My venture into Daylilies started many years ago when I was trading plants through the mail. One trade included a small double fan of something simply labeled as a Daylily. My first thought was that they were all orange or yellow, and only bloomed for a day, did I really want to set aside valuable garden space for that? Since we had just moved to our "forever house" in the country, I decided that I had plenty of space to spare, so would plant it and see what it looked like.
To my surprise in a years time it had increased to about 5 fans, and most amazingly bloomed pink! Now I had to know what it's name was, and while on that quest discovered the wonders that are Daylilies. There are thousands of Daylily varieties, so of course I was never able to put a name to my pink wonder, but that quest was an education and changed my life.
As I've walked this path in my life, I have discovered that my true love is in hybridizing. I am now a hobbyist and downsizing the garden to those plants that thrill me in some way and/or I want to use as parents. Along the way, I've discovered that I really do love yellow and orange daylilies.
The daylily world is full of wonderful people willing to share information and experience, and I've been and continue to be the beneficiary of that. I am especially indebted to my friends John Kulpa, Pat Salk and Bill Kapustka who have not only shared their wealth of knowledge with me, but their friendship and support. (Plus tons of plants!)
I'm also indebted to Judy Davisson who has generously shared her vast knowledge and experience with me. If only I had gotten into Daylilies when she still lived in Michigan!
Special thanks to my friend Teresa Dillon who has supported me in many ways and made it possible for me to start fulfilling one of my original goals. I have now introduced a series of Daylilies that honor the members of the 8th Air Force and the sacrifices they made to help keep us free.
To my surprise in a years time it had increased to about 5 fans, and most amazingly bloomed pink! Now I had to know what it's name was, and while on that quest discovered the wonders that are Daylilies. There are thousands of Daylily varieties, so of course I was never able to put a name to my pink wonder, but that quest was an education and changed my life.
As I've walked this path in my life, I have discovered that my true love is in hybridizing. I am now a hobbyist and downsizing the garden to those plants that thrill me in some way and/or I want to use as parents. Along the way, I've discovered that I really do love yellow and orange daylilies.
The daylily world is full of wonderful people willing to share information and experience, and I've been and continue to be the beneficiary of that. I am especially indebted to my friends John Kulpa, Pat Salk and Bill Kapustka who have not only shared their wealth of knowledge with me, but their friendship and support. (Plus tons of plants!)
I'm also indebted to Judy Davisson who has generously shared her vast knowledge and experience with me. If only I had gotten into Daylilies when she still lived in Michigan!
Special thanks to my friend Teresa Dillon who has supported me in many ways and made it possible for me to start fulfilling one of my original goals. I have now introduced a series of Daylilies that honor the members of the 8th Air Force and the sacrifices they made to help keep us free.
I try to pass along the acts of kindness of these friends to others.
Last Updated: March 19, 2020
