July 2008 Archives

Two new first blooms today:

All-American Baby


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Scatterbrain


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Scatterbrain hasn't bloomed since I bought it in 2004. Finally last year I moved it from where it was being overwhelmed by periwinkle. Lo and behold, it bloomed!

I know I haven't been showing garden long shots this year as I have in the past. It's very hard to keep the garden tidy with all the rain we've had (at one point we got a whole month's worth of rain in only three or four days). But if we get a break with the weather this autumn, I'll have a chance to work on things then.

Anyway, here is a view of the side garden bed with lots of daylilies blooming. It's not a true long shot, but it's a bit longer shot than I have been showing lately.

Side Garden Bed with Daylilies


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

A little story: I used to dislike Strawberry Candy (the daylily with three blooms at front right) because I had unwisely planted it next to a lavender-pink variety with which it clashed horribly. Last year I moved it down to the side bed, where the slightly apricot-pink looks absolutely gorgeous next to a tall, dark sedum. Honestly, if you are looking for a knockout colour combination, you really should try this. (I have taken many, many photos in an attempt to show off how well these plants look together, but somehow the camera can never capture it properly.)

In other news, I did finally get a fully open Peach Magnolia flower, even though I thought they'd all be half-closed this year because of the shape of the buds. So, here it is.

Fully Open Peach Magnolia


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

And finally, to give everyone a break from daylilies on this blog, here is a photo of some rudbeckia by the front porch.

Rudbeckia


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

...
Copyright © all rights reserved. All text and images in this post belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com.

Two new first blooms today:

All-American Baby


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Scatterbrain


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Scatterbrain hasn't bloomed since I bought it in 2004. Finally last year I moved it from where it was being overwhelmed by periwinkle. Lo and behold, it bloomed!

I know I haven't been showing garden long shots this year as I have in the past. It's very hard to keep the garden tidy with all the rain we've had (at one point we got a whole month's worth of rain in only three or four days). But if we get a break with the weather this autumn, I'll have a chance to work on things then.

Anyway, here is a view of the side garden bed with lots of daylilies blooming. It's not a true long shot, but it's a bit longer shot than I have been showing lately.

Side Garden Bed with Daylilies


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

A little story: I used to dislike Strawberry Candy (the daylily with three blooms at front right) because I had unwisely planted it next to a lavender-pink variety with which it clashed horribly. Last year I moved it down to the side bed, where the slightly apricot-pink looks absolutely gorgeous next to a tall, dark sedum. Honestly, if you are looking for a knockout colour combination, you really should try this. (I have taken many, many photos in an attempt to show off how well these plants look together, but somehow the camera can never capture it properly.)

In other news, I did finally get a fully open Peach Magnolia flower, even though I thought they'd all be half-closed this year because of the shape of the buds. So, here it is.

Fully Open Peach Magnolia


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

And finally, to give everyone a break from daylilies on this blog, here is a photo of some rudbeckia by the front porch.

Rudbeckia


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

...
Copyright © all rights reserved. All text and images in this post belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com.

This is my 400th post, and since I don't have any new daylilies to show today, I am going to do something a little different: a product review.

I received a complimentary sample of products from the Thymes Gardener Collection. Gardener is one of the classic Thymes Fragrant Living Collections, and as you might surmise from the name, it's designed to appeal to women who spend time getting their hands and fingernails dirty looking after a garden.

Deep-Cleansing Hand Scrub and Cuticle Cream from the Thymes Gardener Collection


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

For the review, I received two sample products from the collection: the Deep-Cleansing Hand Scrub, and the Cuticle Cream.

Of course, one of the first things I noticed was the detail of the packaging. Each cardboard folder had a little metallic tag that says "Grow" on it, a finishing touch that gives added polish. Of course, as gardeners many of us are concerned about the environment and would probably prefer not to add unnecessary packaging to area landfills. But the metal tags are easily removed so you can add the cardboard to your recycling box, if you have one.

The hand scrub comes in a plastic squeeze tube with a flat cap that easily stands upright next to the sink. When I tried the hand scrub it was wonderful, leaving my hands soft and smooth, even the area of my right index finger that tends to get dry and rough from pulling weeds. And here is a little tip from me -- they don't put this in the marketing material -- you can use this scrub on your feet, too. I tend to wear crocs or open-toed sandals in the garden, and my heels and toes get a little rough from the wear and tear. Using the scrub I was easily able to reverse some of the damage caused by my garden footwear.

That's where the cuticle cream came in. It's called cuticle cream, but again you can use it on other areas that need extra pampering. It's wonderful stuff. It has a different scent than the scrub. The scrub has a light, fresh "green" scent that instantly transports you to springtime in the garden. The cuticle cream on the other hand has a soft herbal scent that is more healing than medicinal in its overtones.

