What fun you are going to have Mary! Many of us have no more space, yet a list a mile long of daylilies that we want!
Might I suggest not just spending your money by a description or a picture? Made lots of mistakes that way when I was first collecting! Now have about 1000. Lost count when I lost tags and moved things around.
I'll tell you a short story.
When I first got interested in daylilies, and plants, and gardens, I read the books that stated something like 'buy 3 of the same plant'. Well, I did! What a waste of money. Daylilies when purchased as a double fan or mini clump usually multiply by doubling every year. But...
I did have a daylily to trade the following year, and the year after!
You might want to think about that as well. If you get a bonus plant, you may want to divide it that first year and in 2 yrs will have 2 more plants to trade! BTW, there is a trade mart that will take place via the mother robin starting this next week! I think members trade here as well.
A couple of thoughts:
ONLY BUY something that is grown and does well in YOUR area (not mentioned in your profile). I have found that daylilies from the south often do not do well here, north of Boston. Like the ruffled ones might not open, the plant might grow but not produce many flowers, or the plant might not multiply well.
As well, for me, southern gorgeous big fat foliage dies out completely as northern foliage takes its place. That is stressful for the plant.
ONLY BUY plants that you have seen in someone's garden or that you have seen pictures of from many sources. Everyone only shows that perfect bloom! And that might not be indicative of the bloom in your area.
BUY FROM THE HYBRIDIZER when you can. They often have great stock of their older ones, and often send another of their intros as a gift!
MAKE SURE that you look at the size of the bloom. A huge thing might look good for just one bloom at a time, but smaller blooms make a pretty bouquet. Oh, and plant height is not always the same in different regions or different plant culture.
When you get a list of a few, come back here and we can comment on them.
BUY FROM your local club, and actually see the plant that you are getting. Some great buys usually in spring and fall at their plant sales. Such as $5 for a plant that might cost $20 if ordered.
BB, Boston
distinctivegardendesigns.com
