It’s The Peak – Sunday Roll Call

July 9, 2018July 9, 2018Leave a comment

Well, I tried to post on Friday night, but no internet. Saturday, some internet, but my phone is crashing all of the apps since the last android update. Yes, right in the middle of peak season.

So, here are the new faces from Friday

Skinwalker 7.6.18

Echo Canyon 7.6

Iktomi 7.6

Chorus Line

Blue Beat 7.6

Bella Lugosi 7.6

And here are Sunday’s additions:

Lacy Doily 7.8

Nosferatu 7.8

Red Hot Returns 7.8

South Seas 7.8

So, that is 10 new additions since my last post – and I missed a couple of new faces while camping yesterday, but they will have another chance. For now, let me finish roll call. All daylilies that bloomed between 7/2 and today – here we go. Which is your favorite?

Alabama Jubilee 7.3

Aztec Firebird 7.8

Black Arrowhead 7.2

Black Eyed Susan 7.6

Black Ice 7.5

Bluegrass Music 7.3

Canyon Colors 7.5

Catherine Irene 7.6

Chaco Canyon 7.5

Cheyenne Eyes 7.6

Chokecherry Mountain 7.3

Comanche Princess 7.6

Dark Mystery 7.5

Dream Catcher 7.5

Early Bird Cardinal 7.3

Electric Lizard 7.6

Funny Valentine 7.8

Happy Hopi 7.6

Happy Returns 7.3

Heron’s Cove 7.5

Holy Sombrero 7.5

Hopi Jewel 7.3

Indian Giver 7.3

Inwood 7.6

Isaac 7.5

Jungle Queen 7.8

Just Plum Happy 7.3

Lady Fingers 7.5

Laughing Feather 7.2

Longlesson Show-off 7.6

Lullaby Baby 7.8

Mellon Balls 7.5

Mesa Verde 7.4

Mildred Mitchell 7.5

Mini Pearl 7.5

Navajo Rodeo 7.8

Nurse’s Stethoscope 7.8

PaPa Longlegs 7.6

Passionate Returns 7.6

Petite Petticoats 7.3

Pick of the Litter 7.5

Pink and Cream 7.6

Pink Raindance 7.4

Prairie Blue Eyes 7.5

Prairie Wildfire 7.6

Prelude to Love 7.5

Primal Scream 7.4

Purple de Oro 7.6

Purple Grasshopper 7.4

Purple Many Faces 7.5

Purple Mystique 7.5

Raven Woodsong 7.4

Red Riddle 7.5

Return a Smile 7.6

Route 66 7.4

Ruby Spider 7.8

Ruby Stella 7.5

Shape Shifter 7.6

Soco Gap 7.5

Stella 7.5

Stephanie Returns 7.5

Strutter’s Ball 7.5

Taco Twister 7.6

Talon 7.8

The Colorado Kid 7.6

Thin Man 7.5

Treasure of the Southwest 7.4

Wild Horses 7.5

Wild Rose Fandango 7.4

Wineberry Candy 7.4

Yellow Punch 7.6

Zuni Thunderbird 7.4

Tis the Season!

July 4, 2018Leave a comment

Oh, man, I jinxed myself. Last night, I said that we only needed 12 more cultivators to bloom to match last year’s total bloom rate. We need 79 cultivators total to tie! My count says we are now at 75. Last night, we were at 67. Do the math – we had 8 new cultivators today. Oh, help. And, I went and had my labs drawn before work and still got everything photographed. All we need is 4 more tomorrow – and judging from buds, we will surpass last year’s bloom rate on July 4th! Last year, we did not have this many different cultivators until November!

So, away we go with new intros. I had two new Ned Roberts spiders today. The first one is Taco Twister. She reminds me of Happy Hopi – guessing they are related. It is her first bloom ever in my yard. The Southwest Garden upgrades last year are primarily responsible for the better bloom rate – and Taco Twister is one of the helpers!

Taco Twister 7/3

Shape Shifter also made her first-ever visit today to the Southwest Garden. She lives up to her name.

Shape Shifter 7/3

The Walkway Garden is starting to pop – so that was where the newest blooms came from. Most of those are old, familiar faces. The first one is Mellon Balls. I have had her a couple years – she was a bonus mini.

Mellon Balls 7/3

Prairie Wildfire is one of my older daylilies that got moved to the Walkway garden a couple years ago and she is so much happier. Love her red!

Prairie Wildfire

Then there is my sweet little pastel Lullaby Baby. I have had her several years, too. Her blooms are much healthier looking now that she is in a pot.

Lullabye Baby 7/3

Pick of the Litter was a bonus daylily a couple years ago – she has been a reliable bloomer even before the pots. She will do even better this year, I think.