There are more products available in the Thymes Gardener Collection, including some lovely gift packages for your gardening friends (or treat yourself!). Thymes products are available in specialty stores throughout North America (Chapters sells some here in Canada), but you can get anything you want online at the Thymes web site.
...
Copyright © all rights reserved. All text and images in this post belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com.

This is my 400th post, and since I don't have any new daylilies to show today, I am going to do something a little different: a product review.

I received a complimentary sample of products from the Thymes Gardener Collection. Gardener is one of the classic Thymes Fragrant Living Collections, and as you might surmise from the name, it's designed to appeal to women who spend time getting their hands and fingernails dirty looking after a garden.

Deep-Cleansing Hand Scrub and Cuticle Cream from the Thymes Gardener Collection


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

For the review, I received two sample products from the collection: the Deep-Cleansing Hand Scrub, and the Cuticle Cream.

Of course, one of the first things I noticed was the detail of the packaging. Each cardboard folder had a little metallic tag that says "Grow" on it, a finishing touch that gives added polish. Of course, as gardeners many of us are concerned about the environment and would probably prefer not to add unnecessary packaging to area landfills. But the metal tags are easily removed so you can add the cardboard to your recycling box, if you have one.

The hand scrub comes in a plastic squeeze tube with a flat cap that easily stands upright next to the sink. When I tried the hand scrub it was wonderful, leaving my hands soft and smooth, even the area of my right index finger that tends to get dry and rough from pulling weeds. And here is a little tip from me -- they don't put this in the marketing material -- you can use this scrub on your feet, too. I tend to wear crocs or open-toed sandals in the garden, and my heels and toes get a little rough from the wear and tear. Using the scrub I was easily able to reverse some of the damage caused by my garden footwear.

That's where the cuticle cream came in. It's called cuticle cream, but again you can use it on other areas that need extra pampering. It's wonderful stuff. It has a different scent than the scrub. The scrub has a light, fresh "green" scent that instantly transports you to springtime in the garden. The cuticle cream on the other hand has a soft herbal scent that is more healing than medicinal in its overtones.

There are more products available in the Thymes Gardener Collection, including some lovely gift packages for your gardening friends (or treat yourself!). Thymes products are available in specialty stores throughout North America (Chapters sells some here in Canada), but you can get anything you want online at the Thymes web site.
...
Copyright © all rights reserved. All text and images in this post belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com.

Royal Mountie


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Back when I first got this daylily, bright red blooms were not to be found in my garden. My how things have changed, with Highland Lord, Executive Decision, and Justin Miller.

Light Years Away


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Light Years Away has a thick "piecrust" picotee edge. When this flower looks good, it is gorgeous (but when it doesn't, it's really awful). Today's example is definitely more good than awful.

El Desperado


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

I moved El Desperado last year when I rearranged the front garden to make room for several new daylilies I bought at Floral and Hardy Gardens. The blooms seem smaller this year than I remember, but then again a lot of the daylilies are like that. It could be because we've had so much rain and quite a bit less sun than usual.

By the way, here is a second look at Peach Magnolia.

Peach Magnolia


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

I think all of its blooms are going to be this way this year. (It's one of the plants slated for dividing in the autumn.) These double blossoms look more like peonies or roses than the typical daylily.

...
Copyright © all rights reserved. All text and images in this post belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com.

Royal Mountie


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Back when I first got this daylily, bright red blooms were not to be found in my garden. My how things have changed, with Highland Lord, Executive Decision, and Justin Miller.

Light Years Away


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Light Years Away has a thick "piecrust" picotee edge. When this flower looks good, it is gorgeous (but when it doesn't, it's really awful). Today's example is definitely more good than awful.

El Desperado


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

I moved El Desperado last year when I rearranged the front garden to make room for several new daylilies I bought at Floral and Hardy Gardens. The blooms seem smaller this year than I remember, but then again a lot of the daylilies are like that. It could be because we've had so much rain and quite a bit less sun than usual.

By the way, here is a second look at Peach Magnolia.

Peach Magnolia


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

I think all of its blooms are going to be this way this year. (It's one of the plants slated for dividing in the autumn.) These double blossoms look more like peonies or roses than the typical daylily.

...
Copyright © all rights reserved. All text and images in this post belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com.

Today's first-time bloomers:

Grand Masterpiece


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

David Kirchoff


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Check out last year's versions of Grand Masterpiece and David Kirchoff. David Kirchoff is right on schedule, blooming on this same day, July 24, last year.
...
Copyright © all rights reserved. All text and images in this post belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com.

