ASHWOOD GARDEN 2008

We are proud to present our fourteenth catalog. We want to thank all those who have ordered from us in the past. We also hope we can serve your needs in the coming years. We are very proud of the plants that we have introduced into commerce that we feel that they stand up with the best. This year’s introduction are some of the best to date.  

 

Hours: 12 to 6 pm Tuesday through Saturday  CLOSED  SUNDAYS +MONDAYS

We will maintain these hours only during the last week in June through the end of July. All other times require a call ahead to confirm that we will be available. By the end of bloom season there is always a backlog of things that must be attended to, many of them away from the property.           

 

            For Ashwood Garden to keep up with the growing competition in daylily hybridization, we feel that we need to set out at least 10,000  to 15,000 new seedlings every year. To achieve that we must be able to take advantage of  the several morning hours during which the flowers are receptive to fertilization. We thank our customers for respecting our business hours so that we can do the needed pollination.

 

            As always, our plants are guaranteed to be true to name, state inspected, and healthy. We will also replace a plant which fails to grow after it is planted. We breed for as hardy a plant as we are able. Here in our zone 5/6 gardens we have constant freeze/thaw conditions throughout the winter. This is an especially hard test of cold hardiness. We also rarely see snow cover here lasting more than a short while. This also gives the plants a good testing. Nevertheless a rare one of our plants may not do well farther north. If a plant does not do well for you in your garden, we will replace it with a plant of equal value. 

 

            For choosing which cultivars to purchase, there is nothing like seeing those plants in bloom. We encourage visits during our business hours. Our bloom season tends to run from mid June to the end of July, with peak coming early in July. If you are interested in looking at seedlings, there will about 30,000 in place in 2008. We also can show  you a number of  very exciting future introductions.

 

            Our shipping season can start in late April, depending on the weather. We try to honor all requests as to shipping date but that is always subject to the weather also.

 

CONTACT US: (740) 767-3946 (phone and fax)

                                      norashwd@frognet.net (e-mail)

 

Our website has become increasingly popular.  The address is ashwooddaylilies.com.

 

 The drawings on the cover were done by Don Adleta, internationally known graphic artist. Don teaches at Ohio University in Athens , Ohio . He also owns and operates Adleta Galleries, Canaanville , Ohio . You can contact Don at 740-592-1492

 

ABBREVIATION CODE

BLOOM SEASON                                 FOLIAGE HABIT                       BLOOM FEATURES     

EE= EXTRA EARLY                              DOR= DORMANT                      NOC=NOCTURNAL      

E=EARLY                                             SEV=SEMI-EVERGREEN          RE=REBLOOMING      

M=MIDSEASON                                    EV=EVERGREEN                     FR=FRAGRANT           

ML=LATE MIDSEASON                                    * = TETRAPLOID                      EXT=EXTENDED BLOOM         L=LATE                         S=SINGLE FAN                                   EMO= EARLY MORNING

VL=VERY LATE                                                                                              OPENER   

Please note  All introductions are net; Bonuses are not given with them. However we do like to send gifts.

2008 INTRODUCTIONS

TETRAPLOIDS

 

All proceeds from 2008 sales of Memorial to Steve are going to feed the hungry. All checks for MEMEORIAL TO STEVE should be made out to: S. E. O. Food Bank. You can read more on the web site at www.ashwooddaylilies.com before ordering. You may also call us directly.

*MEMORIAL TO STEVE seedling T03-34 {( ELIZABETH 'S DREAM X ENCHANTED APRIL) X GREAT WHITE} 6" SEV 34" M This one may shake out to be our most significant introduction to date. The floral display that is seen from MEMORIAL TO STEVE is unique among daylilies in our experience. For several weeks in the middle of the bloom season a clump of this wonder is nothing but bloom. The blossoms simply obscure the foliage. There is also a week at the beginning of the season and another after the main rush of bloom that gives a more typical look to the plant. 

            Off season the plants are among the finest we grow. Numerous times in the last several years we have stood at a distance from the "clay soup" bed where MTS has been growing and asked visitors to point out the best looking plant in the bed. When the plants are out of bloom the answer is invariably MEMORIAL TO STEVE. When the bloom is on the answer is the same. The plants are vigorous, dark green, robust and healthy. 

            We had been braced to have to tell you that MEMORIAL TO STEVE was not as fertile as we would like to see. That tentative conclusion came from the 2006 season. The pod formation was definitely suppressed that summer. The 2007 season was a study in contrasts. Nearly every pod we attempted to set took and gave a good number of seeds. The pollen was about as good as one could hope for. We will call MTS quite fertile but with some variability.   

            The 6 inch blossoms are a grand shade of lavender pink with a definite gold edge. The heart is a deep green which transforms to yellow as it radiates from the center. One of the most valuable characteristics of the blossoms of MEMORIAL TO STEVE is the manner in which they make themselves scarce after a day of bloom. The flowers of MTS shrivel back toward a bud shape and dry as they do so. This allows the blooms for the coming day to open without interference.

