Red Oak House Garden Notes no. 53

Wide Wide World daylily

I'm awake before dawn this morning at Red Oak House with a long task list which includes an overdue Garden Notes post. Between painting the house, ailing elderly parents, a trip to Yellowstone, and preparations for my upcoming adventure, I have fallen behind in my writing. Yet, I write for pleasure and have no deadline so it is "all good."

Abundant rains and mostly cool temperatures have made for robust growth, both in the perennial beds and the vegetable garden. The garlic has been harvested and Jim has begun to harvest the potatoes. The garlic crop is in the basement and it is a fine crop indeed!

Last weekend, I divided and moved a few irises that I had flagged in need of new sunnier locations. We had a downpour and hail the next day and I haven't been back there to check if the newly divided plants are still covered in dirt. It is just dawn here and raining, so that will have to wait.

Speaking of dividing, the hostas I divided in June are thriving, surprising me by even putting up blossoms in late July. Here is a current photo with the recently divided hostas in the foreground, in front of the Red Oak Tree.

When I've had a spare moment, I've documented how other hostas I divided last year are doing and I delight in the fruits of my labor. I bought War Party (pictured below) in 2013 from an acquaintance in Bismarck who grew designer hosta and was selling her house. She dug a small shovelful and cautioned me that while hostas will "sulk" the first few years, this one would get huge. I have placed a blue ruler next to the boulder for perspective. I adore its turquoise hue and ribbed texture. Clearly, it is thriving.

War Party Hosta

Gold Drop Hosta

This gal specialized in miniature designer hostas so I bought a number of those from her as well, tiny plants in 1" pots. Gold Drop hosta (pictured above) was small in 2013, but I divided the healthy plant last year and now I have three robust plants.

Sunlight Child Hosta

It is the same story with Sunlight Child Hosta (pictured above), I divided last year and have eight plants! At some point this fall I need to make some notes about other plants I need to divide next spring.

Right now the daylilies are glorious and each day I have a new favorite. Next week I will fly to England for a month, a dream I've had for forty years, and while I know I will miss the pleasure of my garden this time of year, I will be visiting some spectacular gardens there, along with castles and museums and more. I hope your life is as full of color and happiness as is mine.

Mom's Pink Divinity daylily

Baja daylily

Alabama Jubilee daylily

Yellow Titan daylily is like a beacon in the gloaming before a thunderstorm

Primal Scream daylily

Stella's Ruffled Fingers daylily

Patio pot lantana, butterfly heaven

Dakota Sunshine daylily