Thursday, July 9, 2009

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: Matthew 6:28




I haven't done a Skywatch for a long, long time. (Click on the link above to be transported to some of the world's lovliest skies.)

Last week our skies were dark and ominous but there is a lot of color and movement in skies like these. Gray skies make for good photographs. Not just cloud photos, the colors on any photo are truer and detail isn't washed out by the bright sunlight.

For two weeks I have been assigned the task of medicating my sister's cat while she and her family vacation. Kitty has to have a daily dose of Prosac and she doesn't like it. Since I'm the bringer of the nasty stuff, she doesn't like me either;)

Driving the 15 miles to Monroe Center everyday might have been a tedious chore, but in fact I've really enjoyed these trips. The countryside is lush and green, beautiful houses, scenic views and wild flowers everywhere. Who knew there are so many pretty back roads all going to tiny Monroe Center?


As far as I could see down this little country road, tawny daylilies blanketed the fence row. What a lovely sight. Some folks call them ditch lilies, but whatever you call them it was a pleasure to see them there. I always wonder how they came to be in the fields. Perhaps some farmer's bride brought them from her mother's garden. A dependable flower to begin her own garden in a new home.

When I first moved into my farmhouse there were patches of daylilies dotting the hedgerows and fencelines. The ones on my farm were a little unique. The flowers were doubles and triples, amazingly beautiful. I dug clumps and brought them home to start my gardens.

(Kwanso from 2006 photo)


Siloam Double Classic is one of the daylilies I grow in my own garden today. Hybridizers have made some wonderful strides with daylilies. Almost every imaginable color, diamond dusted, doubles, spiders, and ruffled edges like old fashioned crinoline petticoats.

Double Classic is one of my early bloomers right behind Stella d'oro and Hyperion. The display goes on for weeks well into the heat of July. No pests or diseases and SDC increases fairly quickly. The flowers are variable and some of the first few are singles. Delicious peachy color, ruffled edges and a glowing yellow throat are some of the things I love about SDC. If the beauty alone isn't enough, she has a sweet fragrance.

Have a great weekend. Heres hoping everyone of you turn a corner and come upon a field of wild flowers to brighten your day.

62 comments:

troutbirder said...

They certainly are beautiful. Sometimes I find them in the deep woods and immediately begin looking for an abandoned farmstead.

Chloe m said...

Marnie,
Oh so stunning! Sometimes the wild ones are the best, because we don't have to take care of them. I always consider the wildflowers around the perimeter of my garden, part of my garden.
Your lilies are fantastic!
Rosey

Darla said...

I would love to turn the corner and see a field of wildflowers!

tina said...

I had to enlarge that roadside photo. It is so wonderful. These are the kind of pictures that gives one the feel of the area. It sure looks like a nice area! Poor kitty! Cats are the worst to give meds too.

JC said...

Nice field of flowers ..
Driving isn't too bad if there's something to look at ...
Nice of you to do that for your sister ..

Randy said...

Those are two of my favorite daylilies. You know, I would rather wrestle a 150 pound Rottweiler than give a cat a pill.--Randy

ShySongbird said...

How lovely to see Daylilies growing wild there. I love yours with the frilly edges, I particularly liked the colour of that one too.

Rose said...

I have been enjoying the display of "ditch lilies" the past few weeks, too, Marnie. I used to look down on these, thinking they weren't anything special, but I have changed my mind. They certainly brighten up the roadsides, and I've noticed lately many gardeners adding them--or a closely related hybrid--to their home gardens. My husband said that wherever you see them on the roadside, you can bet there was once a farmstead there.

TYRA Hallsénius Lindhe said...

Stunning Marnie! I've never seen anything like it...

xoxo Greetings from Tyra

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Yes, we will be out in those country roads looking for early fall migrants this weekend. I will be skywatching and flower watching as well. I hope you have a great weekend too and the cat forgives you for your services rendered. tee hee... Love the skywatch pictures as well as the daylilies.

