Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Earlybird Sunshine First Daylily of 2008
Earlybird Sunshine (Megan Skinner of Allentown, PA 2001) is my first 2008 daylily bloom in Philadelphia, PA. She says it reliably beats Stella by a couple of weeks. The Skinners, who presented their latest seedlings at the GSDG May 18 meeting, distribute their introductions through Manatawny Creek Farm near Pottstown, PA, which has a website at http://www.manatawnycreekfarm.com/
This is the last two feet of my 2008 bed expansion, which I hand dig in the "double dug" method, except I 100% screen the top foot to remove rocks before adding 25% compost. That rock pile in the background came out of two 14.5 by 4 foot beds. Using 4 by 4 timber borders lets me elevate the beds slightly.
People ask me why I fence all my daylily and hosta beds. Any more questions? Meet Sutra and Karma.
Dog #3 is Shih Tzu Bunny. (She's 3, the Tibetian Spaniels are 10.) Ugly dog fence around garden beds also keeps out local rabbits, and I can tent over the top with deer net if needed.
Mean Mister Mustard is new from Centerton (home of Trophytakers and Happy Ever Appsters) and I think it's outstanding, but it really is mustard colored, a bit darker than this photo. Available at your better garden centers and White Flower Farm.