Pick of the Litter 7/3

Black Eyed Susan is in a planter out in the front yard with Stella and Candy Cane Dreams. She put on quite a show last year, so I can hardly wait.

Black Eyed Susan 7/3

Mildred Mitchell is over in the Blues section of the Walkway Garden. She is an older cultivator that I added a 2-3 years ago – at the same time as my other near blues. I like her flair.

Mildred Mitchell 7/3

Other blooms today were Talon, Comanche Princess. Navajo Rodeo, Chokecherry Mountain, Hopi Jewel, Happy Hopi, Zuni Thunderbird, Aztec Firebird, Catherine Irene, Happy Returns, Stephanie Returns, Alabama Jubilee, Stella, Route 66, Ruby Stella, The Colorado Kid, Bluegrass Music, Canyon Colors, Passionate Returns, Early Bird Cardinal, Red Riddle, Lady Fingers, Ruby Spider, Return a Smile, Funny Valentine, Petite Petticoats, Indian Giver, Yellow Punch, Wineberry Candy, Wild Horses,

Home!

July 16, 2017July 16, 20171 Comment

Today brought the 8-hour drive home, across the desert. A detour to pick up the dogs, then home to see what was in bloom. I have several new faces to share tonight. All were a little cooked by the time I pulled into the driveway at 3:30 PM.

Bela Lugosi is a new addition this year. I wanted big and purple. And, so it is.

On the softer side is the return of Lullaby Baby for 2017. She has been with me several seasons.

And, Marque Moon with a near white bloom with a nice ruffled edge.

Melon Balls makes me smile. Looks just like its name!

Thin Man is such a cool daylily – I love this one. It was in the very first order of daylily roots that I ever planted. I had no idea what to expect then.

The last one is a tiger, but I don’t know the name. The nursery was not sure what it was, so sold it to me at reduced price. I knew it was a tiger because several were in bloom near it . . . this is the first ever bloom for mine, even though I put it in last year.

Chicago Apache bloomed today, but I missed it and just now remembered. Not much point at 10:30 PM. I’ll feature it next time it blooms.

Tomorrow, I think there will be more new faces. Peak is here. Or very close. I noticed that desert icicle is sending up scapes. I keep hoping for more . . . a long season would rock. It’s good to be home.

Return a Smile :-)

July 29, 2016July 29, 2016Leave a comment

Today, no new blooms. I am impressed, however, that Return a Smile returned. It’s the one I divided into the front garden last year. It has never rebloomed in the container. That is cool. The old gal has grit.

Return a Smile: Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

In my positive psychology course, we are talking about how we tend to mimic the faces of those who we make eye-to-eye contact with. Smiling does usually get returned. And, they are calling this a form of love. So, I will credit my daylily for reminding me of that lesson today.

I decided to update my collage of Roberts daylilies that bloomed this year, as I think Ghost Ranch may be the last. I am still hopeful for late bloomers, but no scapes yet. This can always be updated. If I get 80% next year, It will be 40 or so cultivators.

Ned Roberts Spiders as of 7/29/2016 L to R: Top Row – Winds of Love, Black Ice, Aztec Firebird, Chief Four Fingers, Desert Icicle. Center: Skinwalker. Bottom Row: Ghost Ranch, Kokopelli, Dream Catcher, Zuni Thunderbird, Dream Keeper.

And, here is the collage of today’s blooms. Gratitude . . . Love, joy, and gratitude. A garden of positive emotion.

7/29/16 L to R: Top Row: Fine Time Lucille, Lullaby Baby, Dream Catcher, Baja, Return a Smile. Bottom Row: Orange Vols, El Desperado, Ghost Ranch, Marque Moon, Prelude to Love.

Back to the Drawing Board

July 27, 2016Leave a comment

Going back to the drawing board is both literal and figurative for me this day. And, when you are a creative, drawing boards can help generate positive emotion.

When I buy daylilies with southwestern names, I usually am attracted to names like Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon – places where I have been. With Ghost Ranch, I put the cart before the horse. Or, the daylily before the trip.

Oh, the name sounded southwestern, and it is a Ned Roberts bloom, so I Googled it. Much to my surprise, this place called Ghost Ranch was just over in my neighbor, New Mexico. At first, I saw it said no dogs. But, I did call the morning we were driving through that area on the road trip. Dogs, sure! Just bring a leash.

This is a beautiful place that is the subject of Georgia O’Keefe’s paintings. It is clearly on the Colorado Plateau – I knew as soon as saw the rock structures. The only downside was that we got there during the beginning of a good size windstorm, so hiking was not as fun and the light was rather muted. At any rate, here is Ghost Ranch on Ghost Ranch . . . my drawing board.