            Bud counts are from 50 to 70 up to 72. The branching is long and tree-like allowing the vast majority of the buds to open and display themselves advantageously. Bud drop is virtually non existent. This was even true in '07 at the same time that virtually every plant in the second and third year seedlings beds a few yards away was either failing to bloom at all or dropping buds. MEMORIAL TO STEVE is simply a plant of exceptional strength and vigor.                                                              single  $200

 

*FIRST CRUSH (name subject to AHS approval) seedling T04-13 (MELANIE MAY X MARDI GRAS BEADS) 6" DOR 21" M EMO RE The first moment that I saw this seedling blooming in the '04 seedling patch I knew that it was to be a featured introduction. It caused me to stop in my tracks in a way that no other seedling has. The impact of the blossom was beyond anything I have bloomed myself or have seen anywhere in the north.  The flower is a generous 6 inches with great substance. The large eye and very wide edge is a gorgeous shade of deep rose pink. The wide edge is outlined with edges of both gold and silver. Both edges are not always present but the blossom is always wide open and is always commanding presence.

            FIRST CRUSH is an excellent breeder. Most of the crosses involving FIRST CRUSH have produced scapes which were quite a bit taller than FC itself. Rebloom with FIRST CRUSH is a real bonus. There are usually three full rounds of scapes. The rebloom more than makes up for a bud count which is less than we like to see at 15 to 20. The rebloom is of the standard type coming after a short rest period. There is usually a late season scape or two that will appear even when frost is threatening. The flower is an aggressive opener. Even after three years FIRST CRUSH remains the premier breeder for eyes and edges here. FIRST CRUSH is fertile both ways and has very good pollen fertility.         single $150

 

*UP AGAINST THE SUN (name subject to AHS approval) seedling T04-42 (SHERRY LANE CARR X CLARIFICATION) 6" SEV 44" EM RE This introduction combines the all the plant qualities you should expect from us with the height and commanding presence in the garden that we all desire. At forty four inches the well budded scapes provide a show that demands that you pay attention. The flower color is quite similar to that paragon, PRIMAL SCREAM, but the presence in the garden is entirely distinct. The blossoms are less spidery in form and the scape is so tall that none ignore it.

The drought of '07 caused many of the other plants here to show signs of distress in the foliage. That is to be expected when nature is as rough on the plants as it was this past summer. At the point when stress was starting to show in most of the plants the foliage of UP AGAINST THE SUN was flatly perfect. It remained excellent for the entirety of the bloom season. This introduction should be invaluable to the gardener who wants a center focus for a bed which simply screams, "Look at me." It may even prove to be invaluable the breeder of northern spidery or unusual forms who wants to improve the plant qualities in their seedlings. UP AGAINST THE SUN is fertile both ways.                           single $100   

DIPLOIDS

PIGMENT OF IMAGINATION (name subject to AHS approval) seedling 04-11 (BIG APPLE X SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE) 5" DOR 26" M This is a very unusual introduction for us. This would be a very unusual introduction for anybody. When we first saw this as a seedling our mouths dropped open and we were speechless. There were colors on the petals we had never seen anywhere in the daylily kingdom. But let's go back to the beginning. The flower begins the day as a reddish purple or perhaps purplish red might capture it better. As the morning progresses the red/purple disappears from the petal surface. What is revealed underneath is a shade that has described by consensus as turquoise. That was consistently true when this was grown as a seedling in its original location. When we brought PIGMENT OF IMAGINATION in to the line out beds and a richer soil other shades appeared in addition. Besides the turquoise we saw jade as well as gun metal gray. We suspect that an interplay of weather and  soil chemistry determines what is seen. There are times when the color is quite blue which is what the camera often picks up. All images shown here are just as they came off the camera. 

            The pattern in which the red/purple surface coloration disappears adds another interesting dimension. The color in the outside layers washes away from the center of the blossom and progresses towards the edges of the petals. This leaves the turquoise/jade/bluish/gray pigments below exposed.

            For a time during the course of the day PIGMENT OF IMAGINATION takes on the appearance of the much desired edge/no eye pattern. As the day proceeds the second pigment layer follows the pattern of the first layer until it takes on another variation of the edge/no eye look. This time the outside edge is the same unique color as what was seen on the main area of the petals a few hours earlier. 

We saw just enough evidence in the seedling beds this past summer that PIGMENT OF IMAGINATION passes along this unique ability. We saw several babies from it that went through similar transformations in the course of the day. You don't have to work real hard to realize what we are hoping may come from this fascinating plant.  

             At 15 or so bud counts are still not what we would prefer but there is no question of vigor. From just a couple of small fans lined out in the fall of '05 we now have a sufficient supply to meet the demands of introduction. The pollen is quite good on PIGMENT OF IMAGINATION. Pods are difficult but not impossible.                                                                                                         single $150    

 

PACKAGE OFFER

We are fortunate to currently (12/5/07) have a pretty good supply of our 2008 introductions. As a result we are able to offer a package deal of the four for this year. The catalog price comes to $600. 

We will offer the entire package of four intros at only $450. 

We are able to offer this only as long as the full supply lasts for each of the four introductions. When one cultivar runs out we will be unable to offer an entire package.

All proceeds from 2008 sales of MEMORIAL TO STEVE are going to feed the hungry. You can read much more about this on our web site. If you buy the package you may write a check for the portion which goes for MEMORIAL TO STEVE to the charity, S. E. O. Food Bank. That would be $150 as there is a 25% discount in the package. 

