Tag Archives: First Knight day lily

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day: July 15, 2014

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Cool temps and plenty of rain.  That’s the kind of summer we have been having so far as we enter the middle of July.   That means the gardens are green and full of blooms.  Here is what is blooming today on Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day: July, 2014.

Day lilies, white clematis, Jean Davis lavender greeting everyone at the entrance to the Secret Garden.

Day lilies, white clematis, Jean Davis lavender greeting everyone at the entrance to the Secret Garden.

Looking east in the Secret Garden. Great Expectations is blooming.

Looking east in the Secret Garden. Great Expectations is blooming.

White Dome hydrangea, Rosie Returns day lily, Cool Cat catmint, various cone flowers.

White Dome hydrangea, Rosie Returns day lily, Cool Cat catmint, various cone flowers.

Rosie Returns day lily on the left, First Knight is the yellow lily across the path, crocosmia near the garden lady.

Rosie Returns day lily on the left, First Knight is the yellow lily across the path, crocosmia near the garden lady.

A visitor in the Secret Garden. She is welcome anytime.

A visitor in the Secret Garden. She is welcome anytime.

First Knight

First Knight

The hosta bed in the front garden under the magnolia tree.

The hosta bed in the front garden under the magnolia tree.

My favorite un-named day lily.

My favorite un-named day lily.

Plum Pudding catching an extra petal (and a katydid nymph)

Plum Pudding catching an extra petal (and a katydid nymph)

Rosie Returns also wants to go the extra mile and add an extra petal and sepal.

Rosie Returns also wants to go the extra mile and add an extra petal and sepal.

The hydrangeas are doing far better than I expected since the park removed a maple tree that gave them so much shade.

The hydrangeas are doing far better than I expected since the park removed a maple tree that gave them so much shade.

In the Lower Garden, the Zagreb Coreopsis is blooming. I cut back the geranium but it still has some lovely blue flowers on it. That's Strawberry Candy under the Rose of Sharon.

In the Lower Garden, the Zagreb Coreopsis is blooming. I cut back the geranium but it still has some lovely blue flowers on it. That’s Strawberry Candy under the Rose of Sharon.

Prince of Midnight day lily.

Prince of Midnight day lily.

Crocosmia in the Secret Garden

Crocosmia in the Secret Garden

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day, July 15, 2013

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Crocosmia adds such a wonderful pizazz to the day lily bed. I love the way it drapes over the Garden Lady.

Crocosmia adds such a wonderful pizazz to the day lily bed. I love the way it drapes over the Garden Lady.

The temps rose yesterday to 90 degrees, but the heat isn’t unexpected.  And, we are not experiencing a drought like last year.  July blooms are on schedule and it seems like the whole garden is making up for last year.  The cherry tree is still full of gorgeous red tart cherries.  In fact, I picked 4 cups last night and made a cherry crisp.  Last year I didn’t even bother with picking.  The early warmth and subsequent freeze killed last years crop.

Blooming in the garden right now:

First Knight day lily, one of my favorites.

First Knight day lily, one of my favorites.

Zagreb Coreopsis and rose campion that a neighbor gave me years ago.

Zagreb Coreopsis and rose campion that a neighbor gave me years ago.

A few white clematis keep blooming. I didn't get much of a show this year, but will take whatever I can get from this lovely vine.

A few white clematis keep blooming. I didn’t get much of a show this year, but will take whatever I can get from this lovely vine.

The Garden Lady is framed in day lilies and crocosmia. The is the view from the entrance of the Secret Garden.

The Garden Lady is framed in day lilies and crocosmia. The is the view from the entrance of the Secret Garden.

Annabelle Hydrangea putting on a great show. Last year Annabelle did not do much because of the heat.

Annabelle Hydrangea putting on a great show. Last year Annabelle did not do much because of the heat.

White Dome hydrangeas and Zagreb coreopsis in the lower garden.

White Dome hydrangeas and Zagreb coreopsis in the lower garden.

