INTRODUCTIONS 2019 + 2020

DIPLOIDS - 2019

GISELA MECKSTROTH  (seedling 16-36) 7" DOR 30" RE E (IDA MAE NORRIS seedling x Shards Of Kryptonite)  This beauty is named to honor an outstanding individual. Gisela joined the phenomenal METROPOLITAN COLUMBUS DAYLILY SOCIETY in the early 90's. Gisela went on to perform a variety of services for the AHS at a number of important positions. These included such positions as region 2 vice president and later, director, newsletter editor, as well as positions in our local club. She furthermore served as International Membership Chair and later received the highest of honors, the Helen Field Fischer Gold Medal for service. It is our high honor to have the privilege of naming a daylily in honor of our friend, Gisela Meckstroth.

The daylily is a standout in the early season in the garden. It has that special characteristic of grabbing your attention from a distance. The green/yellow throat provides so much contrast with the deep red purple of the petals. Another characteristic that pleases us here is the rebloom which has the unusual characteristic of a higher budcount than the original. The rebloom comes later in the season just when there is a need for some color in the garden. The flower is fertile both ways with the babies being outstanding physical specimens. GISELA MECKSTROTH is a rapid increaser which may allow us to be even more generous with the divisions than our usual double fans divisions. That will depend on demand.                         DOUBLE $100                                          

This image of GM was of some impressive rebloom at the end of the 2019 season. The flower was better than ever and the scape was phenomenal. The rebloom scapes stood out by themselves long after everything else had finished blooming. We could not help but look and admire every time we passed by. 

MAMA WAS A PISTIL (seedling 13-9) 7 1/2" SEV 31" M (IDA MAE NORRIS seedling x MY CUP OVERFLOWS)  Although registered at 7 1/2" that was taken on later blooms that were smaller than the main season blooms. The reason for introduction is as a hybridizing tools for those who, like myself, are interested in larger and larger blooms. A bud count of 18 is spread over a long season of bloom and gives an impressive display in the garden. We turned down a significant number of purchase requests in the garden in 2018 because the flower was as yet unregistered. Don't underestimate this one. It is fertile both ways and a pleasure to grow. The blooms are a very light shade of cream towards white with pink blush and fair amount of green in the throat. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    DOUBLE FAN $60

WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS (seedling 13-15) 6" DOR 29" M (EVIDENCE OF ALIENS X seedling) There is something special about this cultivar that consistently drew visitors to it the last two seasons. It inherits some of the unique form of EVIDENCE OF ALIENS with  very thick substance inherited from the SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE line. The look in the garden is distinct from any other plant we have grown and offers a definable change of pace from the ordinary. With 15 buds there is a relatively long period of heavy bloom to justify its place in the garden. The blossom color is very warm, rich shade of golden orange that reminds you of some of the fantastic sunsets we see here on the top of the hill at Ashwood.                                                                                         DOUBLE FAN $50

DIPLOIDS 2020

WHATEVER'S CLEVER (seedling 15-27) 6 1/2" SEV 38" EM (seedling x MARTHA EDSON NORRIS) I fell in love with this as a first year seedling. It was the best in its class in 2015. The exceptionally bright rose petals are highlighted by the strong green of the throat. A very sturdy and strong plant underneath gives WHATEVER'S CLEVER an outstanding place in the garden. With three branches and 20 buds (measured in a crowded row of clumps) the plant puts on a long and impressive show. Opening well after cool nights is a characteristic that is valuable to anyone in the north. Being pod and pollen fertile makes this introduction valuable to anyone wishing to pursue the SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE line towards the hibiscus form. The pod parent is also of the SE line so something great may come out of this breeding.                                                                                                                     DOUBLE $100

PONYTAIL PRINCESS (seedling 15-15) 7 1/2" DOR 28" M (ALETA EVERETT ADAMS X SHARIN' THE SECRET) We break with tradition in this introduction. We do not breed for unusual forms. We also want high bud counts  on our introductions. However when a charmer like this one comes along it is hard to ignore it. With a bud count of only 10 on two branches you know there must a lot of other good to balance that out. Click on the thumbnail to see a row of small clumps. There is enough in the way of scape production (scape density) to very well make up for a low bud count. The plant is in bloom for a long time as a result. Bud counts are only one measure to indicate the bloom potential of a cultivar. Scape density is a factor that is often overlooked. When Steve Williams saw this one he told me that if I did not introduce it he wanted to buy it to introduce. The flower open well on cold mornings and stands up to any weather as so many of the SE descendants do. SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE is on both sides of the pedigree, once again showing the varied and pleasing breeding potential of that paragon. PP is fertile both ways and should be of great use to those who enjoy breeding for unusual forms. The bright green of the throat contrasts with wonderful lavender pink of the petals. I am not particularly fond of unusual forms but I love this one. The last time I was this charmed by a narrow form was when I saw Holly Dancer in Dottie Warrell's garden the year before she introduced it.                                                                                                     DOUBLE $50  

TETRAPLOIDS 2019

*NAUGHTY BY NATURE (seedling T16-7) 6 1/4" DOR 35" M ( seedling x tet IDA MAE NORRIS seedling) This is the first introduction we have presented with tet IDA MAE NORRIS in the genetics. The parent seedling may need to be introduced as it has proven itself to be a fine breeder in its own right. That will not be done until there is further testing. The blossom is a rich rose with pink shadings and a pink watermark. There are also tiny teeth on a lovely ruffled edge. The yellow green throat completes the look. The overall plant habit is as good as any with deep green, clean foliage that is consistently healthy and remains that way all season. The plant quality will be as good as any in your garden. The four branches and a bud count of 23 give a long and very satisfying season of bloom. The genetics of IDA MAE NORRIS give this introduction a valuable place in the hybridizing garden. Easily fertile both ways.                                                                  DOUBLE FAN $60

*TROPICAL TEASE (seedling T16-2) 6" DOR 37" EM (BORDERS ON BORDEAUX X SPORTIN' LIFE) Selected from a very satisfying cross of two of our plants, TROPICAL TEASE has a glow in the garden that is the very essence of what we desire in our introductions. The blossoms are a very rich, intensely glowing shade of rich rose red. We see some of the coloration of the old classic Hawaiian Punch but with a greater depth. The coloration lasts very well under full sun and draws one's attention all day. The four branches and 25 buds are sufficient to keep the season going and glowing for an extended period. The small rosy pink watermark adds to the overall conclusion that this is a worthy introduction. Being fertile both ways with a number of 2018 seedlings demonstrating that the fine plant qualities are readily passed along to the children, we will continue to use TROPICAL TEASE in our hybridizing program and hope that others will find it of use.              DOUBLE FAN $50