Today's first-time bloomers:

Grand Masterpiece


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

David Kirchoff


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Check out last year's versions of Grand Masterpiece and David Kirchoff. David Kirchoff is right on schedule, blooming on this same day, July 24, last year.
...
Copyright © all rights reserved. All text and images in this post belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com.

One first bloom today:

Sweet Hot Chocolate


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Yesterday's post was titled "The Height of the Season". This is easily demonstrated by listing all the daylilies that are also blooming in the garden today (the ones in italic appear in the mosaic below):

• Always Afternoon
  
• Barbara Mitchell
  
• Bela Lugosi
  
• Bonanza
  
• Cassadiana
  
• Chicago Atlas
  
• Cimmaron Knight
  
• Country Melody
  
• Cricket Dance
  
• Dad's Best White
  
• Daveo Holman
  
• Destined to See
  
• Elegant Candy
  
• Executive Decision
  
• Frans Hals
  
• Grecian Gown
  
• Highland Lord
  
• Justin Miller
  
• Lavender Rainbow
  
• Little Business
  
• Luxury Lace
  
• Mini Might
  
• Moonlit Masquerade
  
• Moristar Mix
  
• Night Beacon
  
• Nile Crane
  
• Pandora's Box
  
• Persian Ruby
  
• Purple d'Oro
  
• Razzmatazz
  
• Russian Rhapsody
  
• Sabine Baur
  
• Siloam Doodlebug
  
• Siloam Plum Tree
  
• Snowy Eyes
  
• Strawberry Candy
  
• Summer Wine
  
• Unnamed Seedling
  
• Wayside King Royale
  
• Woodside Rhapsody
  

At this point in the year I usually find a way to manufacture a collage of my daylily photos. Here is one created with Flickr photos:


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

1. Bonanza, 2. Lavender Rainbow, 3. Siloam Merle Kent, 4. Frans Hals, 5. Razzmatazz, 6. Pandora's Box, 7. Justin Miller, 8. Elegant Candy, 9. Always Afternoon, 10. Wayside King Royale, 11. Mini Might, 12. Chicago Atlas, 13. Dad's Best White, 14. Barbara Mitchell, 15. Russian Rhapsody, 16. Nile Crane

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

...
Copyright © all rights reserved. All text and images in this post belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com.

One first bloom today:

Sweet Hot Chocolate


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Yesterday's post was titled "The Height of the Season". This is easily demonstrated by listing all the daylilies that are also blooming in the garden today (the ones in italic appear in the mosaic below):

• Always Afternoon
  
• Barbara Mitchell
  
• Bela Lugosi
  
• Bonanza
  
• Cassadiana
  
• Chicago Atlas
  
• Cimmaron Knight
  
• Country Melody
  
• Cricket Dance
  
• Dad's Best White
  
• Daveo Holman
  
• Destined to See
  
• Elegant Candy
  
• Executive Decision
  
• Frans Hals
  
• Grecian Gown
  
• Highland Lord
  
• Justin Miller
  
• Lavender Rainbow
  
• Little Business
  
• Luxury Lace
  
• Mini Might
  
• Moonlit Masquerade
  
• Moristar Mix
  
• Night Beacon
  
• Nile Crane
  
• Pandora's Box
  
• Persian Ruby
  
• Purple d'Oro
  
• Razzmatazz
  
• Russian Rhapsody
  
• Sabine Baur
  
• Siloam Doodlebug
  
• Siloam Plum Tree
  
• Snowy Eyes
  
• Strawberry Candy
  
• Summer Wine
  
• Unnamed Seedling
  
• Wayside King Royale
  
• Woodside Rhapsody
  

At this point in the year I usually find a way to manufacture a collage of my daylily photos. Here is one created with Flickr photos:


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

1. Bonanza, 2. Lavender Rainbow, 3. Siloam Merle Kent, 4. Frans Hals, 5. Razzmatazz, 6. Pandora's Box, 7. Justin Miller, 8. Elegant Candy, 9. Always Afternoon, 10. Wayside King Royale, 11. Mini Might, 12. Chicago Atlas, 13. Dad's Best White, 14. Barbara Mitchell, 15. Russian Rhapsody, 16. Nile Crane

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

...
Copyright © all rights reserved. All text and images in this post belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com.

We've had rain all night and all morning, but it's a banner day for daylilies blooming in my garden. It's a day for maximum photos and minimum text.