 

2007 INTRODUCTIONS

 

*BELIEF IN VEIN  seedling T02-66 (unknown x MOMENTUM)  ) 6 in. DOR 40 in. EM RE   BELIEF IN VEIN has been a favorite from the first moment of bloom. It was one of the rare seedlings that was sure to be introduced from the very first. The flower is unlike any other that we have seen anywhere. It is a bright orange with red orange eye and prominent red/orange veins on petals and a green throat. BELIEF IN VEIN is always popular with visitors, drawing rave reviews from the majority. The plant habit meets all our criteria here being a very vigorous grower and heavy bloomer. The scape carries 28 buds on the first round and almost as many on the second. Rebloom is quite reliable and extends the bloom season well into August, even September, after starting early in July. BIV is fertile both ways, producing strong healthy babies with dark green foliage as one might expect from the MOMENTUM heritage.                                                                      $150                                                                                   

 

*ASHWOOD SUMMER SUNSHINE   seedling T03-4 (SHERRY LANE CARR X CLARIFICATION) 5.75 in. DOR 34 in. EM RE  This was quite a surprise in our breeding from the incredible breeder, CLARIFICATION, but a pleasant surprise indeed. The blossom is a gorgeous shade of creamy peach pink with a slight rose eye. Topped off by a double edge of gold and the same rose as the eye, ASHWOOD SUMMER SUNSHINE is simply a beauty. The bud count is good at 20 to 25 but very reliable rebloom makes for a long season of bloom. This one is sure to gather a wide acceptance.. The breeding likely points to a broad area of the country in which this cultivar will be happy. SHERRY LANE CARR grows well over a wide area as does CLARIFICATION. ASHWOOD SUMMER SUNSHINE is fertile both ways and gives very sophisticated kids. It has been one of our most used parents here the last several years.                                                                                                                                                                             $150

 

*SUMMER EXPLOSION  seedling T04-21 - Seedling x (SUMMER BLUSH X CUSTARD CANDY) 4.5 in. DOR 36 in. E RE EMO The image on our website will demonstrate why this cultivar needed to be introduced. The image shows two year old clumps in early bloom. There are as many blooms on this plant as you can wish to see.  The amount of bloom found wirh SUMMER EXPLOSION will bring a new level of impact to your garden.  There will be very few people who have any cultivars with the ability to bloom as heavily as this one.  The scapes should make a real splash in the shows. The bud counts range from 35 to 40 on initial bloom. There is some rebloom but it is not as heavy as we would prefer. However, with the amount of initial bloom rebloom is less crucial. The number of scapes produced by a clump, often referred to as scape density, is very high. Combined with a high bud count, high scape density makes this plant a blooming machine. The lovely flowers are a diamond dusted cream yellow. The rose pink eye adds a nice final touch to a plant that is sure to please . The flowers are fertile both ways making this a good tool for the hybridizer who is seeking to increase northern bud counts and scape density. The sibs were well branched and budded as were both parents. The family is prepotent for good bud counts, branching and scape density.                                                                                                                                                                              $100

 

*RUBY GRANDEUR  seedling T01-82 (RUBY REGALIA X seedling T98-40)   5.25 in. DOR 32 in. ML The parent of RUBY GRANDEUR, RUBY REGALIA, gives babies in red that are exceptionally sun and rain resistant just as it is itself. RUBY GRANDEUR is a glowing gem-toned red with a strong green throat. . It is simply one the 2-3 best reds I have even seen, a real attention getter. With 35 buds and good branching, RUBY GRANDEUR gives a full measure of bloom for the effort.  As a bud builder, this cultivar may even show better budding when established and grown in ideal conditions. Fertile both ways but the pollen is easier. Pods are a little reluctant.                                   $100

 

*HIP TO BE SQUARE  seedling T00-3 (BILL NORRIS X ED BROWN)  5 in. DOR 28 in. EM RE       HIP TO BE SQUARE would be a great candidate for introduction even if it were not a high percentage polytepal. On initial bloom it polytepals about 60%. On rebloom HIP TO BE SQUARE may reach as high as 80-90%. Some rebloom scapes will show close to every bud as a poly. The good news for those who don't see much rebloom is that this cultivar is an aggressive rebloomer. This year there were a number of scapes right up until frost in October. The blossoms are a rich cream with yellow and pink highlights. A nicely ruffled border with a strong gold edge makes this an exceptionally beautiful bloom.  It is also a slight bitone. There will be about 16 buds on initial bloom but the plant will rarely be out of bloom due to the rebloom.   We are convinced it is one of the most advanced polys to date, certainly in the north. HIP TO BE SQUARE is quite fertile both ways.                                                         $200

 

*SUPER SEVENTY THREE  seedling T00-73 (APRIL IN PARIS   X SPLENDID TOUCH) 6 in. DOR 22 in. EM RE EMO  This introduction is a light peach with rose eye and very green throat. SUPER SEVENTY THREE is a very pretty flower on its own, but that is not the reason we are introducing it. We have been saying for almost five years that this cultivar embodies more of the characteristics we are looking for in the "perfect" daylily than any seedling or introduction we have ever grown. SUPER SEVENTY THREE opens at dawn no matter what. My sister, Margaret Dickson, has been growing this one in the Seattle area for a number of years. Nights there are sometimes in the lower 40's, with daytime temperatures not getting past the 50's. SST has always been open right at dawn. Sometimes a cultivar that opens that early will have the problem of water spotting and damage to the pollen from the due occurs. We have not seen water spotting. And the pollen sacks open about the same time as normal cultivars.  Here our problems can be different. Early morning openers can look pretty bad as the day progresses. Only a few can make it to 5:00PM. SUPER SEVENTY THREE will look perfect at dusk. An initial, well branched scape of some 20-25 buds is followed by a good rebloom scape. The throat is a very strong green which holds well in the sun. If the scape were a little bit taller I might be tempted to declare this the perfect cultivar I have been looking for all these years. As it is, the buds are kept out of the foliage and the height is adequate for the plant. I just like them a little taller. If you live in an area in which opening is a problem, you can benefit from having this in the garden  doubly so if you are breeding in such an area. SST is fertile both ways and a very good parent.                  $100                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

