Thursday, July 16, 2009

A flower's appeal is in its contradictions

... so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life yet long on effect. ~Adabella Radici

(Cherry red and very tall)

Plant of the month. Thank you Tina at In the Garden for suggesting this topic. Usually it would be impossible for me to choose only one plant for an entire month. Not so this year. The daylilies are really outdoing themselves in this unusually wet July. I may regret this choice in a week. My volcano phlox is about to bloom and I can't say enough good things about this phlox. Toward the end of July another phlox, David, should be covered in snowy blooms. If at the end of July you see another plant or two spotlighted as the plant of the month, don't be surprised--I'm fickle;)


(One of my favorites this deep wine colored small plant.)

June has fled, but this year the weather remains relatively cool and wet. Record rainfalls recorded for the month of June and we experienced a record low temperature on July 7 when the thermometer stalled in the mid sixties. Unusual weather for a prairie state but beloved by almost every plant in my garden.


Many years ago I ordered a 'collection' of daylilies from Gilbert Wild. It contained about 15 varieties, pinks, peachy blends, purples, yellows, deep burgundies and cherry reds. Over the years they have been moved around and divided and their names are lost in the mists and the mud and the winter snows. These are all older varieties that don't rebloom. Even so, for a few weeks in July they take center stage.

(Kwanso with its triple tiered bloom)

Occasionally I'll give away daylily plant or division. Usually I just dig up another patch of grass and plant the surplus daylilies that have become too crowded. They are much less trouble to tend than grass, they have no serious pests or disease here. Breaking off the hundreds of spent blooms is the extent of the care they require.



The daylily season really starts in June with golden Stella outshining the summer sun and continuing well into July. Siloam Double Classic follows in mid June and it too blooms on into July.

(Siloam Double Classic)


(Prairie Blue Eyes)

In the last five years, I've begun to lust after the newer doubles and pie curst edged types, all rebloomers. First I added Siloam Double Classic, which is a fantastic bloomer. Night Embers and Moses' Fire came three years ago. The last two are red doubles and disappointing in my garden. Neither has a high bud count and the flower color is muddy on both.

I just placed my 2009 order with Wild for three new plants:





An almost white
single, Joan Senior,

















(Gilbert Wild photos)




a bright yellow
double, Siloam Peony Display,










and Sabine Baur, a gorgeous peachy cream with a deep purple eye and heavy purple pie crust edging. Isn't she pretty. (Gilbert H. Wild Photos)


I'll have to wait until next July to see these bloom in my garden.

Last and certainly least, is my very own daylily born and bred on my farm. I'm not a daylily hybridizer, never even thought about trying to create a new variety. This was just one of those things that happen in the garden. In the midst of my Kwanza patch, where no hybrid daylily has ever been planted--up popped a creamy white single bloom (similar to Joan Senior which I ordered last week and never grew before). This has to be a daylily that started here from seed and wasn't noticed until it bloomed. So, since it's my very own, original daylily I'm going to name it Plain Jane;)

34 comments:

troutbirder said...

What an absolutely gorgeous collection of daylilies. I wish I had enough sun...and they are so carefree.

Randy said...

That Joan Senior photo is incredible. You need to frame it! Did you stage the photo or are all those plants growing together like that? If they are growing like that It must be a super GORGEOUS bed!Beautiful photos, everyone of them!--Randy

JC said...

Those are Gorgeous !!!

Makes me want to go out and buy some ...

joey said...

You have a stunning collection of beautifully photographed daylilies, Marnie. Kwanso's triple tiered bloom caught my eye! I have long forgotten the names of my daylilies (except for Stellas & Happy Returns) planted well over 25years ago and still going strong!

tina said...

'Plain Jane' is most lovely. And all yours which makes it more unique than any other daylily. Though you have many beautiful daylilies and they sure are special. I don't blame you a bit for choosing it as your plant of the month. They are all gorgeous! And it's pretty cool that you just keep planting more. I can just imagine the sight at your place! Thanks for the link. I do like hearing about each person's Plant of the Month. Oftentimes the plants are similar, but not always and the reasons for each plant are most diverse, just like us gardeners. I can't wait to see your phlox! I remember you talking of it last year and I tell you that I've looked everywhere for 'Volcano' and I've not found it anywhere. Such is life. Have a great day!

