Growing Daylilies Together

I started collecting daylilies, in 2005. I had bought some from one of those cheap catalogs where you just get colors. There were four, and to this day I still have three of them.

I would say that those that influenced me back then and still do today, would be the Shooters, at Marietta Gardens. John Shooter will be mentoring me when we go for a visit this June. How exciting is that! I ordered from them first and was impressed with their assortment. I started out with their lower-priced daylilies and by the next year started buying just their introductions. From that second year on, I had to try starting some from seed, so I bought some. I saw how super easy it was to grow them and from then on was obsessed, as you all can relate.

I joined the AHS the second year as well, and started getting catalogs from other hybridizers. I ordered some tetraploids from Stamile, Petit, and Lambertson etc.

My biggest influence for toothy cultivars was when I happened to visit the Northern Mecca website. I saw something so beautiful that my jaw hit the counter. I w rote to tell the hybridizer how much I loved them and to my added excitement, she emailed me back. That is how I met Shirley Farmer, and we became great friends. It was to be the last six months of her life. She was the one that started my toothy phase and has been the biggest influence also for edges. It was just the best thing that we had that short time together, one I shall always treasure.

I belong to the Puget Sound Daylily Club, and am responsible for tours that we have every year of local gardens. I have never been able to attend a National Convention as of yet but hope to in the future.

My partner in crime has been Lori Kay Haight. We have been the best of friends buying and trading with each other an extra fan here and there. But our crime 'spree' has come to a stop as it had gotten out of control. But that is how we got so many new introductions in such a short time.

What I enjoy about Daylilies is the vast variety of them, in color, form, and just wondering every night what the next day will bring.

My goals are still changing, and I have more than one. I am hybridizing dips and tets; time will tell where my path will lead. I love sculpting, teeth, and patterns.

Debbie K. Friedlander
415 Lakeview Rd. K25
Lynnwood, Washington 98087