TC said...

While reading this, I got the feelin you were a hemi-head (obsessed with the hemerocallis genus). Even so, that's okay, it's a worthy obsession I think. They're gorgeous. I have a couple named varieties, 'Texas Ranger,' and 'Pink Whispers.' TR was a pass-along plant from a Dave's Garden friend living in, yes, Texas.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

When I was growing up, we called those Daylilies "Tiger Lilies." I thought they were wildflowers. I've since learned I was wrong on both counts. You're lucky that you don't have Earwig problems with your Daylilies. The Earwigs attack the buds and flowers of mine and mar them.

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi Troutbirder, I do the same, look around for building foundations or some source.

Rosey, I agree, a more carefree flower can't be found. They even compete successfully with the grasses, burdock and garlic mustard.

Hi Darla, keep looking;)

Hi Tina, they usually keep the roadside mowed but they spared this fencerow.

JC, I've taken every backroad that goes in the general direction. I love driving on these roads, poking along at 40mph and gawking;)

Randy, she isn't difficult to medicate. She just hates it so much that when she sees me walk in she starts to salivate and her eyes even water. It's involuntary but pretty messy. Poor little thing, she is the gentlest cat you could imagine.

Songbird, I like all the colors but the pink shades are my favorite. They don't look as summery but I just love pink.

Marnie

raccoonlover1963/Lisa Myers said...

Hi Marnie. I love your flower pics. I haven't done much in the way of flowers yet this year. I've been doing more birds and horses, but I do have a nice Lilly on my new post.
Hope to see you come visit.
Take care
Lisa

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hey Rose, your husband must be right. They don't seed like a lot of flowers we see along the roads. A lot of people plant the old fashioned ones around mailboxes, poles, barns etc. Pretty.

Hi Tyra, guess they aren't as common in your country as they are here.

Hi Lisa, hope you see a lot of pretty scenery while you're driving around out there;)

Hi TC, actually not at all. I like daylilies because they don't require any care. When I moved to this farm I bought a 'package' from Gilbert Wild and over the 15-years of so they have increased. Now I have all these old varieties that don't rebloom so I add a newer one or two every year. I am partial to plants that have no pests and need no watering.

MMD, mine don't have any serious pests--YET. The earwigs content themselves with the coneflowers and seem to leave the daylilies alone. My Dad always called them Tawny Daylilies, a name used back in his childhood.

Marnie

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi Lisa, nice to see you again. I'll come look at your birds and horses. I used to raise quarter horses and love to see photos.
Marnie

indicaspecies said...

I'm doing a Skywatch post after a long time too.

There is something so endearing about wildflowers. These fields of ditch lilies are absolutely stunning and they have delighted my senses. Thank you for sharing. Happy Skywatching!

Rune Eide said...

That sky looked threatening - I hope the rain did not destroy the lovely flowers.

PS Thank you for the comment!

Unknown said...

Love those moody skies...

The day lilies look beautiful against them..

Great shots..

Carver said...

Gorgeous shots. I love how the sky looks above the fields of flowers. Thanks for visiting mine and to answer your question, yes that is a crepe myrtle in my shot.

Sherri said...

Marnie, the lilies are absolutely beautiful!! I love the Double Classic one-so gorgeous!!

Meems said...

Marnie,
One of my favorite passages in your opener! And Oh, those daylilies must be stunning to witness. I am no good with them in my garden ... for some reason I haven't come upon the right combination for here. I haven't tried too hard just feeling like it's one of those things that just won't work here...

I, too, love a nice drive in the scenic countryside! Your daylilies are just beautiful... so many layers and ruffles.
Meems

sweetbay said...

Great shots Marnie. Wouldn't you know that my 'Kwansa' (double ditch lilies) are blooming here too? I got them when one of my parents' neighbors dug theirs up and threw them on the ground by my parents' pond. One man's trash is another woman's treasure. :)

Lola said...