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi Troutbirder, carefree and drought tolerant. Two very important considerations in my garden.

Randy, the Joan Sr photo isn't mine, it belongs to Gilbert Wild but since I dropped some $$$ with them, I decided they wouldn't mind if I borrowed it;) Free advertising too.

Hi JC I know what you mean.

Joey, I don't remember most of mine either. There are millions of daylily cultivars and there doesn't really seem to be a reason for remembering all their names.

Hi Tina, it's hard to choose only one for an entire month. All this rain has made a difference in the daylilies and they might not be an obvious choice next year.

Marnie

Darla said...

I like the quote. Very impressive collection of Daylilies here. I must do something about buying more!!! Can't wait to see your Phlox blooming, I have so fell in love with Phlox this year and plan to have plenty of it next year!

Darla said...

Oh oh LOVE Plain Jane, perfect. She doesn't need a fancy name her beauty speaks for itself.

ShySongbird said...

They are all lovely Marni. You must be very excited about Sabine Baur, she is gorgeous and Plain Jane is so pretty!

Cheryl said...

Hi Marnie.....you have the most stunning display of day lillies. I never realised how many different blooms there were. For some strange reason they are not popular here and I must confess they do not do well in my garden.

I have to say if I could have one it would be your own little beauty. As a lover of simple white blooms it has my vote.....

A beautiful post......

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Daylilies are one of my faves too. I reallly like all your purples and ruffles. I even like Plain Jane. What luck to have one pop up like that. I should be so lucky.

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi Darla, you can't beat the prices on the 'collections', especially this time of year when sellers want to get rid of some plants.

Songbird, I am excited about Sabine. My first two picks from the catalog were sold out before I could get my order in but there is always next year.

Cheryl, I've heard people say that the sun in the US is more intense. Don't feel too bad, we simply cannot grow roses like you can in the UK.

Lisa, you my have that happen sometime. I wouldn't call little Jane a lucky happening, just interesting. I don't see any redeeming qualities in her;)

Marnie

BeadedTail said...

Oh my, they are all so gorgeous but I just love that deep purple one! Wow! Your blog is such sunshine for my day!

Jann said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous lilies, Marnie! And oh hey, I love, love the Stephanie Plum series! I'm on Lean Mean 13...trying to eke the books out, ha!

Balisha said...

Hi Marnie,
Those doubles are gorgeous. I have spent flowers to trim off mine tomorrow.Have a nice evening.

Susie said...

Plain Jane is beautiful! Marnie you have an outstanding collection of daylilies. They area all gorgeous.

Did you get a new header pic? It's really pretty.

Sherri said...

What gorgeous daylilies!! I have to say that Joan Senior is one of my all time favs! Thanks for sharing Marnie!

Beth said...

I love your new header Marnie!

Not much of a daylily fan but you sure have some beauties here ...

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi BeadedTail, I like that little purple one too. It really compliments all the other colors.

Hi Jann E. isnt' Stephanie a hoot. There aren't many books that make me laugh out loud.

Balisha, that is the only tedious part about daylilies, all those icky dead flowers to remove.

Hi Susie, I don't see much beauty in Plain Jane, no color, no ruffles, not enough petals.

Hi Sherri, Joan Sr should compliment a lot of other plants.

Hi Beth, thank you. I had a hard time sizing it to fit Blogger's frame. The drop shadow and frame are kind of different.

Marnie

Rose said...

"Plain Jane" is anything but; she's a beauty! How exciting to have your very own lily!

This post is perfect timing, Marnie. Beckie and I just discovered there's a daylily farm not far from here, and we're planning to visit it next week. I'll keep your recommendations in mine; are there any other re-bloomers you would highly recommend besides the Siloam? And, of course, I must have a Prairie Blue Eyes:) Love your new header!

sweetbay said...

