Last blog, I compared daylilies to popcorn – starting to pop slowly, then reaching peak season.  That is a good analogy, but it is incomplete because each kernel of corn is the same basic size and color.  So, my other analogy is an advent calendar minus the religious meaning.

Kokopelli 6/5/18

When I was a kid, I loved my advent calendars every year.  I have curiosity as a strength, so opening that little paper window every day was thrilling to me.  What was behind door #1, door #2 and door #3?  So, something in daylily blooms that is like opening a surprise door to see each cultivator.   Today’s doors were Kokopelli and Saratoga Springtime.

Saratoga Springtime 6/5/18

This time of year, I hunt scapes every day.  Today, I bet I found half dozen new ones . . . Route 66, Happy Returns, a couple of mystery ones, and one from the Southwest garden (but I forgot which one).  And, last but not least, Nurse’s Stethoscope!

Nurse’s Stethoscope scape 6/5/18

I am super jazzed about Nurse’s Stethoscope because I helped to name it!  You see, during that whole deal about “Show me your stethoscope” a few years ago, I posted the suggestion to the national daylily society Facebook page.  The hybridizer is also in healthcare – she liked the name and the next year Nurse’s Stethoscope became a registered daylily.  I held off buying her because she is new and still expensive.  But, last year, I decided she would be the last major daylily purchase (other than replacements) for my yard.  She cost $100.  I thought myself crazy, except I helped to name her.  She is my daylily legacy!  I worried all winter that the drought would kill her – and winter waterings hold some risk with freeze-thaw plant loss.  But, she turned green and got big.  Today, there they were, two beautiful scapes.  Advent calendar joy fills my heart!

A photo of Nurse’s Stethoscope from her hybridizer’s page