The True Story of the Greenhouse Door Christmas Wreath

Those of you who have heard me talk know the story of the Greenhouse Door Christmas Wreath. For those of you who have not heard me talk, here is the true story.

Back in 1992, it was evident that we could not continue to hybridize daylilies and live in a townhouse, so when we were still full of vim (there is another word that could go in here but it would probably get me kicked off this Robin) and vigor, we began looking for a flat piece of land that we could grow and hybridize our daylilies. In the spring of 1993 we found two acres of flat land with a 60s style ranch home on it that had not been updated since being originally built. In fact, it still had the old dark walnut panelling in the living room. Jean was not thrilled with the house so we continued looking. After about 6 months, we still had not found anything suitable so I said to Jean, What would it take to get you to move into that house"? She relied, "Gut it or burn it." Well, since burning it would be against the law, we gutted it clear down to the studs and did a complete remodel.

We moved on to "the farm" in October 1993. I immediately began looking for a greenhouse to use for hybridizing daylilies and one was purchased and construction began. I believe I remember that it was finished by November. Well, the Christmas of 1993 I went out to the greenhouse one morning and there was a Christmas wreath hung on the door. I asked, "What is this". The reply, "This is to remind you that this greenhouse is your Christmas present, birthday present, and anniversary present each year it appears on the door". The wreath has been there each year since.

To add insult to injury, this year I was told, "The Christmas wreath is on your workbench in the greenhouse, please hang it when you go out." Guess I won't be getting anything again this year. Maybe I will go out and buy something to give myself, maybe not.


Merry Christmas to all and best wishes for a Happy New Year

Life is very, very good.

Lee

2014 Daylily Collection

    We have six new introductions this year for your consideration, all are tetraploids, and most are limited. This is the most diverse collection we have ever offered. We always grow a few of our introductions in the greenhouse during the winter for those wanting their plants early.

H. ‘Bogart’...................................................................d/f...$150.00
33” high, M. SEv. EMO, Re, 5¼” diameter, petals 2¾ wide, sepals1½” wide. 4-way branching 22 buds.
    The flower has ruffled garnet segments with a faint scarlet watermark and a day glow lime throat. The flower seldom water spots after a rain and is completely open early in the morning. We have gotten some very nice seedlings from BOGART. Salter’s H. ‘Camelot Red’, one of it’s parents,  was why we got  interested in hybridizing for reds.
Seedling 1052 [(David L. Hansen X Roses and Gold) X Camelot Red]

H. ‘Bacall’....................................................................d/f...$125.00
34” EM Re EMO Re, 5¾”diameter,  petals 3” wide. sepals 1½”. 4-way branching, 20 buds.
    A foggy watermark showcases this rosy  fuchsia beauty. Ruffled petal and sepal edges echo the watermark colors of white tinged hyacinth blue. The citrine throat of lemon and lime is a perfect ending. Another that does not watermark easily. We have used  the pollen and have set pods on this in the greenhouse.
Seedling 1059 [(Shores of Time X Larry Allen Miller) X Desire of  Nations]

These are all images of H. 'Headache' that I have seen in my garden, taken outside three different years. Maybe now you will understand why I named it Headache.

H. ‘Headache’..............................................d/f...$100.00
28” high, M SEv EMO Re. 5¾” diameter, petals 3” wide, sepals 1½” wide, 3-way branching, 17 buds.
    An extravagantly sculpted knock-out with a lemon yellow bubbly fringe wide baby blanket pink petals with the throat color echoing the fringe to a green heart. The substance is like leather and I have never seen this flower hang up on opening. HEADACHE is fertile both pod and pollen. It is one of our most striking and unique sculpted introductions.
Seedling 0742 (Mandalay Bay Music X Wonders Never Cease)