Hi Marnie, I believe that is the lily that I inherited with the house. They don't bloom much. Maybe I'm not fertilizing them enough. I think they are pretty & plan to divide them & spread them around.

Erin said...

beautiful blooms make the drive so much better :)
hoping your little patient warms up to you ^..^
enjoyed readying your post.

Ebie said...

Not only is the sky gray, but I see a hint of light pastels, what a delight! The depth of your picture is like looking at a vast of land with an unending flowers i bloom. Love the double day lilies and its light color. Thank you for the visit.

Ebie said...

Take care of the kitty. We just rescued and adopted one two months ago. The butterflies are pretty and we are going back to the Museum for another look and photo op.

Lori Skoog said...

First, I want to thank your for visiting my Journal. Second!!!! Your flower photos are FABULOUS! Nice site.

SandyCarlson said...

Your lilies and your sky views are gorgeous.

Kathie Brown said...

I love the daylilies! I use to grow lilies in Maine and Utah, but I haven't tried it here in the desert. Yours look lovely!

BeadedTail said...

Those sky shots are wonderful! They look so ominous - if that's how it's spelled! The lilies are beautiful!

Corner Gardener Sue said...

What a fun post! I love how you included the Bible verse and the day lilies. They are all beautiful! I have lots of them, and only know a few of their names. Awesome photos!

Pat said...

What a great find !
Lucky you.

Susie said...

Marnie, I too enjoyed your back road drives. The lilies are so nice to see. I enjoyed my lilies when they were blooming but unfortunately they are thru.

Okay I have to ask why does the cat have to take Prosac?

Photo Cache said...

Oh your lilies are beautiful. We have the pink one but single not double.

What a lovely countryside you call home.

Gail said...

Marnie...You've made me smile with absolute delight at all those day lilies! That's how the tawnies look best and entire field of them reaching for the sky...and the sky is a wonderful gray.

I have SDC someplace in the garden, but she didn't bloom! She's a beauty and if she's planted where I think...she might have to be moved closer to the Chocolate eupatorium!

Thank you...I hope you have a delicious weekend in the garden,

Gail

beckie said...

Marnie, the country roadsides around here are full of blooms. We have the lilies and prairie phlox, plus an assortment of other wildflowers. They seem especially prolific this year-I would guess because of the rain. I love your lilies. The Double Classic is gorgeous. Evertime I see a new variaty, I want it. :) Carol told us there are thousands of different ones-I've got to get busy planting!

Irene said...

I go wild when I come upon wildflowers...

Connie said...

That scripture is so fitting for your photo. I have never seed a field of lilies like that... just gorgeous!

Inday said...

The brilliance of your vivid and colourful descriptions make this blog as interesting as these ground orchids in their copious bloom. I wouldn't personally mind going by the back road either even if it means I have to walk a long way to get to your destination. But I feel sorry for Kitty why she has to take such nasty stuff.

Hope to see more of your beautiful countryside carpeted with wild flowers and your awesome poetic prowess.

Unknown said...

I am in love with lilies, any kind! So you made my day! :)

Gennasus said...

Came over after seeing your comment on Pyatshaw. Check this out and you'll see a collie that was at the show - http://speyvalleydtc.blogspot.com/

Love your flower shots.

Gennasus said...

There IS a collie. Did you go to the right blog? It's not mine but the one for Spey Valley dog club that I linked to. The collie is in the second photo down, at the front of the line.

Roses and Lilacs said...

Meems, I do believe that if you have to struggle to grow a plant it just isn't meant to be. Of course there are exceptions. I'm determined to grow foxgloves and go to some trouble to keep them.

Hi Sue, I have lots too but not many varieties.

SweetBay, LOL, that is certainly the truth. The Kwansa are beautiful.