I wish you still had the names of those daylilies, they are gorgeous!! lol I must try Joan Senior.

Judy said...

Hi, Marnie - I simply could not pick one flower for a month, unless it was peonies, and even then I could not be faithful that long!! I love all the photos you have posted. I read the words, then had to make a second post to admire the flowers properly! I happen to like Plain Jane - she is just that - plain and unpretentious with a beauty all her own. I hope she is a workhorse, too.

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi Rose, no recommendations. Just buy the shapes and colors you like. Your trip sounds like fun. Take pictures!!! I just got my order from Wild. Perfect timing. I'll get them planted tomorrow.

Hi SweetBay, just get a catalog and pick out what you like. I'm sure they will be better than mine because the bloom count is higher on the newer ones and many will re-bloom later if deadheaded.

Hi Judy, Jane is indeed plain. This is the first year she's bloomed but she doesn't have a very high bud count.

So many people liking Jane. I'm open for business. Place your orders here;) (Kidding)

Marnie

A Wild Thing said...

To me the day lily is queen of the summer, but like you, I have a love of so many...however the lily is the one that makes me feel at home! I MUST get me some of those pie crust...TO DIE FOR!!!

I'll be checking out that nursery, thanks for the info.

sharon

Chloe m said...

I just noticed your new header!
WOW!
Gorgeous lilies, you are so lucky! And talented.
I hope those new lilies grow great for you. Such lovely colors!
Rosey

Anna said...

just found your wonderful blog
the pictures are gorgeous, what colours..
Gr. Anna

http://averyfairygarden.blogspot.com/

oldcrow61 said...

Your Lilies are gorgeous. I'm still waiting for mine to bloom.

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

I love my boring orange day lilies, which I can see clearly in my way back garden from the living room! :)

Kerri said...

Your lilies are glorious, Marnie. The wine and yellow lilies look great side by side and I love Prairie Blue Eyes. But then, I love them all!
I have Joan Senior and she has done very well, with vigorous growth and plenty of blooms. Still in bud this cool summer so far...and she was first to bloom last year!
Plain Jane is beautiful. Lucky you :)
You asked how I keep up with all my garden beds. Not very well!!! I'm way behind this summer with the unaccommadating weather.
If you send me your address I'd be happy to mail you cuttings of the sedum. It roots very easily. My e-mail addy is in my profile.

beckie said...

Marnie, I don't blame you for picking the daylily as the plant of the month. There is such variety and beauty to be found in these-and they require almost no care.

Yours are beautiful, I couldn't pick a favorite. Rose and I are planning an adventure to a daylily farm next week. Will take pictures of the ones we drool over.

Anonymous said...

I can see why you named the Daylillies in your garden as the plant of the month. The creamy white tones are nice as well as the deep purple shades. Can't wait to see how your new additions do next season! :)

TC said...

Your 'Plain Jane' looks like it might be of an oriental variety. Pretty though.

I love it when a gardener utters "lust after." In a unique way, it whispers eroticism that I associate with many flowers. ;~)

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I can see why you named daylily the plant of the month. When I saw the wine colored one, I thought that was going to be my favorite, but then the others were awesome, too! Congratulations on your Plain Jane! She is pretty! I love the ones you ordered, too!

I never had the names of most of mine, but ordered several last year, and the only name I remember is Wally, because that's the reason I ordered them. I also got a few plants from a local place that was going out of business. I didn't go to the sale right away, and by the time we got there, they mostly had some that had numbers, not names. Now, I don't remember for sure which ones were from there, and which, besides Wally and a couple others that were from the order.

I have trouble remembering the varieties of plants I grow, and seem to have the tags sticking out of the ground, and showing themselves in photos, but when I want to find one to look up a name, they are nowhere to be found.

You mentioned statice in your comment on my post. I normally buy plants, but this year grew 2 different kinds from seeds started inside. I don't think I remember which were put where, though.

I hope your weekend is going well!

100 Thoughts of Love said...

All lovely, but my favorites are the common oranges....