*RED CARPET MOMENT  seedling T02-28 (MOMENTUM X MAXFIELD PARRISH) 5.5 in. DOR 28 in. M  RE  RED CARPET MOMENT is a fine red with a very strong gold edge. The edge can be as wide as .5 in. on the first blossoms. It settles down to .25 in. after the first blooms. The first scape has 4-5 branches and 38 buds. The rebloom is not quite as well budded and branched but is reliable and a great addition to a fine cultivar. This is another one of those seedlings that was clearly to be an introduction from the first bloom. Along with its half sib, BELIEF IN VEIN, RCM is clear evidence of the fine plant habit, branching, bud count and rebloom that come out of MOMENTUM. You will find RED CARPET MOMENT to be vigorous and hardy with good fertility both ways.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        $150

 

*WIZARD IN THE SHADOWS  seedling T01-83 ( SHERRY LANE CARR X WISEST OF WIZARDS)  5.25 in. SEV 20 in. M RE     WIZARD IN THE SHADOWS is a very elegant bright lemon yellow with great ruffling and a wide pleated edge. The inspiration for the name comes from the fact that the genes of Jeff Salter's master breeder for eyes and edges, WISEST OF WIZARDS, comes out in the next generation. The babies of this excellent breeder are very sophisticated with a look all their own. When this cultivar is bred to flowers that have no eye or edge, the results are very beautiful, ruffled and fancy babies of superior color clarity and advancement. When bred with eyed/

edged cultivars, there is an innovative look in the babies that breaks new ground. The blossoms are very consistent. Once in a while you get a polytepal. However there are not nearly enough poly blossoms to register it as such.  WIZARD IN THE SHADOWS is fertile both ways. Bud count is moderate at around 15 to 20 but rebloom keeps WITS in bloom for a long time.                                                                                                                                $100

 

PLANE GEOMETRY seedling 03-13 {(LIGHTS OF  DETROIT X WHEN I DREAM ) X (LIGHTS OF   DETROIT   X WHEN I DREAM)} X SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE (6.5 in. DOR 38 in. M RE  EMO  

PLANE GEOMETRY is a glowing shade of red orange on a very flat and open blossom., a form which is new and unique. Another introduction from the unique SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE, this diploid is unlike any daylily introduced to date. Like many of the babies out of SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE, PLANE GEOMETRY shows outward facing flowers, a characteristic which is a definite advantage for viewing in the garden. PLANE GEOMETRY has a very large yellow/green throat which flares out onto the petals and the sepals and a slight hint of an darker eye. There is no pollen but it will set pods with difficulty.  PLANE GEOMETRY is quite popular with visitors. The price reflects the difficulty in use for breeding but the uniqueness and beauty of PLANE GEOMETRY should make it a sought after cultivar for the home gardener.                                                  $75  

 

UNDERNEATH THE ICE  seedling 04-8 (BIG APPLE X SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE)  7 in. DOR 32 in. M      The biig ethereal lavender blossom which shows the edge/no eye look. SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE continues to give unique looks in its babies. This very pretty, feminine and mysterious blossom presents yet another outcome from this important line. The form is a charming and little old fashioned and the flower has a unique presence that was not to be denied.                                                                                                                                              $100

 

SHARON'S DELIGHT  seedling 04-9 (TAKE MY HAND X SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE)  7 in. SEV 34 in. M RE          SHARON 'S DELIGHT is a very large reddish purple. The throat is the prominent feature, very large and a shade of yellow and green that tends toward white. This one makes the visitors here suddenly draw in their breath. SHARON ’S DELIGHT received its name after Sharon Fitzpatrick visited to take photos and interview us for an article for the Region 2 journal. Sharon fell in love with this one and gave us the nod to name it in her honor. Once again the SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE breeding has produced a unique flower. The scapes are heavily budded and produce blooms for a very long period. Rebloom comes along then as a bonus. The color holds well in the sun with a little fade towards lavender. But the afternoon blossoms are still every bit as beautiful as they were in the morning. We highly recommend this selection.                                     $100

 

EVIDENCE OF ALIENS  seedling 03-12 {(LIGHTS OF  DETROIT X WHEN I DREAM ) X (LIGHTS OF   DETROIT   X WHEN I DREAM)} X SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE)}  5.5 in.  DOR 34 in. ML RE      The name reflects the alien nature of this look. This is about the most rolled back of the introductions so far in this line, even more so than last year's introduction, KERMIT'S SCREAM. The flowers are a bright shade of red orange with no trumpet. The throat is the dominant feature being quite green and pinched. Daylily people who have not seen flowers from this line before react almost as if they were seeing aliens. The look is startling.                                Single $100 

