Growing Daylilies Together

'BEARDED' forms: A New Age In Daylilies! By Brad Best (version B )


Over the past few years, there has been much curiosity over one of the newest and most cutting edge forms in daylilies: stable 'Bearding.' Within this presentation of data, I’d like to take the moment to discuss the attributes and merits of the 'Bearded' daylilies we hybridize and grow here at Rainbow Hill Daylily Farm. However, I must say, before the 'Bearded' form (not to be confused w/sculpts) even became reality, I spent years of research and effort hybridizing in order to get the first consistent 3-way, forked-appendage, full 'Bearded' daylily introduced - before any 'alternative' definitions related to this particular raised petaloid effect were in the making. Thus, in 2005 we registered and introduced MICHAEL’S SWORD and a New Age in daylilies began to unfold!




MICHAEL'S SWORD (BEST 2005) - the 1st consistent 'Bearded' daylily introduced into commerce! MICHAEL’S SWORD was named to symbolize the “sword of truth” wielded by ‘Michael,’ the mightiest of God’s archangels. Hence, the term ‘True Bearded’ daylilies!



IN THE BEGINNING:

Years ago, while some were focused on hybridizing for eyes, doubles and bubbly edged daylilies, I decided to begin hybridizing for something that didn’t exist with consistency. As an avid daylily collector and ‘entry-level-hybridizer’ I was told by a favorite hybridizer (Bob Carr) ~ "it’s best to be focused and go after one thing and do it with determination vs. going in all different directions" - and so I did! In the mid-1990’s I saw a few flowers that caught my eye that occasionally sputtered what some were calling mid-rib crested forms or "mutations" - as well as a few that sported what daylily scientists of today like to call: St. 'Elsewhere' effects (I added "Saint" to give it more spirit!). However, none of those flowers had consistent or stable plant habit. And most all of them rarely sported their extra petaloid-like effects on all three petals (3-way) when it occurred. Thus, I began my quest for a stable daylily form with very few options for parents. Again I repeat - "VERY FEW OPTIONS."




Seedling #X3-100-4110: bloomed with 100% 3-way 'Bearding' (all three petals) on it's maiden voyage into this world (summer 2012).



I had no formulas or past history to go by, only a prayer and a vision in my mind with God's help! Another well known hybridizer (Grace Stamile) once told me the trait I was seeking was most likely recessive and suggested my chances were “slim to nil” for getting consistency - but in the same breath told me not to give up hope! "Miracles can happen!" Obviously, I didn’t give up! Thus, I spent several summers keeping my eyes open for anything that might offer hope for success.

After some trial and error hybridizing efforts I eventually began working with BEE’S BETTIE SUE (P. DOWNIE ‘97) along with a few other daylilies in my quest for a true and consistent, but indescribable form w/o a name. A name that was always right on the tip of my tongue!




One of our newest 'Bearded' seedlings (AKA: seedling #X3-100-2477) bloomed for the first time summer of 2011 - along with several other 100% stable bearded newborns that strutted their stuff in our nursery!



AND THEN GOD GAVE ANOTHER HINT...

One day, as I was browsing my favorite iris nursery in the late 1990‘s, I thought to myself, “The growth effect within a bearded iris (w/hair appendages) and other bearded creations is somewhat similar "in placement" and silhouette to what I am working to produce in daylilies. Why not call this new daylily form “bearded?” So, others will be able to easily identify with a familiar 'appendage' design already happening within a different flower species - like is done in zoology (ie: Bearded Ghoul fish, Bearded Dragon lizard, Bearded Soap fish etc.). Or, for those who may be somewhat opposed to how "fish or reptiles" are named - let us identify with a design/name that's been used in various formats in botany (ie: Forked 'Beard' grass, 'Bearded' Wheat grass, 'Beard' Grass, Bushy 'Beard' Grass etc-etc.). But in the case of a new and undefined daylily cultivar, let us focus on it's own original 'appendage' (bearded/barbed) descriptive vs. hair appendages. Apparently, bearded irises aren't the only creations on earth deserving of a "close shave!"




Seedling #X3-100-3440; 100% 'Bearded' as well as a pinched/quilled UF!



A FLOWER FORM THAT DEFIES SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION

The original process for labeling this new and distinct daylily cultivar never had anything to do with "hair" filamentation as per the imprecise assumptions imposed by "critics" within the scientific community years later (~ a minority group who began asking questions once the 'Bearded' daylily was already publicly known as a stable and promising "new daylily form!").




Seedling #X3-100-3321: 100% 'Bearded' - one of the many new 100% 'Bearded' seedlings growing within our 'Bearded' daylily program. This one exhibits it's 'Bearded' formation along with a purple halo!


However, in the case of daylilies, the 'Bearded' definition differentiates itself scientifically as it literally forks-in-the-road vs. irises (& unrelated sculpted forms for that matter). Our "new 'Bearded' daylily cultivars" have a stable forked-Bearded effect with raised spike-like (barbed) appendages (straddling the midrib).* A formation unlike that of Crested (linear/terminal; midrib forms) or Cristate: an unfamiliar label that's recently caused confusion, amongst enthusiasts, sounding like 'Crispate' in UF's (verbally, one cannot distinguish between the two). In other words, a mixed bag of daylily formations that most daylily veterans, as well as, botanists and Master Gardeners do not endorse as like forms.




