The two hemerocallis pictured above are two of several seedlings from an acquaintance who is a successful hybridizer here in northeastern Wisconsin.
This year we cut the daffodil bed foliage back by half soon after they bloomed. Cool temps from the past two springs caused the foliage to elongate and bury the emerging daylilies. Hopefully this will help the daylilies without damaging the daffodils. This area is just starting to bloom but it appears I may have started watering too late and the condition of some plant's foliage is less than perfect...
In other parts of the property, white clover is taking over the lawn grass as seen below. I am really at odds as I prefer grass as seen in the second photo below, but also have concerns about using herbicides other than on the occasional lawn weed. Right now I'm tempted to let the clover stay... after all, I know some grass mixes actually incorporate it and it is good for the environment. The only drawback for me is that it means I have to edge the beds more frequently as it rambles in much more rapidly than grass.
At any rate... back to the subject of daylilies... I now have 600 of my own hybrids and they are planted neck to neck. My plan was to move them as they bloomed if I felt they were worth keeping. With extreme temps and virtually no rain in two months, that doesn't seem wise. Here are four of the results of my efforts that opened today...
Clematis are still going strong... here is Violacea Venusta accompanying blooms of the
asiatic lily Grand Cru ...
This is Matka Ursula Ledochowska...
... and this is Avant Garde...
Pictured here are a couple containers from the gardens.... on the left are three plants of Crown of Thorns, and on the right one of my cattle tanks which is starting to fill out.
In closing, I have to say that the drought and extreme heat and wind are starting to take a toll on the gardens. I haul about hoses and water 24/7 ...I'm thankful for this ancient well from the early days of the cheesefactory which keeps going year in and year out, despite being only 35 feet into the ground. Unfortunately, well water is a far cry from rain water, and the gardens are starting to show that... if we don't get rain soon, the plants will start to show yet more stress... my larger concern is for the farmers around us several of whom have recently been plagued by cut worms with disastrous effects. I visited a friend of mine yesterday who has an immense collection of hostas that have been desecrated by the cut worm moths. Even in a drought, I am reminded once again that there is much to be thankful for as these insects have not located my gardens.
The photo below was taken backlit by the setting sun... I try to take advantage of this sort of situation when I can. Another example that works well is putting tricolor beeches where they pick up the late day light... it sets their foliage on fire!
Take care, Larry
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