Susie, the kitty has 'issues'. First of all she's an Exotic Shorthair which is essentially a short haired Persian and they are born with issues including physical problems. Second she lives with two young weimaraners who bounce off walls and run over cats.

Hi Gail, I'm trying a chocolate eupatorium for the first time. I don't usually add plants that are know to be water hogs but... Good luck with your SDC.

Beckie, a person could go bankrupt buying daylilies. I usually limit myself to a couple new ones a year. This year I ordered a wonderful creamy colored one with purple, heavily ruffled edging and a purple eye.

Bonnie the backroads are much better. I'm never in such a hurry that I don't have time to meander down a new road.

Gennasua, enjoyed seeing the collies and other dogs.

Marnie

vermontflowerfarm@outlook.com said...

Hi Marnie;

I enjoy seeing masses of common daylilies. During the past couple years I have been raising Kwanso (sure doesn't take much skill!) because so many people are asking for them at the nursery.

Often when new gardeners come by and start to talk about the masses of orange daylilies they have, I suggest integrating some other inexpensive daylilies here and there to begin a more colorful presentation. Over time this turns into a neat looking planting.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
http://thevermontgardener.blogspot.com
Vermont Flower Farm
http://vermontflowerfarm.com

A Wild Thing said...

I too was driving down a country road last week and took some pics of the lilies lining the gravel roads...I love them and they line every nook at the shack, a flower my Granny dearly loved too.

We're on the same path...country living...s

Unseen India Tours said...

Beautiful and lovely post !! So colorful flowers !! Great..Unseen Rajasthan

Cheryl said...

Hi Marnie....how beautiful to have daylillies growing wild......would love to have them along the ditches that surround my house....

I am always amazed when I see them posted on blogs....the blooms are so lovely.....it is a plant that I do not see very often here......

Anonymous said...

The Hemerocalis fluva - the orange 'ditch' lily - has a cousin, the Hemerocalis flava - the lemon lily. It was the favorite 'ditch' lily and those have pretty much disappeared from the wild. Everybody dug the yellow ones to bring home to their gardens!

Anonymous said...

Your photos are so pretty. Love your flowers and I love those "ditch" lilies. We have lots of them here also.

EG CameraGirl said...

The ditch lilies are gorgeous right now! What a lovely drive to take every day. ;-)

The Write Girl said...

Beautiful words to go with beautiful photographs. Thanks for your comments on my site.

Mary said...

Gorgeous! I love those double/triple ones and have a lot of them, too. Mine have been blooming for several weeks now! They have so many blossoms.

marmee said...

i did just that...i turned a corner in my own feild and have passion flowers growing like crazy...they are so odd looking but beautiful at the same time. i am glad you found some joy in having to do an unpleasant task...isn't that how we make it thru the mundane chores/schedules of life? i love the field of daylilies...wonderful.

marmee said...

ps
always loved that scripture!

Kathleen said...

awww, poor kitty. How great she has an "Aunt" like you to come tend to her. I read in one of your comments that she was an exotic shorthair? I hope you're taking some pics while you're visiting her? I'd love to see ~ Persians are my favorite but I don't have any experience with the short haired variety.

Now back to the flowers. I only wish we had fields of wildflowers like that around my house! We have some wheat, rye & corn. No flowers! They are gorgeous. No wonder you didn't mind the drive.

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Lucky you, having this to drive past. I can't believe these are growing wild! Lovely SWF shot.
Janice.

Pearl Maple said...

Beautiful photo for sky watch friday, the flowers are a lovely frame to your patch of sky.

Good luck with kitty, it is nice for your sister to have someone to trust with this important role.

Naturegirl said...

Marnie! Truly an amazing sight with rows upon rows of day lilies!
I agree a day like the one you describe is the best for taking good photos! Enjoy your week. hugs NG

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

The sky is so awesome in Colorado--and it often rains up in the mountains when the rest of the sky is bright blue--but did I get any photos of this? Nooooo.... doh!

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