This is about as blue as this variegated lace cape hydrangea gets. Each year I ammend the soil with acid and it never seems to be enough.

This is about as blue as this variegated lace cape hydrangea gets. Each year I ammend the soil with acid and it never seems to be enough.

The Francis Williams hostas in the front garden are starting to bud. Behind them are the White Dome hydrangeas that are in full lacy bloom.

The Francis Williams hostas in the front garden are starting to bud. Behind them are the White Dome hydrangeas that are in full lacy bloom.

I removed a lot of the Strawberry Candy day lilies in the front when I took out the Pana Rhododendrons. This is one of the only clumps left.

I removed a lot of the Strawberry Candy day lilies in the front when I took out the Pana Rhododendrons. This is one of the only clumps left.

Newly planted just a month ago, the Walker's Low catmint is doing very well in the entrance garden.

Newly planted just a month ago, the Walker’s Low catmint is doing very well in the entrance garden.

Red Knockout rose in the rose medallion seems to not only avoid disease, but Japanese beetles. Yes, they've arrived for their yearly feast.

Red Knockout rose in the rose medallion seems to not only avoid disease, but Japanese beetles. Yes, they’ve arrived for their yearly feast.

Limelight Hydrangea is just starting to bloom.

Limelight Hydrangea is just starting to bloom.

Nameless dark lily doesn't seem to be quite so dark this year.

Nameless dark lily doesn’t seem to be quite so dark this year.

Looking west from the eastern part of the Secret Garden. The Japanese Maple and various hostas seem happy.

Looking west from the eastern part of the Secret Garden. The Japanese Maple and various hostas seem happy.

Stitch in Time Hosta is starting to bloom.

Stitch in Time Hosta is starting to bloom.

Francee, Stained Glass, June, Great Expectations, and various heuchera.

Francee, Stained Glass, June, Great Expectations, and various heuchera.

Barbara Mitchell day lily in the Secret Garden.

Barbara Mitchell day lily in the Secret Garden.

Day lilies and crocosmia in a riot of bloom.

Day lilies and crocosmia in a riot of bloom.

My Sweet Rose day lily.

My Sweet Rose day lily.

Lavender Doll day lily, Cool Cat Nepetha, Jean Davis Lavender, purple cone flower from a friend, White Dome hydrangea.

Lavender Doll day lily, Cool Cat Nepetha, Jean Davis Lavender, purple cone flower from a friend, White Dome hydrangea.

Purple cone flower just starting to bloom.

Purple cone flower just starting to bloom.

Fragrant Angel echanacea with a friendly bumblebee.

Fragrant Angel echanacea with a friendly bumblebee.

Zagreb coreopsis and a purple coneflower that isn't sure what she is supposed to look like. But she's blooming in her own unique way.

Zagreb coreopsis and a purple coneflower that isn’t sure what she is supposed to look like. But she’s blooming in her own unique way.

Purple coneflower from a friend and Fragrant Angel echinacea.

Purple coneflower from a friend and Fragrant Angel echinacea.

Marigolds and purple petunias great me at the back door.

Marigolds and purple petunias greet me at the back door.

Happy 4th of July

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July means day lilies (hemerocallis), and today the fireworks are just beginning to explode into bloom.  These are my favorite flowers.  As much as I love hydrangeas and my hansa roses, it is the day lilies that charm me the most.  The name “hemerocallis” means “bloom for a day” and that’s pretty much what day lilies do.  And, they do not actually belong to the lily family.

The Garden Lady stands sentinel in the day lily bed.

The Garden Lady stands sentinel in the day lily bed. That is Sea Urchin blooming to the left.  Red Rum is in the background.

It was colonists who brought day lilies to the New World, but it wasn’t until the 1930’s that hybridization really began. For centuries gardeners grew what are often referred to as “ditch lilies.”  These are the common orange flowers that we see growing wild along country roads, in old homestead sites, and in sunny meadows.  But those bright orange or sometimes yellow flowers are not native to North America.  They probably came to Europeans from China and other Asian countries where various parts of the plant were valued for their medicinal qualities.  Settlers carried day lily plants on horseback and in covered wagons across the North American continent.

