Sunday, June 27, 2010
A quiet morning here on the mountain after a wet day yesterday and a climatic downpour for 20 minutes last evening. Gail and Karl the Wonder Dog left me to my arthritic self discussions this morning as I rose slowly from bed and tried to work out some tight joints and a stiff back. Gardening for older folks sometimes requires a deliberate stretching and today was one of those days. Guess that's why I recommend that people do a little stretching this time of year when they decide they absolutely "must" divide and move those 6 year old daylilies.
Despite yesterday's rain, Gail had a very good day at the nursery with customers arriving and leaving in almost perfect cadence so she could devote time with each before moving on to the next. This is how Gail wants it to be so people are not rushed and so she can catch up on what has happened since the last visit. She was so very pleased yesterday when Herb and Julie returned to see us. They lived in Burlington for years and had a beautiful tour garden around their home. They often traveled to Peacham Pond Road to match Julie's list with our flowers. Every visit was a fun time! Now they live in Rochester, NY to be with the grand kids but Gail and I are certain Vermont will always remain special to them.
I have to get to the nursery in minutes and get things organized. Alex and I are going to the Vermont History Expo in Tunbridge this morning and Gail and Worker Bee Gail T. will handle the place. I think friend Mike will arrive around 7:30 to help with rototiller problems and probably Eric from Boston will arrive by 8 to discuss birds and moose and remind me again that retirement must be as good as life in Vermont is. Morning discussions at the nursery are part of the pleasure of what Gail and I do.
Daylilies are off this year and that means that they are blooming earlier than usual. I tried to take a few pictures of some early bloomers but the rain was not helpful. Just the same, here are some examples. As this morning warms, I expect there will be another dozen in bloom today to match the 15 that were out yesterday. Here are some quick comments. Nothing will replace a visit today as besides the daylilies, Gail always has something on sale for a "too good" price.
First below is Strawberry Candy. This picture doesn't do justice to a great flower which blooms and blooms and gets better every year. It is very popular. I remember about 5 years ago some friends with a giant daylily collection sold more Strawberry Candy than any other daylily. When a plant is bright with blooms, one look and you will agree.
Despite yesterday's rain, Gail had a very good day at the nursery with customers arriving and leaving in almost perfect cadence so she could devote time with each before moving on to the next. This is how Gail wants it to be so people are not rushed and so she can catch up on what has happened since the last visit. She was so very pleased yesterday when Herb and Julie returned to see us. They lived in Burlington for years and had a beautiful tour garden around their home. They often traveled to Peacham Pond Road to match Julie's list with our flowers. Every visit was a fun time! Now they live in Rochester, NY to be with the grand kids but Gail and I are certain Vermont will always remain special to them.
I have to get to the nursery in minutes and get things organized. Alex and I are going to the Vermont History Expo in Tunbridge this morning and Gail and Worker Bee Gail T. will handle the place. I think friend Mike will arrive around 7:30 to help with rototiller problems and probably Eric from Boston will arrive by 8 to discuss birds and moose and remind me again that retirement must be as good as life in Vermont is. Morning discussions at the nursery are part of the pleasure of what Gail and I do.
Daylilies are off this year and that means that they are blooming earlier than usual. I tried to take a few pictures of some early bloomers but the rain was not helpful. Just the same, here are some examples. As this morning warms, I expect there will be another dozen in bloom today to match the 15 that were out yesterday. Here are some quick comments. Nothing will replace a visit today as besides the daylilies, Gail always has something on sale for a "too good" price.
First below is Strawberry Candy. This picture doesn't do justice to a great flower which blooms and blooms and gets better every year. It is very popular. I remember about 5 years ago some friends with a giant daylily collection sold more Strawberry Candy than any other daylily. When a plant is bright with blooms, one look and you will agree.
Spellbinder is an orange but not just another orange. It is luminescent, big and bright and it fares well by the edge of a perimeter garden visible from the house, deck, patio, street, walkway late afternoon or early evening. It is a beacon that guides and draws attention.
Lemon Lollypop is next. This is not just a yellow daylily and certainly not one to discount.Gardeners are always striving for season-long bloom and this one offers continuous bloom on 26-28" scapes. If you chance to visit, when you get out of the car look towards Marshfield village and you'll see the 3000 square foot hosta display garden I am working on. On the grass perimeter you will notice five blocks of 25-35 of the same daylily. The one block blooming now is Lemon Lollypop. Count the scapes and 6-8-10 will not be uncommon. This is a good one.
Jersey Spider is not a spider, it just carries that name. It becomes a 36" tall plant with tons of flowers. The flower scapes have an interesting pointedness to them as they reach higher and continue to bloom. This is a strong daylily and a popular one among collectors even though they often have to tell those who are not in the know that "No, it's not a real spider....in name only." Most gardeners do not care for the merit of the plant overrides all else.
Cherry Cheeks is another big flowered, good blooming plant. Sales always challenge me because I can't seem to keep it divided and growing on. At some point we should buy some more in to keep ahead of the popularity. It's not that it's such a great plant, it's just that it is a color that works very well with about anything. The scapes are strong and it commands a number of "What's that?" as visitors pass. Gail has grown it since almost the beginning of Vermont Flower Farm.
Bitsy has been blooming for three weeks now and its heritage makes it popular. It's a small flower on a tall, darker scape and it is always popular. Like Cherry Cheeks we sometimes run out. I have a few that need to be divided--haven't checked--maybe Michelle got to those on Friday. I hope!
Anne Warner is an older daylily that was the most popular three years ago when we opened on Route 2. It was a surprise when so many sold. I thought it might have been it's proximity to the front sales table but people repeated that they liked the old fashionedness and the pastel colors which work well with various blues. I'll leave it at that. We like it too!
And way up top is Wineberry Candy that started blooming on Thursday. The flowers seem a little smaller than usual but of course this spring has been unusual too. As this daylily matures the flowers are larger and the bloom time is incredible. The darker throat catches attention but the color contrast and 28" height work in many situations. Another that you won't regret.
Just heard a breakfast plate hit the table. That's a signal to get going. If you are out and about today, stop by and say hi to Gail. I should be back by 3 for afternoon travelers.
Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where 59 degrees and fog are giving way to some light over the pond. Three wet turkeys are eating breakfast in the field outside my office window. Last spring there were five in this group. Nature affects everyone.
George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
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Remember: Nice Japanese lilacs, yellow and also dwarf Ninebarks available today