 

ASHWOOD WRAY OF SUNSHINE  (subject to AHS approval) seedling 03-4 {(LIGHTS OF DETROIT X WHEN I DREAM ) X (LIGHTS OF DETROIT X WHEN I DREAM)} X {(LIGHTS OF DETROIT X WHEN I DREAM ) X (LIGHTS OF DETROIT X WHEN I DREAM)}  5 in. DOR 28 in. E RE EMO     A glowing  lemon yellow with no trumpet, much in the style of LIGHTS OF DETROIT. A clearer shade of yellow and also strong rebloom lead us to introduce this beauty. There were scapes in bloom when frost arrived in October this year. Like so many of the

babies of SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE, A.WRAY OF SUNSHINE is an unusual form. There were three rounds of bloom this year. This is a highly inbred cultivar which displays vigor, health and good plant habit with aggressive rebloom. I suspect there is a world of breeding potential in this one. A principle of breeding in both plants and animals is that a deeply inbred individual which is strong and healthy is likely put extreme vigor and uniqueness in its offspring. (I also breed and race homing pigeons. A good bird with such inbreeding in its pedigree is worth its weight in gold.) I will be most anxious to see what others are able to get from A. WRAY OF SUNSHINE. This cultivar is named in honor of a customer and friend from the Boston area, Marty Wray. We lost Marty last winter and in losing Marty, we lost a delightful human being. Marty, we miss you.                                                           Single $75

 

note: You may have noticed that fertility information on the diploid introductions is largely missing. The reason is that we have not seen it as wise to further cross this line from the original cross of LIGHTS OF DETROIT X WHEN I DREAM another generation. For a number of years this line of diploids has been the only line of dips here. There are a very few unrelated diploids on the place but not the quantity and variety that  I think is necessary to do the job. There is a world of breeding potential in these inbred beauties just waiting for the person who is already breeding sufficient dips to make the right matches. I do not make crosses just to make crosses. I only go through the process for a reason. I simply lack the right cultivars to find out what these plants will do.

 

  2006 INTRODUCTIONS

*RED HAT DIVA (seedling T98-37) {IMPERIAL IMPRESSION X (seedling T94-9, SCARLET ORBIT X ED MURRAY)} 6” ML 28” SEV TET   RED HAT DIVA has an astounding presence in the garden. She comes on with brilliant red blossoms just as the season is showing signs of winding down. The bloom continues well past the end of the season for most of the rest of the garden. One could not ask for better foliage. It stays a bright green well past the first frosts, looking like most plants do before bloom. (As I write this on the 16th of November the clumps of RHD look as good as any clumps here do at any point in the year.) When we had rust here RED HAT DIVA showed almost complete rust resistance. It took some looking to find a single rust pustule on this stalwart. This plant is a must for any hybridizer who is looking to put rust resistance into their plants. The large blossoms on heavily budded and branched scapes make this plant a highlight of the end of the season. A bright green throat adds much to the lovely bloom but the outstanding feature of the blossom is the very clear, bright white edge. This plant has the vigor which we would all like to see in daylilies. fertile                                                                                                     $100

 

*POLLY WOLLY DOODLE (seedling T02-71) (seedling x BILL NORRIS) 5 ½” M 31” RE TET  A solid gold self with much of the look of its marvelous parent, BILL NORRIS, except for the wonderful surprise of the fact that POLLY WOLLY DOODLE produces polytepal blossoms 40% of the time. There are so few tet polys available that PWD is going to be a valuable addition to the gene pool of anyone interested in collecting or hybridizing polys. The plants are strong and vigorous as you might expect from a child of BILL NORRIS.                                                       $75

 

KERMIT’S SCREAM (seedling 01-3) (LIGHTS OF DETROIT X WHEN I DREAM) X (LIGHTS OF DETROIT X

WHEN I DREAM) 6" EM 25" DIP This is the plant that has been drawing attention here since its first bloom in 2001. That is perfectly understandable when you take into consideration that the blossoms sports a 4.5" green throat. This one is from our no-trumpet line, a cousin to our unique introduction, SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. The name, KERMITS SCREAM, was inspired by the way the gigantic green throat calls attention to the plant from 100 ft away. The throat is outlined by the red color of the petals but the green throat is the dominant feature of the blossom. I do not think there is another cultivar in which the throat is the distinctive feature. KS is the second in a line of what will be many introductions in our no-trumpet line in both dips and tets. The lack of any trumpet in the blossom creates distinction and beauty which sets it entirely apart from all that have preceded it. I fully expect to see the no-trumpet look create a niche in daylilies which is entirely new and innovative.                                                                      $90   

                                                               

                                                            2005 INTRODUCTIONS

               

*MARDI GRAS BEADS    seedling T01-84 ( seedling x CLARIFICATION) 5” DOR 26” EM RE This was one of the first CLARIFICATION seedlings to bloom in 2001 and one of the ones that made us convinced CLARIFICATION was a very special breeder. It was the bright color that made MARDI GRAS BEADS stand out. The petals are an almost neon shade of pink with similarly brilliant eye. The edge is prominent and the same shade as the eye. We found out the edges fairly explode in the babies, with very wide double and triple edges being common. The clarity of the eye is easily passed on to the kids. The CLARIFCATION babies breed such clear colors and this is one of the best breeders of the lot. As the parent of T04-13, MARDI GRAS BEADS, has earned a place of high honor in our program.

