Tag: Monarch butterfly

Serendipity

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Today, I had 39 cultivators in bloom. I may miss the peak over the next week – but until I am retired and can choose to separate my summer camping trip from daylily peak . . .

Monarch Butterfly on Black Eyed Susan 7.5.20

I was looking at my cell photos and posting to Facebook when I remembered that I didn’t get a shot of Black Eyed Susan. I went back out front to get one and I got a surprise visit from a monarch. Camo colors.

Maya Cha Cha 7.5.20

I had 3 premiers today – two were Ned Roberts spiders back for another year. Maya Cha Cha is one of my favorite because it reminds me of my granddaughter, Maia. It is so beautiful – just like she is.

Twirling Pinata 7.5.20

Twirling Pinata showed up for the first time since 2018. Not sure that happened last year. Weirdly, Purple Grasshopper and Cricket Call are both scapeless this year. Not sure why that happens – sort of miss my purple bugs.

Pardon Me 7.5.20

And, a little mini that I like called Pardon Me. I have had her for a long time – way before I was collecting daylilies like I am now.

Wild Horses 7.5.20

I had two finales – Kokopelli and Wild Horses. See ya next year!

Kokopelli 7.5.20

Tomorrow, I have an early appointment with my nurse practitioner. Best log off. Tomorrow – more serendipity.

Pink Spiders, Red Flags, and Things that Go Bump in the Night

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Today was another red flag day with a fair amount of wind. Nothing like we have had a few times this spring – but decidedly dry and breezy. And, as the clouds do so often in drought years, the grey clouds seem to tease as they drift by, only leaving a few drops of moisture behind.

Mauna Loa and friend, 6.29.20

The premiers today were mostly pink spiders. And, pink Ned Roberts spiders, at that. Now, trying to photograph a spider daylily with wind gusts up to 30 MPH is interesting. I am like a dentist trying to tell the wind to hold it’s breath until I snap the picture. My patient is non-compliant.

Rocky Mountain Pals 6.29.20

First premier pink spider was Rocky Mountain Pals. This daylily has a sweet story of being dedicated to the hybridizer’s cancer treatment team. I told the story to a co-worker today because she is battling cancer.

Pink Rain Dance 6.29.20

Next, big old Pink Rain Dance catches my eye. She is a huge bloom and such a great pastel pink. I can only guess Ned Roberts named her during a drought year in the Southwest.

Pink Enchilada 6.29.20

Funky named Pink Enchilada was also in my pack of pink premier spiders. Another big. floppy spider from my Roberts collection. I suppose they are all cousins, or something.

Prairie Blue Eyes 6.29.20

My last premier is an older daylily that deserves some credit for a bit of near blue – which didn’t happen much during the time she was hybridized. Prairie Blue Eyes opened her eyes for the first time in 2020 today.

All American Chief 6.29.20

I recounted scapes tonight and I think it is about 130 now. So, potentially a decent bloom rate. I can’t believe I’ll miss 6 days of it – but I will savor coming home to see the color.

Purple Many Faces 6.29.20

As for things that go bump in the night – it is probably just my cats playing with their toys at 2 AM.

A Classy Lady Comes to Town!

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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.

 

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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.

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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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.

 

Collage 2016-07-25 15_58_11

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 😉

The Monarch Has Landed!

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Today, I continue the wait for news.  I worry some, and know that my daylilies will pull me back into the moment. I step outside, with camera in hand (and a queezy stomach) to admire my days blooms.  I work it from the porch to the west edge of the walkway garden.  Then out to check some of my pots and the xeriscaped area before going out to check on my Southwest named Ned Roberts garden.  I am almost done, but decide to stop for one more shot of South Seas next to Primal Scream.  Routine.

And, then, I spot it . . . a large Monarch butterfly on Thin Man.  I quickly take my PowerShot out of close-up mode and attempt to focus on the distant flower.  The Monarch was flower-hopping.  From one to the next.  I got a few good shots . . .  in others, she seemed intent in hiding from me.  Here are my favorites.

 

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Monarch on an old Orange Vols bloom – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

 

 

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Monarch in the South Seas – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

 

 

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Monarch on the Orange Vols – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

 

The only new bloom for 2016 today is Baja.  For some reason, this is one of my favorites each year.

 

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Baja – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C  Hartt

 

Of note, my other Primal Scream bloomed.  The one that was labeled Primal Scream (and not Desert Flame).  This was one of my <$5 fall sale daylilies.  It struggled with insects when I planted it.  I was unsure if it would come back in the spring, let alone bloom.  But, her it is.  The bloom is smaller than on the new nursery-bought plant that I thought was Desert Flame.  But it is a different location and year one for a smaller fan.  What do you think, same flower?  (Today’s bloom is on the left.)

Today’s collage is by garden area.  The top blooms are in my walkway garden.  The middle ones are in the xeriscaped area of my front lawn.  And, the last ones are in my Southwest named daylily (mostly Ned Roberts) to the West of my house.  Sadly, I believe we have seen the last Ruby Spider for the year 😦

 

Collage 2016-07-20 16_29_06

From L to R: Top Row: Mini Pearl, Chorus Line,  Prelude to Love, Primal Scream.  Second Row – Baja, South Seas, Thin Man.  Third Row – Indian Love Call, Lady Fingers, Fooled Me.  Bottom Row – Dream Catcher, Zuni Thunderbird, Aztec Firebird.

 

I wonder what blooms today’s monsoon will bring tomorrow?  Hopefully blooms of news!