This is a shot I took at Curt's last week. This flower was my pick of the entire garden. It was a seedling, in the "selected" bed. It was a clump, but I could not see the cross tag, so I can't tell you what the cross was. I took quite a few photos of all the different flowers on it. The petals curl back on themselves so that from the side, you see the top of the petals. On this flower, the sepals did not recurve - which is not ideal -- I'd rather see them open more. If you look at the petal tips - they are recurved, indicating that this flower IS fully open.

This is a fully pleated flower. Some of us would call this the "tulip" form - but we need to come up with a different name for that form.

No, this is not the most beautiful thing. And, it is a little splotchy on top of it. BUT --- why it excites me is that this is the very edge of pushing the envelope of form. Who knows what unique and different forms this will lead to? By crossing these fully pleated flowers to the very large thin spidery forms, perhaps we will create daylilies that will have two planes or levels of petal? We do not know where in the world these strange and captivating forms will lead us.

I encourage you to look at the photo enlarged.

Here is a photo of a seedling of mine, that is doing a similar type of pleating. because the pleating is not as extreme, you may be able to understand it a bit better. It has Hanson lines on one side, and All American Chief on the other.

See how the petals curl back on themselves so far that the top of the petal is actually visible under the petal? You can stick your finger in there, as it forms a tube.

I can see that from a hybridizing point of view these flowers are exciting as they are different. A new form that should lead to very possibly different forms. And I did look at them in the enlarged windows. I do know that Kurt Hanson is a leader at pushing the envelop on these new forms. But gosh, maybe I have no vision but I can't see it. I don't want to upset anyone with my point of view but I would just as soon there not be such weirdo looking daylilies. Good thing each person can have what they want and ignore what doesn't please.

Your pictures of JERRY HYATT are certain much different than mine. I much prefer my version. By now you must realise I don't like anything that too much pushes the window to look different from what I am used to. I rarely even like spiders. And never if they are the skinny pedaled ones. Even the UFOs that I do like now are an acquired taste as I started out only liking the round form daylilies.

Yes, I can see where these exotic daylilies are an acquired taste, and who knows where they may lead in the future! I didn't care for the really sculpted ones when I first saw them, but all it takes is seeing one you DO like to change your opinion. Now I am more interested in the sculpted ones, although I'm not that fond of many of the doubles -- but once again I can see where a real beauty with very recurved petals and totally dimensional rounded form might be absolutely elegant! So just keep 'em coming, Juli!

I first started seeing these extreme sculpted things in my seedlings in 2001. So, I am used to seeing them. Still, I do not think of most of them as "beautiful."

I am a huge fan of UFs and spiders. I never liked bagels. Not into the big wide petals, round big ruffled etc.

However, I respect those that are. One thing I like so much about the Daylily Cubit... Now ATP... Is that we have been able to talk about all forms while respecting that everyone has different likes and dislikes.

I wish I was able to keep planting seed. I have not made a single cross this year.

Rita, if you ever start hybridizing, you will look at daylilies in a completely new way. It consumes you. There is no feeling I have ever had like opening your eyes on a summer morning, knowing you have new seedlings! Knowing that you will see blooms that are one of a kind, that you created. Good or bad... You jump from bed, impatiently wait for enough light to see by, and zoom to the seedling beds!

I do understand about people being excited about their seedlings. Of course you would be excited and eager to see what is new each day. But hybridizing does not interest me. Good thing too as I already have no more room here in my garden.

And the very fact that there are so many daylilies and so many forms is one of the best things about daylilies. Something for all tastes and to make everyone happy.

I just saw another picture of JERRY HYATT posted on another forum and it looked much like your two, with the much lighter shading and the spotting. I must say I haven't ever seen anything even close to that effect ever on mine. It is in a semi shady spot so shouldn't wash out but mine is not washed out but darker.

Oh I am going to be the dork and say I dont have any taste!! So I like them all!

I have a little of everything in my garden - modpodge!

I like them all too.... But when it comes down to which ones get the 100 spots I have left here, and the little money I can spend or the trades I can make... **then** I get picky...

Without actually counting, my guess would be of the roughly hundred I have now, close to 50 are Hanson, 25 are my seedlings, maybe 10 are Warrell's and the rest are Rice, Moldovan... Then a few misc.

Since Rice is very near the Ohio border, almost every daylily I have was bred within 125 miles from me.

When I started cutting back, I went by performance and what I liked to decide what to keep. I don't think it was an accident that I ended up with a garden full of mostly Ohio plants. Curt's plants sometimes take three years to show me their best - but they do great here. So do Dottie Warrell's. I have had a great time crossing their lines. Curt has a few diploids, and Dottie has a few tets. I am still considering if I want to intro them. I have a few pieces out in other people's gardens to see what they think.

daylily said:Here is a photo of a seedling of mine, that is doing a similar type of pleating. because the pleating is not as extreme, you may be able to understand it a bit better. It has Hanson lines on one side, and All American Chief on the other.

See how the petals curl back on themselves so far that the top of the petal is actually visible under the petal? You can stick your finger in there, as it forms a tube.

Your seedling is gorgeous.

Thank you! I love it's color the most. Welcome to a ATP!

daylily said:Thank you! I love it's color the most !

I love the form and the color. You must have been dancing in the street when you saw the ffoe.