note: The 2005 bloom season showed MARDI GRAS BEADS to be one of the premier breeders in our eyed/edged line. We had assumed that some of the extreme sophistication of the seedling T04-13 was derived from MELANIE MAY. When a similar look appeared from a cross of MGB to PEARL HARBOR   we came to realize that MARDI GRAS BEADS is the parent responsible for the advancement. The width and complexity of the edges plus the ruffling and beautiful eyes in the babies have prompted us to concentrate on using MGB extensively this winter for hybridization in the greenhouse.                                                                                     $60

 

*ASHWOOD RINGS OF SATURN  seedling T01-13 (ROSE PARFAIT X ALTERED STATE) SEV to DOR 6” EM 36” RE  The rings of  rose in descending gradations of intensity place this cultivar in a category by itself. We are pleased to be able to tell you that AROS has great plant habit to go with the beautiful bloom. Clean, dark green foliage make the plant attractive all season. Fertile both ways. With 22-25 buds and some rebloom there are many blossoms to admire and use. We have great hope that this introduction will be the first in a long line of blossoms with multiple concentric rings of color in all ranges.                                                                                                    $100

 

*ASHWOOD DARK SIDE  seedling T99-51 (RUBY REGALIA X NOSFERATU) DOR 5 ¼” M 40” A bright green throat is accented by a line of brilliant red. Other than that, this cultivar is very black.  As with any cultivar this dark there is some degradation of the blossom on intense, hot days. However, most days the blossom still looks good into the afternoon. Pollen is quite fertile but pods are difficult. The babies are very black like ADS showing a wonderful breeding potential. Bud count is 20 to 25 and is even better in the kids. We have learned that ADS will survive but not thrive in zone 4 in Wisconsin . Here the plant habit is exemplary with lean, deep green foliage. $75   

 

*CLARITY OF VISION seedling T01-95 (RASPBERRY CANDY X MOONLIT MASQUERADE) X CLARIFICATION SEV 5 ½” M 38” RE This is a very clear cream to white blossom with a lavender purple eye and edge. It has as good a plant habit as any of the best CLARIFICATION babies, in fact as good as any plants we grow. CLARITY OF VISION has the kind of instant rebloom we love combined with superior budding. It is easily fertile. With a heavy bud count and instant rebloom on well budded scapes, COV puts on a spectacular show for a very long time. The CLARIFICATION blood shows in the babies as they are even clearer, brighter and more sophisticated.             $80

*FOREVER IN LOVE  seedling T02-36 (DESPERADO LOVE X FOREVER IN TIME) SEV 6 ¼” M 40” RE

 A great big clear yellow with a delightful lavender purple eye which breaks up into a pattern on rebloom. Instant rebloom with both sets of scapes nicely budded and branched makes this one very special.  Visitors who have seen the pattern have called it a major winner. The large blossom on the tall scapes are outstanding. Fertile.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Single  $100           

 

*BELLE OF ASHWOOD  seedling T01-32 (CHANCE ENCOUNTER X WILLIAM AUSTIN NORRIS) X PEARL HARBOR 5 ½” DOR 28” EM RE  This may be our best all around plant yet. It is the clearest and smoothest of pinks with an exciting gold edge. The day does not phase BELLE OF ASHWOOD as she looks exactly the same at dusk after a 95 degree day or a rain. Heavy budding and rebloom keep the show going for several months. The babies are marvelous and show some of the best off season foliage in the garden. Fertile both ways and one of our for most important breeders the last several years.

 

note: The 2005 season has clearly demonstrated that this is going to be one of our most important breeders, period. Of the characteristics that BOA brings to the table, being able to impart instant rebloom in its kids is the one we most value. In the difficult ‘05 season perhaps 40% of the babies showed instant rebloom in the form of two scapes per fan. The scapes came on in just the way that we would wish. The second fan appears when the first is part way through the bloom cycle. BOA may (should) prove  to be very valuable in extending the bloom season in the north. In the south I would expect it will be a very long blooming cultivar. We have now bloomed babies from BOA crossed to purples, eyed/edged cultivars and, of course, pinks with gold edges. There have been very good results in each category. As I write this there are a dozen plants of BOA in the greenhouse waiting to be crossed to everything in sight. Such is the breeding ability of BELLE OF ASHWOOD.                      LIMITED               Single $90

 

 

*ASHWOOD SMOKEY JOE   seedling T01-73 ( T98-28 x TUPAC AMARU) SEV 5 ¼” M 30”  The long-awaited ASHWOOD SMOKEY JOE is available.  The most exciting discovery of the past two years is that ASJ passes the pattern along to its kids with ease. The babies are not duplicates of ASJ as so often happens with unique cultivars but are variations on the theme. The budding and branching on ASJ are excellent, in the range of 25 to 30 buds. The budding is passed along to the offspring too. The first bloom or two on ASJ tend to be a more solid, grayed purple. The rest of the blooms are more likely to show the pattern and coloration that have made this the most awaited of our cultivars. Some of the babies are even better at exhibiting the uniqueness of this line. The base color can be described as a grayed rosy-purple. A white edge outlines a dark purple to black border which varies in width. The rosy purple eye is outlined in a black border. The website image shows everything with more of a rose shading than there is in the flower. Excellent plant habit. Fertile both ways Babies are well branched and budded and quite distinctive                                                                                                                                                               $125

note: The very hot summer of 2005 taught us something new. The temperatures were consistently higher than we have seen in years. The days were rarely far from 90 degrees if not over. In those conditions the pattern of ASHWOOD SMOKEY JOE is suppressed. The good news is that several of the children were unaffected by the temperatures and gave the marvelous pattern without regard to temperature. ASJ remains an important breeder for this grand new look. 

