Daylilies

Evan as a kid I recall enjoying the daylilies that grew along the roadsides in the northeast. I had a growing daylily bed when we lived in Colorado, and years before that I tried to grow some on our property in NC, but they were simply yummy dessert for the deer.  

I have a partially sunny bank in my garden that lost most of the plantings on it last winter. I decided to try some lilies. I looked online for local farms, but didn't see much that had much inventory. So I looked further afield. I stumbled on the website for Oakes Daylilies. I called and chatted about what type of lily might thrive in central Florida. The gal on the phone indicated that they have dormant and evergreen, or semi-evergreen varieties and anything that doesn't require a period of dormancy would grow in our area. 

I took a leap of faith and ordered some plants. I ordered three of each of the following: 

All Fired Up

Touched by Midas

Jungle Princess

I was also given 1 bonus lily. I don't know what it will be....and I'm thinking they don't either!

The lilies came in a box with some air holes. 

The plants come in fans, with anywhere from 3-5 blades. 

A few of them were bundles of two fans, perhaps one with 2 blades and one with three.

Each fan had a nice label identifying the plant. I appreciate the the labels also specified the 

average height of the plant/flower spike (?).

Before the plant's arrival I raked the mulch and oak leaves off the hillside, and dug 10 holes. 

Once the plants arrives they were planted with peat moss to amend the soil,

and were thoroughly watered. A few of the bundled fans were separated (if they were not 

entwined), giving me a few extra plants. I will replace the mulch after I know that all of 

the newly planted bundles are settled in their new homes. (sounds like a reasonable excuse, right?!)

The plants should begin to grow with 2-3 weeks. I know I can'd hold my breath that long,

but I am anxious to see the end results of my investments (time and money). 

Out With the Old

The tulip bulbs arrived while I was on the road. 

Time to get to work…

First, I dug up the tulip bed.

I had to remove the old bulbs.

Sometimes I would get the 'Mother Lode' of bulbs,

A clump with mama bulb and all of her 'babies'.

More often, I had to sift through the dirt, 

picking the bulbs out one by one.

Some were teeny-tiny.

Here are the old… and the new.

I placed the new bulbs in the bed.

5" deep and spaced 5"-6" (or more) apart.

I replaced the soil, 

still finding more old bulbs in the process.

Stay tuned for the end result….

in the spring!