Summer Wine


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Black-Eyed Susan


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Purple d'Oro


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Night Beacon


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Frans Hals



There are a couple of new blooms that I am seeing for the first time in my garden. Last year Someplace Special didn't bloom at all (I may have bought it when it was past its bloom time), and Trahlyta bloomed while it was still in the pot from the nursery. This is how they both look after being planted and spending a winter in my garden -- unfortunately, the rain has affected them quite a bit.

Someplace Special


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Trahlyta


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

And here is today's special treat (for me anyway). I call them The Offspring. These two blooms showed up on one of my seedlings I planted in a neglected corner of the garden.

The Offspring (Seedlings from My "Bumblebee" Experiments)


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

...
Copyright © all rights reserved. All text and images in this post belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com.

We've had rain all night and all morning, but it's a banner day for daylilies blooming in my garden. It's a day for maximum photos and minimum text.

Summer Wine


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Black-Eyed Susan


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Purple d'Oro


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Night Beacon


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Frans Hals



There are a couple of new blooms that I am seeing for the first time in my garden. Last year Someplace Special didn't bloom at all (I may have bought it when it was past its bloom time), and Trahlyta bloomed while it was still in the pot from the nursery. This is how they both look after being planted and spending a winter in my garden -- unfortunately, the rain has affected them quite a bit.

Someplace Special


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Trahlyta


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

And here is today's special treat (for me anyway). I call them The Offspring. These two blooms showed up on one of my seedlings I planted in a neglected corner of the garden.

The Offspring (Seedlings from My "Bumblebee" Experiments)


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

...
Copyright © all rights reserved. All text and images in this post belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com.

With all the rain we've had this year, garden maintenance has become a real chore, and I've been strenuously avoiding it. I just hope I have the energy to fix things next year. I also hope we get a bit of a break on the rain next year. (I know rain is good -- it replenishes the water supplies and all that -- but it sure is easier to do garden maintenance in a dry year.)

There've been a few new blooms today. Spider Miracle (one of the few spider forms in my garden) feels like a genuine miracle because it is the first daylily in my garden that has come back from a non-blooming state and given me blooms.

Spider Miracle


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Woodside Rhapsody caused me a moment of angst as I flipped through my garden albums examining tags. I just couldn't remember which one it was. Part of the problem is that I was expecting this one to be a darker, more purple daylily. Today's version is much more of a red-purple.

Woodside Rhapsody


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

The final new bloom is one of the Sabine Baur/Alaqua sisters. I call them sisters. They aren't supposed to be. Alaqua is supposed to be petite, neat, and pretty. Sabine Baur is blousy, with a more relaxed habit. Unfortunately, my Alaqua turned out to be more relaxed than it should have, so it looks exactly like Sabine Baur. I decided to plant them together and call them sisters. This bloom actually does come from the Sabine Baur plant though.

Sabine Baur


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

BONUS PHOTO

There is a final photo I want to show you. Executive Decision bloomed with a polytepalous flower today and it deserves to be shown. So here it is.

'Executive Decision' Polytepalous Flower


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Still not perfect, as perfection goes, but well worth looking at.
...
Copyright © all rights reserved. All text and images in this post belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com.

With all the rain we've had this year, garden maintenance has become a real chore, and I've been strenuously avoiding it. I just hope I have the energy to fix things next year. I also hope we get a bit of a break on the rain next year. (I know rain is good -- it replenishes the water supplies and all that -- but it sure is easier to do garden maintenance in a dry year.)

There've been a few new blooms today. Spider Miracle (one of the few spider forms in my garden) feels like a genuine miracle because it is the first daylily in my garden that has come back from a non-blooming state and given me blooms.

Spider Miracle


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Woodside Rhapsody caused me a moment of angst as I flipped through my garden albums examining tags. I just couldn't remember which one it was. Part of the problem is that I was expecting this one to be a darker, more purple daylily. Today's version is much more of a red-purple.

Woodside Rhapsody


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

The final new bloom is one of the Sabine Baur/Alaqua sisters. I call them sisters. They aren't supposed to be. Alaqua is supposed to be petite, neat, and pretty. Sabine Baur is blousy, with a more relaxed habit. Unfortunately, my Alaqua turned out to be more relaxed than it should have, so it looks exactly like Sabine Baur. I decided to plant them together and call them sisters. This bloom actually does come from the Sabine Baur plant though.

Sabine Baur


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

BONUS PHOTO

There is a final photo I want to show you. Executive Decision bloomed with a polytepalous flower today and it deserves to be shown. So here it is.

'Executive Decision' Polytepalous Flower


Philosophical Karen © all rights reserved

Still not perfect, as perfection goes, but well worth looking at.
...
Copyright © all rights reserved. All text and images in this post belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com.