There is black columbine from Gladene, 'Dragon's Blood' sedum from Cheryl, a crooked willow taken as a cutting from the old home place where I grew up ....courtesy of my Mom, and all the remnants of my husband's grandmother's planting of lilacs and daffodils 60+ years ago, when she tended some of this land we live on.

Last evening, at our spring daylily society meeting, I got a fragrant, white lilac from Emily, who got it from her husband's Mother's home in Vermont. I will happily choose it a place of honor among the other treasures. Every season brings new beauty and memories of all I've known and shared with these precious 'givers'. .....and as guests come to share the beauty of our garden, I'll grab a pot or bag, and a shovel....and say 'oh, here, you should have a small start of this for your garden'. A garden is truly a living thing!

This is Pilgrim's Choice, a SDB (standard dwarf bearded) iris....a gift last year from my daylily society buddy, Joyce, who has a beautiful garden in Mount Juliet, TN. Her garden is predominately daylily, but, she has incorporated such a variety of other interesting plants.....it's one of my top favorite places to visit.

Pilgrim's Choice was the second to bloom this season, and it is so pleasing to me situated at the end of my little rock garden. Directly behind it, the new foliage of an old heirloom (hardy) crysanthemun can be seen. It was the gift of a shy elderly neighbor, Cecil, who is no longer walking with us. He came knocking on my door one morning with this plant in a bucket....said it was a piece of his Mama's 'yellow flower' (it is really a bronze) and he wanted me to have some. I had known his Mother....she was quite the vegetable gardener....and it meant so much that he wanted to share with me. Now, walking past the plant, growing and flourishing in my garden, I smile and remember both of them....simple, good, people who once walked this earth....enjoying the feel of the soil in their hands. May they rest in the Peace of God.

This photo is Aurora Sea, a MDB (miniature dwarf beaded) iris. It is the first to bloom in our spring garden. I love it's color....it grows 7" tall and is at the front of a border....it's one of those that must be seen up close....I find so much beauty in it's 'tiny perfection'. I get most of my favorite iris, including this one, from Denise Stewart of Snowpeak Iris in Lebanon, Oregon. Denise is a great gal to order from....I met her originally when she bought a daylily from me on the Lily Auction. I've ordered from her for about 4 years and her plants are so strong and healthy.

Oh, the anticipation of bloom season!

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This seedling, also growing in this bed, is from a cross of Rodeo Sweetheart and Grace From Above. I love to remember the blooms as I look over and evaluate the growth and increase of the plants. Every phase of growing these flowers has its own joy!

This seedling, from last year is a cross between Wedding Feast and Mandalay Bay Music.

This is one of my 'seedling' beds....daylily seedlings are 2-3 years old from germination. In the background of the photo is the little 'flower house' my husband has made from a metal framing that formerly was a dog kennel. It is mostly a 'cold frame'....but, if needed, we can heat it with a portable heater to keep the temp up to an exceptable level. I have all my daylily seedlings, grown from last summer's efforts, growing in 20 oz. Styrofoam cups in there now. I will plant them out at the first of May. We also start some garden plants in the little house.

Springtime on the mountain.

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We found bluebells all along the mountain road....these plants have such beautiful green leaves...almost prettier than the flower! They are growing mingled with wild larkspur...which was not blooming...just beginning to bud. Together they make a nice combination planting ....the bluebell with its paler lavender flower and smooth leaves and the larkspur with its 'teethy' leaves and deep purple flower.

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Trout fishing time!

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Trout Lily was in full bloom....this flower covered the hillside. It's a small flower and must be viewed up close to really appreciate....you can drive by and only see the green plant from the road. The legend says that the native Indians who lived in our mountains long ago named this flower because its bloom was the seasonal signal that it was the time for trout fishing...also some have said its spots resemble the speckles on the sides of the trout.

Turkey tracks.

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On the road up the mountain we saw three wild turkey hens. They were crossing in front of us and we were able to watch two of them for a little while...one actually crossed back and forth twice....before they picked and scratched their way up the hillside. They should begin nesting soon. My husband is a 'turkey hunter', but he usually just goes into the woods and watches them! They are really fasinating birds....perhaps ole Ben Franklin should have prevailed and gotten them adopted as our national bird.