 

2004 SPRING INTRODUCTIONS

 

*MARY’S BABY (seedling T01-71) (MARY LIGHTFINE X THUNDER AND LIGHTNING) SEV 4 1/2” M 27” TET  We feel that this one is probably the finest flower we have introduced to date. The color is a distinct step forward from the wonderful parent, MARY LIGHTFINE. It is a deep velvet purple outlined by a rich white border on the petals and on the sepals. She easily passes along the velvet to her babies too! The recent results in the seedling beds indicate that MB will be a superb parent for rich deep purples especially for stark white edges. The contrast between the shade of purple and the white edge is a delight. We have received numerous glowing reports on the wonderful rich color of the parent, MARY LIGHTFINE. This child is a full step ahead in color. The color saturation is the best I have seen on any purple introduction from anywhere, period. Add in very good rain and sun resistance and you have a superb daylily. Fertile both ways, the pollen is powerful. Bud counts in the 20 to 25 range on well branched scapes. Feedback has been excellent from customers.                                                                             $80

 

*REGAL SHIELD (seedling T01-63) (seedling x CLARIFICATION) 5 1/4” M 28” DOR TET RE The first thing you see on this beauty is the gigantic eye. The dark purple eye complements the yellow petals with their lovely peach overtones. A matching purple edge goes all the way around the petals. The deep green heart and yellow throat with excellent rebloom complete the picture. A true standout in the gardens here. Scapes have 15 to 20 buds With rebloom REGAL SHIELD  provides a long bloom season. Fertile both ways.                                                            $40 

 

*NO BLUE OXFORDS (seedling T01-47) ( a cross of two sibs of CLARIFICATION) 5 1/2” EM 37” DOR RE TET The flower was selected in clump condition in the seedling patches. It stood out due to the way that it bristled with scapes. Upon inspection we found that virtually every fan had put up two scapes. With closer observation over the last several years we have learned that the second scape emerges just as the first is beginning to bloom with overlapping bloom periods later (instant rebloom). We counted the buds on scapes arising from three random fans. The counts were 28, 33, and 33. The second scapes had 17, 19 and 17 buds respectively. The blossoms are lavender pink with a purple eye and purple edge outlined in gold. A green to yellow throat makes NO BLUE OXFORDS a very pretty flower. Fertile both ways.                 .                                                                                                 $40

 

*JOAN HOOD  (seedling T99-28) (sib x FLIGHT OF THE RAVEN) 4 1/2’’M 30’’ SEV RE TET Clear peach with a bright purple eye, green heart to orange throat, and distinct ruffled purple edge. JOAN HOOD is a an easy, reliable grower. Both sets of scapes are in the upper teens in bud count. The blossoms are always perfectly formed and look good all day. The ‘04 bloom season revealed that JH is a much better  breeder than we suspected, showing babies with very bright, large eyes, wide edges. Fertile both ways.                                                                             $35

 

*CORAL MAJORITY (seedling T99-31) (SOUTH SEAS X APACHE WAR DANCE) 4 1/2’’ L 33’’ DOR RE TET The rich coral with orange highlights has to be seen to be believed. The color simply glows in the garden. Combining the best of both parents, the color is a wonder. If that were not enough, the plants are very prolific rebloomers with well branched scapes  averaging close to 20 buds each. This garden star comes on just as the season is winding down and is a flamboyant presence in the garden just when it is most needed. Garden visitors were constantly drawn to this one from all parts of the garden. The color acts as a beacon from a distance. Fertile both ways.   $40                                                        

 

*ASHWOOD STILL NIGHT (seedling T01-28) (EARTH MUSIC X EVENING ENCHANTMENT) 5.25" E 28" SEV RE TET This is a very deep and very rich purple blossom with a dramatic, triangular bright green throat and a tiny watermark. This is the one that all the early visitors zeroed in on. Scapes are exceptionally well branched and budded. The lowest bud count we could find was 33. The highest was 45. Lower 40’s were typical. There is a little rebloom to extend the season further. Fertile both ways                                                                                                  $40

 

*QUIET WYATT (seedling T00-49) (BILL NORRIS X ED BROWN) 5” EM 28” SEV RE EMO TET Named in honor of a fine southern gentleman of Forsyth fame, Wyatt LeFever, this introduction has a peach with yellow blossom that sports a rosy blush to the outside of the petals, constituting an edge without an eye. Light rose veining on the petals

adds distinction. The beautiful rose edge is further accented by dramatic piecrust pleating. The green heart blending to a bright yellow throat enhances the bloom. QUIET WYATT is a fine, vigorous plant with well-budded scapes which display 20 to 25 buds followed by reliable rebloom, keeping the plant in bloom a very long time. A  true EMO, QUIET WYATT is even more special. Fertile both ways but it is not easily pod fertile                         $40

note: Wyatt reported to me that his namesake daylily was the longest blooming cultivar in his greenhouse this fall, reblooming repeatedly.  We now suspect it will do quite well in warmer climates such as Wyatt’s North Carolina .                   

