For several years I have made it a point to do all the traveling possible during the hemerocallis or day-lily season. In addition to enjoying the enchanting blooms, these trips enable me to keep in touch with new developments and to evaluate new introductions which I see growing under varying soil and climate conditions.
On a tour during the blooming season, we saw only a relatively small segment of the Gulf Coast but we have never seen finer day-lilies than were in evidence. First, we went to Waveland. Mississippi, to see plantings covering an area of 3 or 4 acres.
The garden was of Dr. Hava, not a commercial grower but a semi-retired university professor.
He had been hybridizing for several years. Being a scientist handles his work with serious intent and precision. His field of seedlings is equal, if not superior, to any I have seen. His originations cover not only the color range now available in these flowers, but also tones and suggestions of color that are entirely new—at least they were new to me.
And many are giants in size. None of the Hava seedlings are yet in commerce. However, in a very few years, I think it will be considered a mark of distinction to have one of the Hava day-lilies growing in one’s garden.
With few exceptions, day-lilies may grow from one end of the country to the other. In a few areas varieties must be chosen with particular care, and in some sections, a winter mulch is recommended.
Fall Planting
The fall planting season is here. Be sure to procure seeds of such hardy annuals as alyssum, Arctotis, calendula, calliopsis, candytuft, cornflower, English daisy, dianthus, larkspur, lobelia, lupine, mignonette, pansy, petunia, phlox, poppy, sweet pea, sweet William and verbena—they can all be planted this month or early in October.
Some gardeners are making the first planting of English daisies and pansies as early as August. Through the Middle South and on toward the coast. These early plantings of English daisies and pansies should be in bloom by January.
Should a hard winter hold them back, you’ll have the plants ready to start blooming as soon as the heavy cold has lifted. You can’t lose by planting early.
Planting Daffodils
Check both local garden stores and the many attractive bulb catalogs for the newer daffodils. Gardeners, taken as a group. need to plant more of them. In the Deep South, some complaints are often made after the first year. daffodil flowers are much smaller. This applies only to the giants, I think.
We have grown more than a hundred choice varieties of medium-sized types and after five years the blooms are just as good as they were the first year. These medium-sized varieties will give you a very wide range of colors and flower forms not found in the giants. and for both garden effect and cutting, they are much preferred.
44659 by Ben Arthur Davis