A mountain top afternoon

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My husband and I spent the afternoon, after church and a quick lunch, wildflowering on a mountain side near our home. This mountain is the highest peak in our county and is home to most of the species of wildflowers that grow in our eastern end of Tennessee. It was a bit early in the season to see some blooms, but we just needed to see how the season is progressing and it was a lovely, sunny day. This photo is a view from near the top of the mountain .....looking down to farmland below.

A flea market treasure!

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This large 'hen' with her 'chicks' gathered round is a recent addition to the little rock garden in front of the ornamental grass area. I bought it from a lady at our local flea market.....she had several that she'd taken from her garden and was selling them in small brown bags....along with her other 'treasures'. The flea market has an increasing number of people selling various plants....looking for plant 'finds' is my main interest in going there....in addition to looking through the animal area!

Primrose and bluebells.

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The bluebells, also native to our area, are just beginning to bloom. That's a hardy primrose in the background. The top photo is an upclose of the primrose.....a really vigorous grower here.

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My favorite heuchera, 'Carmel', is the largest in our garden....it has been growing there about 3 seasons. This one stays nice all winter...even in snow! I love the variety of color in the heucheras.....and they make a nice contrast the hostas planted near them. The hostas are just beginning to make their appearance for the season.

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This is Wild Ginger....note its unique brown bloom .....at the bottom of the plant...right on the ground. The bloom can be overlooked...especially in a natural setting like our wildflower bed near the lake....where we let the oak leaves fall and naturally cover the plants. The Wild Ginger is just barely emerging today in that garden. This plant in the photo above is one that was moved last year to the shade garden to grow along the heucheras and hostas. It is farther along in its spring growth and we can enjoy its blooms there.

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The first trillium to bloom in our little 'woodland' wildflower area near the lake. This is the Large Flowered White trillium....its blooms are pure white when first blooming and then they change to pink before fading away. When we first identified this one on the mountain, we thought we had found two different varieties....instead of just one, with flowers in varying stages of bloom.

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The bleeding heart is so beautiful now....so thankful it survived the freeze we had at the beginning of this week....our temps were down to 26 F for two nights. The high wind and moisture, in the form of snow, probably helped to prevent damage.

The photo at top is of Crested Dwarf Iris and Foamflower, both collected from the woods near our home. The Crested Dwarf Iris has just come up this week and present its beautiful blue-lavender flowers in about 2 weeks. The Foamflower (coral bells) is budded to bloom. We are so blessed to have most of the native plants and wildflowers of the Smoky Mountains growing here on our Cumberland Plateau also.

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The native Buckeye tree is in bud and will bloom in a few days. It has been in our garden about 10 years now....a gift from an elderly friend, now deceased. It was a small 10 inch sprout from her tree, which she had collected from a nearby mountain. It has produced a couple of buckeyes the past two years....so prehaps it is reaching maturity. The photo on top is an close up view of its buds.

Garden visitors.

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Early this morning, when it was still misty, I caught a glimpse of 'Mr. & Mrs. Honker' strolling in the front garden, having a few tasty bites. They have been on our lake for about 3 weeks now....waking us with their loud honking near daybreak....we don't need an alarm! We are hoping they will successfully nest there....it's been several years since we've seen any young ones hatch there....seems something....like visiting fishermen...always disturb their efforts.

I took this photo out the front door, from inside the glass, so as to not alarm them. When I first saw them, 'Mr' was standing like a sentry on duty, guarding 'Mrs' while she had a nibble. We've noticed how protective he is.....this leads us to believe they may already have established a nest and laid eggs. I thought of the old saying I heard, as a child,from my Grandmother when she was 'put out' with someone...'he/she doesn't have the sense God gave a goose'.....and I always thought it meant geese didn't have good sense, but, I think it was a commentary on just how much sense God did give to a goose....in contrast to the less than sensible person she referred to. Geese mate for life and both worry together to raise their young....pretty sensible all around!

Springtime! A time for new beginnings!

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Springtime! A season for new beginnings....the garden is awakening....birds are busying nesting....and I am starting to chronicle some of my garden experiences in a new way. I've enjoyed viewing other gardens through the blogs of their keepers, so I'm inspired to begin to share mine.