                                                             

 

                                                                2003 INTRODUCTIONS

 

*STURM UND DRANG     (seedling T99-14) (RUFFLED ROYALTY X THUNDER AND LIGHTNING)26” EM 6 1/4” SEV RE This is a large, rich and saturated rosy purple with a yellow edge and a lighter purple watermark. The blossom has a commanding presence with the added benefit of very reliable rebloom. STURM UND DRANG has as good an overall plant habit as any I grow. It has big husky foliage with deep green leaves. Establishes quickly,  grows exceptionally well. Pod fertile but not easy, pollen is quite good.                                                                      $25

 

ASHWOOD BLUE HIGHWAY (seedling T00-69) (ADMIRAL’S BRAID X FLIGHT OF THE RAVEN) 26” EM 6 1/2” SEV RE This is the cultivar that has given me hope of a truly blue eye and edge in my program. It is light raspberry with a very blue eye. This same shade of blue is also found on the edge along with purple and gold. We get reliable rebloom from this one, reflecting the FLIGHT OF THE RAVEN heritage. ABH clumps up fast and blooms and grows with vigor. Fertile both ways as is most in this line.                                                                                                 $40    

 

*RUBY REGALIA (seedling T93-1) (CHICAGO RUBY X ED MURRAY) 28” M 5” DOR This one was first introduced as a breeder’s flower. It is also an exemplary garden flower. RUBY REGALIA is the parent of our much anticipated ASHWOOD DARK SIDE The form is very old fashioned. The breeding results are not. RUBY REGALIA is narrow petalled but the children are not. I do not breed spiders but RR might be worth it for that. I am next to certain it would put sunfastness and color saturation into a tet spider program. RUBY REGALIA is a very deep velvet red which holds in the sun very well and is quite well budded and branched green throat  Fertile both ways                                $20

 

*RUTH PARISH (seedling T00-32) (GOLDEN TEARDROPS X ED BROWN) This is a beautiful flower introduced for its combination of beauty and performance. RUTH PARISH is a cream yellow with distinct pink overtones, very round and ruffled. RP has a bright gold edge and a fine green heart. Great branching and high bud counts keep RUTH PARISH in bloom for a long period of time. Very reliable rebloom extends the season here in Ohio well past almost everything else in the daylily garden. Fertile both ways  28” M 6” DOR RE

note: A  report from Ontario , Canada brought us the information that RP was about the best performer in a customer’s recent garden.                              $25                                 

 

*CLARIFICATION (seedling T98-12) (MASK OF TIME X CREATIVE EDGE) This is the best breeder for eyes and edges I have used by leaps and bounds. It is a hard dormant. The spring foliage is deep green, as pretty as any. The foliage characteristic is passed along to the kids. The blossom is pink with a lavender overlay and a purple eye and edge. Pod fertile with some difficulty but the pollen is powerful.   26” M 6” DOR RE

note:  We have always been blown out of the water by the breeding ability of CLARIFICATION. We are coming to a new conclusion. CLARIFICATION is a wonderful breeder but far excels as a breeder of breeders. If you purchased C when it was introduced, do not hesitate to use the seedlings you are now blooming to further the line. They have a strong tendency to make quantum leaps forward in their babies. Pick the one that has the best plant habit even if it does not show a state of the art blossom. That baby of CLARIFICATION may very well give you another leap in breeding sophistication.                                                                                                                     $50

 

*SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE (seedling 00-6) [(LIGHTS OF DETROIT X WHEN I DREAM) X (LIGHTS OF DETROIT X WHEN I DREAM)] X SPECIAL INVITATION This diploid has the flat, flat face of LIGHTS OF DETROIT

along with the greatest substance of any cultivar I have seen, including all tets. SE is a large yellow with an orange overlay, very popular with visitors. It is breeding the most distinctive kids you can imagine. The flat face is passed along to many of them due to the inbred pedigree. If you are not familiar with the ancestor, LOD, you may not visualize what I mean by flat. Many people introduce flowers that are “flat”. SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE puts that description into an entirely different category. SE shows no trumpet at all. SE also can survive a driving rainstorm which shreds every other blossom in the garden. It has the ability to pass along sun and rain resistance to its progeny. The blossom is also an early morning opener of the highest order. Despite the early opening the pollen is almost always good. Fertile both ways but the pollen is easier.    33” M 6” DOR EMO                                             $50                                                    

 

 INTRODUCTIONS-2002

 

*MARY LIGHTFINE (seedling #T98-36) (complicated pedigree involving great grandparent, GLORIA HITE BEST, RUFFLED DUDE, and others.) 32” L 5 1/4” EV RE Until the blooming of MARY’S BABY, MARY LIGHTFINE has shown the best shade of blue-purple of any we have seen in daylilies. With the addition of a startling white edge on both the petals and sepals, MARY offers a flower of outstanding beauty. The scape is exceptional with more than 40 buds.  She will rebloom here on occasion in Ohio .  She has over wintered two winters in northern Maine , zone 3. Reports indicate that ML is even better when grown farther south and has become an important breeder in the programs of a number of hybridizers. Fertile both ways. Fine parent.