Vermont is getting pummeled with rain, thunder showers, lightening and rolling thunder which if you have never heard of rolling thunder sounds to me like a hundred Harley Davidson's exiting down the mountain road in front of my house in a line two by two. The sound keeps rolling around the mountain personified by an echo which trails behind.

I was up early this morning in between these rain cells, and took some pictures. Most of the lilies were soaking wet, but the sunshine eventually came out, and began to dry them off, before the next cell came through.




BOUQUET OF 'KEEP ON LOOKING'




SOUTHERN DAZZLE




RINGS OF WONDER




KING'S GOLDEN CROWN - FFO




BLUE BEAT - FFO




ANN HATHAWAY'S GARDEN - FFO




CURTIS MONTGOMERY




ARCTIC LACE - FF0 - This lily is one of my garden favs. For those of you looking for a true white, here it is. It's absolutely a stunning white bloom.




A sopping wet, SUSAN ELINOR

Alex, I like them all. Especially Keep on Looking and Ann Hathaway's Garden.

Caitlin, thanks for your nice comment about Touch of Orchid. It took 3 years for that one to really look nice. It is a Dottie Warrell flower. The color is unusual in that it almost seems to glow.

caitlinsgarden said:

I have been considering Strikingly Dramatic. Does it grow well in zone 4B?

CaitlinsG, the scape is only around 8" tall and this is the first time it has bloomed since planting in 2011. I don't think it is a happy plant in my Z4 garden, it survives but doesn't thrive. Sure is pretty though and now that it bloomed it has earned a spot to see if it can improve next year.

Beautiful blooms everyone! Great description of the rolling thunder.

Stunning ALL of them!

Amy - Love that yellow and burgandy Faulkner seedling!

Amy, Lisa, Claudia, et al, thanks for your kind words. Today, was a wet one, as tomorrow is also, supposed to be. I also have a couple of sdlgs. to post but they were so wet I think I'll wait to they both flower again, and not looked so rain soaked.

Here is a nice clump of Nicole's 'Carla Ruth' which will look completely different in a few weeks.

Frillylily said:

@blue23rose I honestly do not think that is Beautiful Edgings. BE is a pretty affordable dl I would try getting another from a different source and planting it close by for comparison. I am just certain that is not the correct plant.

Thanks, Frilly. I have wondered that in the past because it just never had a nice pink edge to it. I moved it once, but had not made much difference and am thinking of getting rid of it. Getting rid of some that I have found I just don't like and have given away a couple of daylilies this year to make room for my seedlings that I hope will have some good ones.

Love Prickled Petals and Keep On Looking!

Alex, of all of the flowers by Nicole that you have, which do you think is the hardiest in your garden??

Cindy:

I didn't realize how many of Nicole's intros I owned till I joined ATP several yrs. ago, and started posting pictures of my summer blooms. I love Nicole's intros, especially her earlier intros when she first started hybridizing around 2008. Maybe because she had something to prove in a world dominated by male hybridizers, or just because she demanded perfection in her plants, or because she could produce all those double and triple edged frilly wonders, I was intrigued by her work. Here are a few of Nicole's daylilies that I really love in my garden: 'Red Velvet Elvis', 'Susan Elinor', 'Jump Up and Kiss Me', 'Dust and Gravity'. Now, you asked, Cindy, which are the heartiest in my zone 4b garden.? First, never buy a SF of Nicole's plants if you live in a cooler zone. It will take yrs for it to increase and mature. Personally, Cindy, I have never lost a Nicole plant. They thrive here in VT. Now, you may be wondering about those gorgeous edges in Nicole plants. Last summer, we had a much warmer summer than this year. Edges were extremely colorful and distinct. This summer, coming out of a horrible winter, has the entire garden acting strangely. Some plants have fewer bud counts, other blooms have strange color mixes, and still other plants that have never bloomed before are thriving and blooming this summer. To try and answer your question, about my heartiest Nicole's blooms..... All these have increased to well over 6 fans in several years.

Red, Hot, and Boom
Nicole's Elephant Ears
Carla Ruth
Count Your Assets
Force to Be Reconded With
Glamoureyes

Other Nicole plants that have increased from 3 to 5 fans are

Follow Your Fancy (didn't bloom last summer, but produced 2 more fans this year - now 5 fans, and has a ton of buds ready to bloom any day)

Dust and Gravity - I love this plant. Gift plant from Nicole that I probably would never has purchased. Did not bloom last summer. Sent up 3 new fans this year, however, and will bloom shortly. Loaded with buds.

Susan Elinor- Another fav of mine. Color and substance are amazing. Blooms every yr., but slow to increase because of it's location in the garden. Need to relocate it.

'Dovelicious' - purchased as a SF several yrs ago, and this yr increased to a DF, and will finally bloom.

If I were still buying Nicole plants, and from time to time I do, I would look for the older plants 2011 and before. Only buy DF or TF in our cooler zone. Prices should be very 'reasonable' on the LA for these 'older' plants. And believe me some of her earlier plants are really gorgeous. Fertilize, fertilize, fertilize, with alfalfa and mulch for the winter. Plant in a sunny spot in your garden to enhance edge quality and color. You should be able to grow just about any of her unique creations, Cindy.

Thanks so much Alex, I am really hoping to try some of hers!!!

I haven't been taking very many photos other than my seedlings. Here are a few new varieties in my garden.
Dragon Fang


Susan's Choice


Big Bodacious Blonde/ Bloomed in 2012, no Blooms 2013/ much nicer now in 2014


Sarah Hawes


Asheville Bele Chere


Blue Royale


Blackberry Dragon

Oh that Blackberry Dragon is pretty! Arctic Lace is really nice, too. I've been thinking about more near whites and need to check the want list over the winter to see about adding more to the garden.
Pouring rain today, a chance to catch up on sorting images...a few from the past couple of days.

Ruth Parish, first time this one has bloomed after several years here. Thought it had died over the winter and was surprised to see this lovely bloom.


Screen Pattern, whats to say, awesome pattern X 2! Image taken this morning just before the storms hit.


Secrets and Lies, an unusual watermark, has never been the registered 36" closer to 26" for me.


Shadow Cabinet, tall with big bloom and beautiful applique pattern.


Swallows in Flight, another tall one this time in a clear pink .

Judy Davisson's Make It Snappy was blooming today it just stopped me in my tracks it is a beauty and the size 9" just outstanding. Sorry no pictures my DH has health issues and I don't have time to take pictures this year. I think someone put some photos on ATP.

Great shot of Screen Pattern! Makes me want to run out and buy one.

Thank you Susan, with Screen Pattern it's easy to get good shots. The rain was just starting and I was running around trying to get as many images as I could, Screen Pattern was on the corner of the last bed. Ran up the the hill and just made it in the house before the skies opened up. With all the rain we received the daylilies should be spectacular the next few days!

Paul, Dragon Fang and Blackberry Dragon are my favorites.

Do you have a dragon themed garden???

stilldew said:Great shot of Screen Pattern! Makes me want to run out and buy one.

Susan! Char, I really like your 'Screen Pattern'. Lovely color and patterned eye.