I don't usually grow unregistered daylilies, but I couldn't resist this little sweetheart. I got this daylily from Bobbi Johnson (Johnson Daylilies). Hybridized by Bob Keitzman in Wisconsin, 'Nu-Era Sure is Cool' is the name he had picked out, but never got around to registering it. Bobbi may be registering this plant in the future if she gets permission from Bob's family. In any case, I am in love with this daylily. Blooms are small –I would say about 4 to 4 1/2 inches, but the scapes grow between 30 and 36 inches tall. I planted mine right up by the house so I could appreciate the beautiful colors and intricate details. Nu-Era Sure is Cool is an early-midseason bloomer, typically starting in late June or early July. The plant is hardy and the blooms are consistent.

Here are the frogs for the class of 2022.

​Daylilies pictured include Pretty in Pink, Heavenly Starbrite, Hey Sue's Crispey, Panic in Detroit, Only Just Begun, Pigment of Imagination, and Boundless Beauty. 

​Pictures taken by Ange, Mary and Tara

There is a funny story about this daylily! I grew Egyptian Spice many years ago, but had given it away to make room for new daylilies. Lo and behold, last year I found it blooming behind our garage in the field. I am guessing a small piece of the crown got thrown in the field with a bunch of weeds. The poor thing looked so pathetic; it was begging for a second chance. Ange dug it out for me and we placed it in our large garden by the road. We gave it some TLC and lots of room to spread. 

Egyptian Spice is a beautiful amber-orange blend that grows approximately 28 inches tall and has large 6 inch blooms. It is a midseason-late bloomer, usually starting in at the end of July going into August. Hybridized in Chicago by Brother Charles Reckamp in 1969, this dormant tetraploid is a classic. It won an Honorable Mention in 1973 from the American Daylily Society. The plant is already thanking me as it bloomed wonderfully this summer. Welcome back!

Gardening has taken on an entirely new dimension for my friend Mary. A large black bear was seen by her next door neighbor's house at dusk one evening. He was strolling around the neighborhood like he owned it. And Mary lives in town, not in the country. Talk about scary… she now gardens with a bear bell attached, so it jingles while she works.

​Mary took this photo from her backyard deck.