'Wilson Spider' is a wonderful dormant diploid daylily that was introduced in 1987 by Bill and Stewart Oakes at Oakes Daylily Farm in Corryton, Tennessee. I have grown Wilson for over 25 years and it is consistently beautiful and winter-hardy in my Wisconsin garden. I originally received a division of this plant from a friend and over the years I have been able pay it forward by sharing divisions with my friends.

The spidery 7.5"  blooms are registered as a bitone or reverse bitone. In the landscape it's a valuable later-season bloomer. In 2020 bloom was from July 22 to August 23. Scapes are registered as 28" tall, but in my yard they grow about 35" tall. (Happy plant!)

Wilson Spider has 98 child plants on the books that include Concorde Nelson, Desperate House Cats, Long Legged Cowboy, Politically Incorrect, Shoo-Fly Pie, and Small World Jack in the Box. If you love spiders, this daylily is definitely a sure-thing and will not disappoint.

American Daylily Society Awards:
Award of Merit: 2009
Honorable Mention: 2006
Harris Olson Spider Award: 1994

With spring right around the corner, an important topic of interest for gardeners is the Jumping Worm. Jumping Worms are extremely invasive earthworms. Already well-established in the United States, they were first identified in Wisconsin in 2013. Vigilant prevention is crucial to keep these nasties out of your garden.

The links below have great information to help you prevent the spread. Purchase your annuals, perennials and mulch from a reputable source; these nurseries should be fully aware of Jumping Worms. Be careful when sharing plants between gardens. I would also like to add that I have made it a routine practice to treat any new bare root daylilies that come into my garden with a 10% bleach solution (1 cup bleach to 10 cups water). I soak my daylilies for an hour or so and hose them off with water and let them soak in the water to rehydrate before planting.

Be observant -- and good luck!

Jumping Worm Information and Resources:
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/jumping-worms/

https://bugwoodcloud.org/mura/mipn/assets/File/UMISC-2018/Wednesday/PM/Ellis_Williams_Education%20and%20Outreach%20for%20Jumping%20Worms.pdf

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Invasives/fact/jumpingWorm.html

https://extension.umn.edu/identify-invasive-species/jumping-worms

Video Shown is from Expedition Homestead
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHL8vmWhZkXDs2UFdNxG7Sg

For a Valentine's Day blog, this vibrant red daylily is the perfect subject. 'Via Dolorosa' checks all the boxes for a must-have daylily. At the beginning of the day the bloom color is darker as in the first photo. Towards the afternoon it resembles the second photo. I think both the am and pm colorations are equally beautiful. My plant grows happily in 100% sun.

Via Dolorosa was hybridized in Minnesota by Karol Emmerich (2009). A dormant tetraploid, it grows 30" tall and thrives in a northern climate. The lovely green foliage is a nice contrast in color to the rich red flowers. Blooms measure 6.5 to 7" in size and are fragrant, early morning openers (bud count: 21-25). Last summer Via Dolorosa bloomed from July 9 to August 9 in my garden. This daylily also exhibits instant rebloom.

American Daylily Society Award: Honorable Mention 2020

I always wanted to see the rolling hills of the Cotswolds in south central and southeast England. When I finally visited, the Cotswolds did not disappoint...the scenery was bucolic, with medieval fairy tale towns from centuries past and cottages built with the yellow-gold limestone of the region.

The thatched roofs in particular fascinated me. I had never seen them other than in photos, or nostalgic Thomas Kinkade paintings. Many thatched-roof homes are remnants of the 19th century or they even go as far back as the 16th century. There are approximately 60,000 thatched roofs in the UK. When a roof has been professionally thatched, it should last between 40 and 50 years. The roof ridge, however, has to be replaced roughly every eight to ten years. I took some close-up roof photos so you can see the layers of straw in the thatching and the chicken wire mesh covering the top. The chicken wire is used to discourage mice, squirrels and birds (especially crows) from eating, destroying, or flying off with the straw. So interesting!

Info from:
britishheritage.com
insurancechoice.uk