Bluegrass Blues

July 2, 2017July 2, 2017Leave a comment

Today, at long last, I get to tell the story of Bluegrass Music because she bloomed! When I first started getting savvy about buying bare root daylilies, I learned that there were no true blue ones. This made me want blue ones!!! We always want what we can’t have. So, I found this one on a website and tried to order . . . it was a weird process, but I finally called them. They had one small fan of this one left, but it would be $50. Well, I had to have my addiction fix, so I bought the one small fan as the first of a handful of near blue daylilies. PS – I have not ordered from that place since – you can get these on the Lily Auction for $25 for 2 fans.

Other newcomers – This one is Heron’s Cove. It has a story of being a wanna be near blue. I lost a near blue and this one was an economical one. BTW a much more ethical grower told me to expect it not to look blue except in exceptional circumstances. I want to get out to see it before the sun hits it next time.

Prairie Blue Eyes (I am pretty sure) showed up in my yard today . . . in an unexpected place. It is in one of my driveway pots, but it did not put up scapes this year. Interestingly, I had some daylilies in my back garden, but it was too shady and the daylilies there were slowly dying back. So, two years ago, I fixed it so they had more sun, water and better soil. This one, I moved to the front garden last year not having a clue what it was. (I did not always know names or label them). So, it was stunning to see this little one open in the front garden. Makes me think I need to move the others to a sunnier spot.

Zuni Thunderbird is one of my favorites, but the thrips like it and the first blooms are always a little beat up. Need to spray it today. Think I will take a nap first, though.

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 Long and the Short of it

July 18, 2016July 18, 2016Leave a comment

Today, when I walked outside for the first time, my garden smiled at me. At first, I thought I wouldn’t have many blooms. But, 15 or so cultivators is good. I’m a bit on-edge today, waiting for some news. I love the garden because it causes me to live in the moment.

So, some new faces today. One of the new Ned Roberts spiders that I put in last fall joined the others that have bloomed in the new garden. This is Dream Catcher – a sibling to Dream Keeper, which was one of my earliest bloomers.

Dream Catcher – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

And a much more traditional bloom reappeared for the first time in 2016 – Fooled Me.

Fooled Me – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

Both are gorgeous orange colors, but the shapes are so different. Daylilies are like dogs . . . there are long ones and short ones. But, a dog is always a dog.

Another one I am highlighting today is Inwood. Her first bloom was so misshapen that it was almost unrecognizable. She only put out one scape, so savor and move her to more light. Today’s blossom was perfect!

Inwood – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

Oh, and I wanted to feature a couple of triplets: Blue Beat and South Seas. I have mixed opinion on seeing more than one bud get used up in a day, but they are pretty in the moment.

Blue Beat – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

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

And, the collage for today features the spiders at the top. Just look at all the variety of shape and color. Cheaper than therapy, and they smell good!

From L to R: Top Row – Aztec Firebird, Dream Catcher, Ruby Spider, Lady Fingeres. Middle Row – Blue Beat, Early Bird Cardinal, Indian Love Call, Inwood, Mesa Verde. Bottom Row – Prairie Blue Eyes, Soco Gap, Mini Pearl, South Seas.

Welcome, Pastels!

July 13, 2016July 13, 2016Leave a comment

When I think of daylilies, I often think of the huge, bright blossoms that I love. This morning, though, I found a stunning bouquet of smaller pastel blooms. They provide a nice contrast in the garden, for sure.

The lightest one is Lullaby Baby. I almost miss it every year.

Lullaby Baby – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

Mini Pearl – the one named for my grandma! She is new to my yard this year.

Mini Pearl – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

Then Chorus Line – an old favorite.

Chorus Line – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

And, this sweet Ned Robert’s bloom – Desert Icicle. Man, I could use an icicle in this Colorado desert today!

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

Isaac may be a little brighter yellow than pastel, but nice small, simple blossom.

Isaac – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

And, Blue Beat came into the world of the Colorado Plateau today. This is a very nice near blue color – I am really pleased at the color it produced. It is a first year for this one. I would call it pastel tones, too.

Blue Beat – Photo by Colorado Kid Daylilies – C. Hartt

The collage today has one of the pastel/small blooms next to the traditional blooms. It creates a bit of a stiped appearance.

From L to R. Top Row: Blue Beat, Jungle Queen, Chorus Line, Lady Fingers. Row Two: Lullaby Baby, Return A Smile, Desert Icicle, Ruby Spider. Bottom Row: Mini Pearl, Mildred Mitchell, Isaac, Prairie Blue Eyes.

I believe that is 37 different cultivators that have bloomed so far this year. I have 20-30 different ones with scapes right now. It looks like I may go over my 50% goal. (I have 130 +/- in my yard. I’m addicted!) I have not given up on the ones without scapes yet. I love the late bloomers!

Daylilies @ Dusk

July 11, 2016July 11, 2016Leave a comment

I made it home to find 11 different daylily cultivators in bloom. Thing is, though, it was dusk. And, it had been a very warm day. In the 90s. So, my little friends were too burned to take good flash photography. So, I went with grainy natural lighting with some photo-fix to help.

New bloom in my Ned Roberts garden is Desert Icicle. I am hoping for a fresh one very soon! Pretty thing. Prarie Blue Eyes is on oldie but goodie in my yard. Great older daylily. And, what I think is Just Plum Happy. I hope it is in bloom tomorrow with Return a Smile so I can confirm identity. Other than that, I believe they are all returns this year. Can’t wait to see what the daylight brings.

Top row: Just Plum Happy, Canyon Colors, Margaret Mitchell, and Return a Smile. Second row: Lady Fingers, Purple De Oro, Desert Icicle, Early Bird Cardinal, Ruby Spider. Bottom row: Soco Gap and Prairie Blue Eyes.

Colorado Kid Daylilies

A Blog About My Western Colorado Daylily Adventure

Tag: Prairie Blue Eyes