Blooming today in the Secret Garden are Cystal Pinot, First Night, Sea Urchin, a nameless deep plum plant, and Red Rum.

But it’s not just day lilies that are gracing the garden.  Scroll down to see other shots.

The little miniature hostas that I bought a year ago are nestled near the back door.

The little miniature hostas that I bought a year ago are nestled near the back door.

Great Expectations, Francee, Stained Glass, and June are draping over the Secret Garden path, an indication that I really must thin these.

Great Expectations, Francee, Stained Glass, and June are draping over the Secret Garden path, an indication that I really must thin these.

This sunny path shows the Jean Davis lavender and Zagreb coreopsis.

This sunny path shows the Jean Davis lavender and Zagreb coreopsis.  In the foreground is First Knight about to bloom.

The red carpet rose provides a nice pop of color in the seating area of the Secret Garden.

The red carpet rose provides a nice pop of color in the seating area of the Secret Garden. That is Red Rum in the foreground to the right and Zagreb coreopsis in the left center.

The Crazy Daisy hasn't done well for the past couple of years, but it looked like it might be returning to health this year. Until it flopped over. Ergggg.

The Crazy Daisy hasn’t done well for the past couple of years, but it looked like it might be returning to health this year. Until it flopped over. Ergggg.

This Annabelle Hydrangea seems to be very happy this summer. This is such a pleasant change. Last summer's heat and drought didn't make for happy mop heads of bloom.

This Annabelle Hydrangea seems to be very happy this summer. This is such a pleasant change. Last summer’s heat and drought didn’t make for happy mop heads of bloom.

First Knight

First Knight

Nameless plum day lily that I bought a couple years ago that the Fulton Street Market.

Nameless plum day lily that I bought a couple years ago that the Fulton Street Market.

Crystal Pinot

Crystal Pinot

Red Rum

Red Rum

First Knight and Storm of the Century

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My summer semester begins tomorrow and so my leisurely days in the garden will be a bit limited.  And, wouldn’t you know, today it has been stormy.  But I pulled a few weeds that had popped up.  And I deadheaded a few spent day lilies.  First Knight started blooming a couple days ago.  It is one of my favorites, even though it isn’t pink.

First Knight

My favorite day lily, Storm of the Century bloomed today.  I’ve included a picture here, though this first flower seems to have gotten a little bruised in its birthing process.

Several years ago a friend divided his crocosmia and gave me some of the extras.  But the little clumps of roots were, um, little.  And, I transplanted them several times before they found a permanent home.  Well, permanent in a garden is not quite possible.  Anyway, I found a couple plants at a garden center and planted those.  They bloomed a bit last year, but this year, it looks like I am going to get a nice show.  And, my friend’s crocosmia have long budded spires, too.  So, I’ll see these scarlet bird-like flowers in two places in the secret garden.  The clumps that my friend gave me are nestled in front of the dutchman’s pipe “wall.”  The plants I bought at a garden center are at the edge of the large day lily bed in the middle of the secret garden.    I thought the foliage would make a nice transition from the lilies to whatever else ends up next.  At the moment that is Tiny Nancy asiatic lilies.

Crocosmia

Crocosmia Bud

And, remember the fountain that I killed?  The one that I never covered last winter and suffered a fatal crack?  The one that is now a planter in the Secret Garden?  Well, it’s replacement arrived this past week.  It’s burble is welcoming neighborhood birds, who found it within an hour.  I think I might even like this fountain more than the other one.

New Fountain

I went on the Ottawa Hills Garden Tour yesterday.  There were some lovely gardens, and, inspired by some of the things I saw, went to Phil’s Stuff hoping to find some little treasure to place in one of the gardens.   I bought two iron stakes with ornaments on the top.  I haven’t decided where to put them yet.  Maybe I’ll do that this evening.  I also picked up some annuals to plunk into some empty spaces, including a flat of nicotiana.