Ghost Ranch was the only new bloom today. I had 10 different cultivators today. Nice little smiles, each. My last Blue Beat, though. See you next year! No, wait. See you when I break out the Christmas present paint.

From R to L: Top Row – Classy Lady, Fine Time Lucille, Desert Icicle, Blue Beat, South Seas. Row Two: Primal Scream, Lullaby Baby, Ghost Ranch, Marque Moon, Mini Pearl.

A Classy Lady Comes to Town!

July 25, 2016July 25, 2016Leave a comment

Ah, now I think, perhaps, the season of blooms is slowing down a bit. At least as far as having a new cultivator every day or so. But, hey, today I had several plants with three or four blooms at once.

But, hold on! I did have a new girl today. Her name is Classy Lady. She was one of my fall auction purchases, along with Electric Lizard, Kokopelli, and Quilt Patch. It looks like Quilt Patch will be my only non-bloomer this year. I like this bloom – it has a shape like a gymnast. And, a nice color to match.

Classy Lady – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

Now, for my multiples – Marque Moon, Zuni Thunderbird, and South Seas. The only down side is they burn buds fast this way.

Marque Moon – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

Zuni Thunderbird – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

South Seas – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

And, today brought another visit from the monarch butterfly. This time, she chose the Mexican Daylily (Shellflower). I got several photos – the center of the collage is my favorite.

From L to R: Top Row – Chorus Line, Lullaby Baby, Pick of the Litter, Lime Frost. Row Two: Classy Lady, Mexican Daylily with Monarch Butterfly, Thin Man. Bottom Row: South Seas, Marque Moon, Stephanie Returns, Zuni Thunderbird.

Thank you, garden, for the therapy. Great positive emotion to get me through a Monday. Only 5 months until Christmas. I have a ton of painting to do this year 😉

Put the Lime in the Coconut!

July 24, 2016July 24, 2016Leave a comment

My computer just blitzed my first post – all but the last caption done. I think I could use a little lime in the coconut right now. At any rate, that song was going through my head this AM when I started looking at my garden. I think it was the sight of Lime Frost surrounded by two near-white daylilies, Marque Moon and Lullaby Baby. I guess the song was about a cure for morning sickness??? (Well, that is not my problem, although I treated it a lot during my midwifery practice years.) The new bloom, Melon Balls, sort of added to the fruity theme. This was a gift plant – and it looks like melon balls floating in my drink!

Melon Balls – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

That was the only new bloom today. The other one of that I am highlighting today is Mesa Verde. This cultivator has been blooming for a full month – and I have over 80 pictures of these gorgeous blooms. Unfortunately, today is the last bud unless she gets new life later in the summer. Every time I snap the shutter, I wonder how I will ever paint this on a Christmas present? Oh, I will. And, it will be a challenge to capture the full aura of this blossom.

Mesa Verde – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

The other highlight today is Zuni Thunderbird, one of my Ned Roberts babies. This one started with insect damaged blooms and I was less than impressed. But, the blooms have straightened out and the spots are mostly gone. I love the curls! This will be on a present, too, me thinks. (PS – Sounds like my tropical drink is up on the Colorado Plateau somewhere today!)

Zuni Thunderbird – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

So, for the collage today, I tried to get similar poses where the flower anatomy would allow me. Lucky 13 today. Now, off to do the work of a farmer and work on flower pot drainage.

L to R: Top Row – Lady Fingers, Zuni Thunderbird, Baja, Aztec Firebird, Dream Catcher. Second Row – Fooled Me, Lime Frost, Lullaby Baby, Marque Moon, South Seas. Bottom Row – Return a Smile, Mesa Verde, Melon Balls.

First Frost! (and 26 daylilies)

July 23, 2016July 23, 2016Leave a comment

No, it’s really 88 degrees. It would be warmer if the monsoon clouds weren’t providing some shade. No real rain yet, but cooler than the last few weeks. In fact, cool enough for frost. Well, Lime Frost.

When I arranged daylilies last summer, I put plant labels and entered each location in my software. However, it doesn’t really sink in what is where until they bloom and then you remember to color. So, when I was checking for buds last night, I was surprised that Lime Frost looked full-term. This is booked as a very late season bloomer, but it is still mid-July. Oh, well, we had Desert Icicles so welcome to our delusion of cold weather.

Lime Frost – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

Another brand new face is Autumn Jewel. This was a gift plant – this spring. A later gift plant, even. I love the bloom. It is a relative of El Desperado. It’s slated as another late bloomer. But, here it is anyway.

Autumn Jewel – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

Fine Time Lucille is another brand new face today. I ordered her last summer when I was first learning the online order thing. The name sold this one . . . I have been humming the song all day.

