John and Diane Demory Come to Visit

Good Evening Daylily Friends,

Today has been a good day in the daylily garden. The morning started well when our new friends, John and Diane Demory, came to visit from their home in Valparaiso, Indiana. John wanted to have three of our 2010 introductions growing in his garden this winter. First, John wanted IRISH HALO. This is seedling 7-233. IRISH HALO will be the new name of this introduction. Second, John wanted EMERALD LACE. This is seedling 7-224. Third, John wanted RED SAPPHIRE. This is seedling 7-239, and is posted on the "future introductions" page of my website. John wanted these introductions because he has been following this Blog, and because he believes that these three new introductions will add beauty to his garden. In my humble opinion, John has made a good choice. I'm showing a picture of John and Diane who are seated, and myself and my beautiful wife Diana Rae, and we are standing.

John's choice of IRISH HALO and EMERALD LACE are good decisions for several reasons. First, these are the very f-i-r-s-t tall daylilies on the market that are reliable, that will stand the winter weather, that are authentic in their colors, and that are wonderful parents. Green edged daylilies are making their way into the daylily world, and these two new introductions are at the very pinnacle of being the very, very best. Indeed, it took me 7 years to create IRISH HALO and EMERALD LACE. First I crossed LESLIE RENEE with ANGELS GATHER AROUND. Then, the next year, I took two of the best from this cross, and then crossed these seedlings with each other. Then, the new seedlings from this second round of crosses were placed outside where they grew for two years before they bloomed. Then, Seedlings 7-224 and 7-233 grew for two more years before they were ready for introduction. We are now entering year number seven. I know that IRISH HALO and EMERALD LACE are ready for their northern experience because they grew outside, they bloomed outside, and for the most part, they multiplied outside in our north Georgia weather. To see these daylilies you might look back at the posts on August 8, June 23 and June 20, 2009.

I would also report that IRISH HALO was entered as a seedling in our Galleria Daylily Show. There were approximately 500 daylilies entered in the show, and there were 15 Judges who looked at all of the entries. When all the Judging was finished, all 15 Judges determined that IRISH HALO was the "Best in the Show." A new daylily "seedling" cannot win the votes of 15 individual Judges, and earn the distinction of being the "Best in the Show," unless it is truly and genuinely outstanding. IRISH HALO is this outstanding.

I also cannot say enough about EMERALD LACE. It actually has more green on the edges of its petals than IRISH HALO. However, it does not have as many lateral branches, and its self has a quilted appearance.

John also choose RED SAPPHIRE. This is a wonderful red eyed daylily, and the eye has a diamond shape. The red entends from the eye onto the petals, and at the edge of the petals is a beautiful gold edge. When RED SAPPHIRE is fully mature teeth often appear on the edge of the petals. RED SAPPHIRE first bloomed outside, and it has 4-way branching, a 6" flower, and about 25 buds. It is 30" tall, and is a first class beauty. John has shown good judgment to have been waiting for this 2010 introduction of RED SAPPHIRE. I am showing a picture of RED SAPPHIRE so that everyone can see how it appears at full bloom.

John and Diane were also surprised when they visited our Greenhouse because they saw so many of our seedlings growing. Indeed, our seedlings have emerged very quickly from the soil, and I am showing one picture to give a visual image of what was seen by John and Diane. Some of the seedlings are up and growing a full inch out of the peat pots, and others are just pushing through the soil. It is obvious that we will have a good rate of germination, and that the new seedlings will be a delight in April of 2010. It is important to have the seedlings growing at this time because they will have the opportunity to adapt and settle in for the coming winter. The roots will be well settled in the places where they are ultimately planted, and there will be no disturbance of the roots as they move toward their time of bloom. When growing daylilies there is a "time schedule" that must be maintained. If daylilies are planted later than what I have done, then the lost time most likely cannot be reclaimed. There simply will be no blooms during the first year of growth. The hybridizer will have to wait two years. Most of my friends do not want to have to wait for two years.

To enlarge any picture, simply "click" on the picture.

Again, thanks to John and Diane for visiting us at the Kennesaw Mountain Daylily Gardens.

Bill