GABRIEL’S WEATHERVANE (Turner 2006)

4”, 42”, dormant, M, diploid.  Pointing the way to a new direction in daylilies, GABRIEL’S WEATHERVANE holds its widely-separated, creamy, trumpet-shaped blossoms on tall, four-way branched scapes that carry up to 20 buds.  The elongated milky-smooth trumpets portray an airy elegance that is restful and soothing – lovely counterpoints to the stronger colors of the garden.  Although perceived by the camera as having a light-yellow infusion, GABRIEL’S WEATHERVANE is enjoyed as a light-cream self by the eye, finding a small green throat at the end of the long, narrow, four-to-five inch trumpets.  Awarded “Best Seedling” at the New England Daylily Society’s 2005 Flower Show with five well-spaced blooms open, GABRIEL’S WEATHERVANE will be valued for both its show presence and its considerable usefulness to hybridizers looking to take this unusual form in ever-expanding directions.  Complemented by proportionate medium-green foliage, it is fertile both ways.  Hybridizer’s will be well-advised to protect seed pods from the keen eyes and beaks of foraging finches.  Cold-hardy, D555 was the show-designated alias for D97-247 [(Toy Trumpets x Unknown) X Unknown].  Very limited; $50 single fan; plus applicable ordering S&H.

TWO MELANIES (Turner 2006)

4”, 41”, dormant, MLa, diploid, double.  A clear medium-yellow self with a green throat, TWO MELANIES is named after two of my favorite hemerocallis hybridizing friends.  Organically grown with no added water and fertilizer, TWO MELANIES doesn’t require the viewer to bend over to appreciate the exquisite clean lines of its bloom and plump buds held well above the medium-green foliage.  Top branched with up to 14 buds, it requires no staking when grown in this manner in that special garden spot that begs for neglect and full sun. Singling for the first bloom or two, TWO MELANIES doubles about 85 % of the time and is fertile both ways.  Cold-hardy, D93-43 is a cross of two unknowns due to a lost label.  Limited; $45 single fan; plus applicable ordering S&H.

WAKE UP KISS (Turner 2006)

3”, 33”, dormant, La, diploid.  Roused from her long slumber, Sleeping Beauty’s attention would be immediately drawn to WAKE UP KISS if romantically carried by her charming young prince. Its beguiling pucker-up eye of vivid strong pink and warm flashes of yellow yield to a vibrant green throat that yearns for more sweep-off-your-feet passion.  Light pink petals, slightly darker-pink sepals and medium-green foliage are enhanced by WAKE UP KISS’ casual, throw-caution-to-the-winds ruffling. For the young, and young-at-heart; a reminder of love’s allure; WAKE UP KISS is cold-shower-hardy for those too overcome to move on to the next hem.  Fertile both ways with look-at-me top-branching carrying up to 11 buds, D98-440 is a cross that includes two favorite heart-tuggers [Siloam Bo Peep X (Gunmetal x Unknown)].  Limited; $35 single fan; plus applicable ordering S&H.