Fine Time Lucille (with Primal Scream) – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

And, Skinwalker showed up in my Southwestern garden today . . . these first blooms are sometimes a little rough looking. Hoping for more soon from this one!

Skinwalker – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

Of mention is that Electric Lizard, having been fertilized, put in another pale bloom. I now wonder if it has too much sun. I am getting some more fans at a summer sale, as I think it would look better a little fuller.

Electric Lizard – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

So, here is the collage with all 26 blooms. I tried for rainbow order, as I had both a near-blue and a green in bloom today.

From L to R: Top Row – Baja, Indian Love Call, Ruby Spider, Thin Man, Soco Gap. Second Row – Orange Vols, Primal Scream, Aztec Firebird, South Seas. Third Row – Mini Pearl, Mayan Poppy, Pick of the Litter. Fourth Row – Skinwalker, Electric Lizard, Dream Catcher, Lullaby Baby. Fifth Row – Lime Frost. Sixth Row – Blue Beat. Seventh Row – Stephanie Returns, Prairie Blue Eyes, Return A Smile, Fine Time Lucille. Eighth Row – Blackthorne, Zuni Thunderbird, Purple de Oro, Autumn Jewel.

As peak lingers, I begin to think of next year. I want to do more work with the Southwest garden. Maybe some compost or manure around each plant. Loosen the soil around the roots and add the amendments. That area has been sterile of plants so long, it probably could use some bio additives. Pots, yes, some need to be relocated. Others need pebbles in the bottoms. It will be fun moving them inside the porch this winter – the evergreens. I have had 57 different cultivators bloom so far this year. Next year, 100 by this time! Let’s do it!

The Rainy Season (Monsoons!)

July 19, 2016July 19, 2016Leave a comment

Yesterday, I believe we got our first monsoon of the year. They are a couple weeks late – and I have missed the cooling off effect that they bring to the evening. I am curious to see how the this impacts the blooming.

Today brought 19 cultivators. Two are new – and I mean new, new. They have not bloomed here before; both were added last fall. The first one represents my granddaughter, Maia, in the family section. Her name is Mayan Poppy. I love the pastel colors.

Mayan Poppy – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

The other one was a small one fan gift plant that I wasn’t sure would make it. And, if it did, I did not anticipate blooms this year. This is Heavenly Curls. As a nurse-midwife, I look at some of these and wonder how they ever bloom without a c-section.

Heavenly Curles – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

The collage today was kind of fun. I paired like-looking flowers. Some were closer matches than others. Gives it a different look.

From L to R: Top Row – Zuni Thunderbird, Ruby Spider, Aztec Firebird, Dream Catcher, Pick of the Litter, Mayan Poppy. Second Row – Return A Smile, Stephanie Returns, Lullaby Baby, Isaac, Mildred Mitchell, Purple De Oro, “Montrose Sunset” (unknown), South Seas. Bottom Row – Inwood, Blackthorne, Heavenly Curls, Indian Love Call, Soco Gap.

Still no news. Thank heaven for my garden. I believe that brings me to 53 blooms for the year. I may just make that mid-60s (50%) goal. Some of my later bloomers are getting scapes! Yea!!!

Twin Firebirds

July 16, 2016July 16, 2016Leave a comment

Today was much less overwhelming than peak day yesterday. Every bloom was a return. However, the bloom(s) that caught my eye were twin Aztec Firebirds. There is something about two blooms together, facing the same direction. They look like dancers.

Aztec Firebird – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

The name brings to mind Aztec Ruins, an Anasazi site close by in the Four Corners. I need to superimpose these blooms on the ruins picture from my spring Southwest road trip this spring. They are awesome ruins, just like the blooms.

Aztec Ruins National Monument – Photo by C. Hartt

Since I have no new blooms, I will highlight a couple of other Ned Roberts spiders in bloom today. Desert Icicle is a beautiful bloom.

Desert Icicle – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

And, poor Zuni Thunderbird was invaded by thrips and looks like it has reverse measles. I did some photo touching with it to make it presentable. One thing about having over a hundred cultivators – you begin to learn the work of farming daylilies.

Zuni Thunderbird in enamel – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

So, here is the collage for today. Some really nice blooms, all in all.

Left to Right: Top Row – Just Plum Happy, South Seas, Desert Icicle, Lady Fingers. Row Two: Chorus Line, Ruby Spider, Soco Gap, Lullaby Baby. Bottom Row: Purple de Oro, Aztec Firebird, Zuni Thunderbird.

Colorado Kid Daylilies

A Blog About My Western Colorado Daylily Adventure

Tag: Lullaby Baby