. A new browser window will open to display the daylilies in the garden. The files are fairly large so please be patient while loading. If after viewing the garden you would like to see a repeat performace, just wait about 10 seconds and it will automatically repeat. When you have finished viewing a garden, just close the browser window and you'll be back on this page.
If you are not using a DSL or cable internet connection, or if you have trouble viewing the daylily gardens, you should read this.
Leaving the house by the east entrance we follow the walkway to the tropical fountain. That's Jasper the gardener's grey tabby. He loves to sit at the edge of the water. He either watches the Koi or the birds in the aviary. I think he'd probably prefer to catch one of the birds but that will never happen even if he could get into the cage. He's too fat!
Just beyond the fountain is the first daylily garden we will visit. I call it the 'Tropical Dreams Garden' because it is half way surrounded by Hybiscus and lush tropical foliage and the aviary.
(time 3:20)
As we continue our walk you can see just ahead a huge Live Oak right where the walkway divides. This Oak is over a hundred years old and creates a perfect environment for the Ferns and Hosta bed which surround it. The spanish moss creates a nice effect but we have to remove much of it periodically to keep the tree healthy. Let's take the path to the right as it leads to our next daylily garden.
As we pass under the arbor we come immediately into the middle of what I call 'The Surprise Garden'. It's a surprise because you don't see it until you walk into it.
(time 3:35)
Now let's take the path into the woods. As you can see the Azaleas and Dogwoods have finished their bloom for the season. This part of the estate was absolutely beautiful earlier in the spring. Can you hear the water running? There's a small spring fed stream just ahead.
The trees part giving way to a small open meadow with a stream flowing through the middle of it and daylilies all around. This is 'The Meadow Garden'.
(time 3:20)
Beyond the Meadow Garden, the path enters the woods again. As the trail winds gently upwards the trees become thicker and taller. Suddenly there's an opening revealing more daylilies. This garden is completely surrounded by very tall pine trees which give the impression of a high wall around the garden. I call this the Cathedral Garden.
(time 2:30)
Once more the path leads into the woods. Oh, did I mention that I call this the whispering forest? If you stop and listen, the breeze through the high pines sounds almost like faint whispers. This time when the path emerges from the woods it comes into a wide grassy field. Wild flowers are scattered amongst the grasses as the path makes it's way down to a small pond with a bridge crossing it. From the bridge you can see the next daylily garden. There are water lilies and other marsh plants blooming along the edge with daylilies just beyond. Framing the daylilies are roses and a few large crepe myrtles. All this reflects in the surface of the pond from the bridge. That's why I call this the Reflections Garden.
(time 4:15)
Now we follow the path back up the hill. Ahead is a fence covered with pink, red, and white antique climbing roses. The sweet fragrance fills the air as does the sound of the bees as they go about their labors. Through the gate and we're back to the house. There's a broad lawn with a large gazebo and daylilies planted all around. The gazebo has hummingbird feeders hung all around and there's always several of the flashy hummers flitting from feeder to feeder. I call this the Hummingbird Gazebo Garden.
(time 4:00)
There's one last garden I'd like to show you. Just behind the greenhouse is my seedling garden. Hybridizing is the best part of growing daylilies so I should probably call this the 'Fun Garden' but I just call it the Seedling Garden. (time 4:45)
Thanks so much for dropping by. You're welcome to visit any time. And tell your friends!