H. ‘Blue Bayou’ ...........................................d/f...$100.00
27” high, ML SEv Re, 4½” diameter, petals 2½” wide, sepals 1¼” wide. 4-way branching, 20 buds.
    This flower has the WOW factor! A true magenta beauty sporting a smoky blue eye. The petals are lightly crimped and partially lined by the color of the smoky blue of the eye. This flower is a bright spot in the garden and opens flat every time. The substance is heaver than most in this color range. Does not water spot. Fertile.
Seedling 2150 (tetra Lavender Blue Baby X Blue Grass Memories)

H. ‘Scott Drucker’.......................................d/f...$100.00
31” high, EM SEv Re, 6” diameter, 3¼” petals, 1¼” sepals. 3-way branching, 17 buds.
    A heavily ruffled flower of cream tinged pink. The substance is amazing. The ruffles are tinged a darker yellow. I would guess that a flower with this much ruffling would not do well in colder climates. Named for a local designer/landscaper specializing in “cottage gardens”. Another outstanding flower from WONDER OF IT ALL. Fertile both ways.
Seedling 0020 (Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis X Wonder of it All)

H. ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ .......................................d/f...$100.00
28” M SEv EMO Re. 5¾” diameter, petals 3” wide, sepals 1¼” wide. 4 -way branching 17 buds.
    The flower has rich carmine petals and sepals with lightly crimped white petal edges. A lighter halo leads into a citron throat and honeydew heart. The carmine color is well saturated and holds up well in the rain and sun. Good substance. It opens as shown every morning. Pollen fertile, but have not tried to set pods on it.
Seedling 8071 (Awesome Bob X Larry Allen Miller)


SPECIAL - Purchase our entire 2014 collection of six daylilies for $500.00, a savings of $175.00. Plus, we will pay the shipping.  All will be double fans.

    If you find yourself in the southeast near Chattanooga, please stop and visit with us. In March, April and May we have many newer cultivars blooming in the greenhouse. We usually have good garden bloom from the end of May to the end of June. We will also have several thousand seedlings blooming in late May and early June. A call ahead is appreciated to insure we are here to greet you. Always some special garden prices.

Life is very, very good!

Lee and Jean Pickles

A New Journey Has Begun . . .

Sara Lee, our 12 year old yellow lab, left us on April 22, 2013 succumbing to a 9 month battle with pancreatic cancer. Our hearts were sad, but we know her spirit is in Heaven with God, creator of all life.

 A new exciting and sweet life entered our home and lives on July 24, 2013. A three month old yellow lab puppy whom we have named “Sara Jessie Lee” and she will be called “Jessie”. Wow! What an explosive bundle of energy, chewy teeth and wet paws (likes to play in her water bowl).

Spikey, our 12 year old rescued mixed breed male dog went with us to choose Jessie, and was not thrilled with her desire to jump and play. However, he is proving to be a good mentor on exploring the yard and mom’s flower garden, as well as on walks around the farm. He has already put her in her place several times.

And then there is Shiloh, our 4 year old male Snowshoe Siamese cat. The first meeting with Jessie was disastrous to say the least. Mom was holding Shiloh - all was calm - until Jessie decidecd to jump up and investigate. She had never seen a cat before. Explosion on Shiloh’s part - tore mom’s shirt (glad it was not an arm) on the fastest jump and run ever. Tail was three times it’s normal size! Since then he has spent the better part of three days under the bed. It has to get better.



This will be an exciting time again, with house training, obedience training, riding in the car, manners, meeting new people and playing at the doggie park at Greenway Farms. The hugs, cuddle time, and licky kisses will be the best and help Mom and Dad through the days ahead.

We wanted to share our new family member with you, for we know you realize how much we grew to love labs - not to replace, but to continue a “tradition”.

Life is very, very good.

Lee and Jean

Sara

2001 - 2013

 

"As Long as Forever"

As long as you love me
I’ll stay by your side
I’ll be your companion
Your friend and your guide.

As long as you love me
As long as you care
I’ll do anything for you
I’ll go anywhere.

I’ll bring you the sunshine
I’ll comfort your fears
I’ll gather up rainbows
To chase all your tears.

As long as forever
My love will be true
For as long as you love me

I’ll only love you…

                             Unknown

                                                           Lee and Jean