High Bud Count, Etc.

When I was at the daylily gardens, I was trying to tell the owner what it was I liked, which sort of flowers caught my eye. I stuttered something like "dark purples" and mentioned my latest bloomer at the time, which was 'Grand Masterpiece'. But then Betty said, "I bet you didn't get too many flowers from it though, did you?"

And she's right, I guess. Bud count is not one of the things I consider when I choose a daylily. I do have some daylilies that are solid performers in that regard, but to tell you the truth, most of them are not my favourites.

Although I do like 'Cricket Dance'.

'Cricket Dance' Has a High Bud Count



The problem with high bud count is that it results in high spent bloom count, too. Very messy plants. Especially if the flowers are large and fleshy, you can get ugly results. 'Daring Deception' is a case in point.

'Daring Deception' Has a High Bud Count



Note that the two flowers down in front are 'Sabine Baur'.

As far as I know, the Siloams usually have a high bud count. For example, 'Siloam Merle Kent', 'Siloam Doodlebug', 'Siloam Plum Tree' are ones that I have. 'Siloam Merle Kent' is my most well-established of the three.

Siloam Merle Kent Has a High Bud Count



But look at how the spent blooms make the plant look messy, and interfere with the current blooms. Sometimes the buds negatively affect the blooms, too. And deadheading becomes harder when you are working around buds and current blooms, hoping not to dislodge any with an extra enthusiastic snap or tug. So really, I am not especially a fan of high bud count. I see as many problems as advantages.

New Plants and First Blooms

These are my new plants and first blooms today.

All American Baby (New)



Bela Lugosi (New)



In the photo above, try to ignore the blemishes and picture it as a uniform purple. It's a new purchase and this is the only bud I got with the plant.

Smith Brothers (New)



Can you see how similar 'Smith Brothers' is to 'Root Beer'? Only the ruffles and the greenish tinge to the throat make it look different.

'My Hope' First Bloom Today


Photos belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com and may not be used without permission.

Executive Decision

I've been in touch with Betty about "Apollo's Chariot" -- my daylily that didn't look like it was supposed to -- and she's offered (in an executive decision) to exchange it for an "Executive Decision". One that is much more expensive. I feel bad.

So tomorrow we are going to pay Betty a visit and return the current plant for a new one.