Betty, great job, great article. I didn't realize your climate was that harsh. No rain all summer
with hot temps! You get my vote for the Master Gardener title, and the flowers look fantastic.

Appreciate the care you take in showing photographs of same plant at different times of the day. Makes a significant difference for me when deciding if I really like one or not.

Thanks Shirlee and Debra. That was something I also noticed in the Floyd Cove Fall 2012 Introductions catalog I received back in August. In several instances Guy Pierce noted when in the year the picture was taken, at what time of day, and in what conditions. I was impressed, and I hope he continues to do that.

Good job Betty.

Betty what an informative article. I never thought about if a photo was in shade or sun. It is amazing the difference I see in color in your above photos.
I will forever think of color in a different way when looking through catalogs. Thank you so much.

That is also the reason why it is next to impossible to identify some unknown daylilies. The same daylily can look very different even in different soils.

I agree that it is nice that the pictures state what conditions it was taken in. What a helpful tool to use when deciding.

Thanks, Betty, for all the pictures. Very nicely done!

lovemyhouse said:
Appreciate the care you take in showing photographs of same plant at different times of the day. Makes a significant difference for me when deciding if I really like one or not.

This is also my feeling Betty. Thank you for this great article. Since you have so much sun & hot conditions (like I have) I think when I make up a list I will look for your photos in the db.

Good article Betty. Great to know. I often take mine in the shade or under cloud cover. I have great difficulty getting a reasonable photo in full sun. Maybe I should get a proper camera instead of this small triangular thingy.

great contribution, Betty.
I have devised an expensive.... LOL.... method for dealing with the pics in the bright sun. On my iris I have pretty much abandoned the bright sun or even moderate sun for pics. I prefer to shoot on cloudy days but the bloom doesn't always open on a cloudy day. When a bloom is just right on a sunny day I use a diffuser that I have fashioned from an old picture frame (other things would work) with a piece of a Walmart bag stapled across it. It blocks the garish shadows and bright spots very nicely and yet lets plenty of light thru for a good exposure. About a 11x14 size frame is good and get the slimmest one you can find so it is easy to hold with one hand while you shoot with the other. You can use a tripod too if you're not like me, too busy or too lazy. LOL. These diffusers can be purchased from photo supply sites as well, but the homemade one works just fine.

Diggit, thank you so much for that idea, and how to make it.
It would be great entered here at ATP in the Ideas so everyone can learn how to do it.

@diggit do you have a picture of your homemade diffuser?

Never expected to need one, Gleni. But I can do that and will post here hopefully tomorrow if I don't forget or get commandeered by someone. thanks

Marvin, you should list your diffuser idea in the ideas forum. I think it is a great idea worthy of a special listing and you will get acorns!!

I agree, then we could save the Article/Idea and easily find it. Also many others would see it and use the idea.

HI, LYNN!!!!!!
{{waving at you}}}

Hi Debra. Waving back at you, and sending a

Gleni said:@diggit do you have a picture of your homemade diffuser?

This is of course obviously the most rudimentary of devices and serves a basic purpose that need not be elaborate in nature or impressive in looks. Just functional. In this case the plastic is just held on with cellophane tape. You can use a stapler to do the same thing. The lighter weight frame the better (probably a buck or two at the dollar store). 11 x 14 inch has been a pretty good size for my use. Make two or three while you are at it. I am always misplacing one. As I said before, photographers use the commercial types constantly and many added features are available such as colors, stands, and densities.
I use the lighter translucency such as a Walmart bag. You could use a colored bag for a certain effect. The light level you achieve with this is something akin to inside a greenhouse for example. But it definitely takes out the glaring highlights and hotspots you get in the bright sun and lessens the harsh shadows that accompany that.
If you want both hands free for your camera, you can do as I do. Employ one of the grandkids or someone you are comfortable with to have patience with it. A better choice might be to affix the frame to a stand (such as an old music stand) or fashion a stiff heavy gauge wire to it that is capable of being pushed into the dirt at the proper angle to provide the coverage. I have found that the filter will usually find it's best location about two feet above the blossom and will change the light levels as you elevate or lower it. The other option would be to use a tripod for you camera with a remote shutter button . Then you would have a hand free to quickly maneuver the diffuser filter exactly where you want it. If I have forgotten something, let me know. thanks

Oh wow, Marvin that is marvelous. We should call you Marvelous Marvin. What a great idea. The photos are most helpful in understanding what you did.
I also love all the added ideas for getting the job done.
1. Camera w/tripod and remote trigger
2. Metal brace/post for sticking in the ground.
3. Different colors of plastic

Thank you so much for this great tool.