PHOTO: A single fan line-out of LADY PATCH - stretching her 'claws' on a cold spring morning in May with near freezing temps the nite before (blooming was early this year). Both LADY PATCH and DAN PATCH display 100% 3-way 'Bearding' even after a line-out and division from massive clumps the previous fall (and a cold 1st half of a new bloom season!).


Regardless, of the confusing and off-tangent alternative relabeling designs prematurely induced 'and modified' scientifically, over the past few years, some of us with experience know better. Of course, those who've attempted a shot-gun wedding between the kissing cousins of the original 'hillbilly' sculpts bloodline vs. 'Bearded' forms should have known better. 'Bearding' in daylilies is obviously different (it's loaded in more ways than one) and a more refined purebred (stable) form that "straddles the midrib" vs. the unstable format the Sculpts Group has now become via Crested/Cristate forms ("botanically" described as a midrib; terminal/linear form).

The 'Bearded' daylily is what it is by definition according to the definition of language itself - it's a "Bearded" (barbed) appendage formation (or forked-Bearded if you want to be more technical). You can't blame a 'Bearded' daylily for running away from a marriage with an unstable partner (especially with the arranged marriages in sculpts). Everybody knows that kind of marriage simply never works out - it always ends in a divorce in our culture. Thus, the engagement between Sculpts and 'Bearded' forms never happened to begin with except in the hypothetical sense.

Sometimes, you just gotta laugh and smile at human nature (scientific or not). I guess for some, if they could attach antlers on a Great Dane and add a little bit of rhetoric, they'd call it a reindeer (gotta add some humor). ~ Of course, if I didn't say something, we may see more descriptives scientifically taken out of context; like scientists did, after our short 'behind closed doors' interview a few years ago, resulting in a new term per "THE DAYLILY DICTIONARY" for "beard" - as it may pertain to hair filamentation in irises vs. a barbed/'Bearded' effect in daylilies (an awkward scientific gaffe). Of course, we do not endorse this discriminating scientific manuever and, our doggies are not reindeer (or crested/cristate for that matter). We do have several hundred 'Bearded' doggies ready for a challege in future horse races to come! So far, no other horses outside the stables at Rainbow Hill Daylily Farm have come forward to challenge DAN PATCH or LADY PATCH's 100% win (stable bloom) record. They're still chomping at the bit waiting for a challenge! To date, the tet's are the most unstable examples registered or not vs. diploids, as per our own experience and knowledge working this form. ~ Most likely, you will not hear this valuable 'Bearded' hybridizing secret from other hybridizers (because of the Tet's vs. Dip's thing).




Seedling X3-100-1276; 100% 'Bearded' - one of many 'Bearded seedlings that is fertile both ways!


FAITH AND THE TRUTH IN A NEW CREATION

We believe there's something in God's 'constitution of life' that says, "All beards are 'created' equal!" Thus, our 'Bearded' daylilies remain authentic and original within their own "official" right while others may opt for confusing secondary labels some have created for personal notoriety after the fact. Labels that may keep the public questioning the validity of scientific doctrine. A field of study prone to fallacy in more ways than one.

*appendage: definition #2. "Any of certain appendages likened to the beard of a man." ("Webster's International Dictionary" 2nd Edition; Copyright 1909).

(Note: 'Forked bearded' is an original descriptive that does in fact refer to an authentic beard style men have worn over the centuries as far back as biblical times. Even Jesus "has been described & depicted as having a forked beard, a custom of the Nazarenes." Some things have definitely come around full circle here within the loop of creation - Genesis 2:19.)




Seedling #X3-100-0413; this 100% 'Bearded' near-white surprised us as a new breakthrough colorway in 'Bearded' forms for 2012!



A LITTLE BIT OF 'OFFICIAL' HISTORY

Eventually, after getting positive results with our 'Bearded' seedlings we introduced our nursery: Rainbow Hill Daylily Farm - “Home of the newest & most exciting 'Bearded' daylilies” - (ie: Winter 2005 DAYLILY JOURNAL(Vol. 60. No. 4) - pages #428 & 458 (Hybridizer's Corner w/ MICHAEL'S SWORD photo officially labeled as: Bearded). Ever since then, the 'Bearded' label has caught on like wild fire! ~ scientists still haven't found the right words to say ever since they co-opted and began modifying and using the 'Bearded' daylily's original 'appendage' descriptives; (since the scientific charter and botanical reasoning made no sense at all with such new and untamed daylily form). The 'Bearded' daylily is 'proof positive' that science has become a stumbling block within some organizations as a New Age in dayliles begins to unfold for the next generation of hybridizers in a "New Golden Age."




DAN PATCH (BEST 2010): DAN PATCH, registered with "the horse that knows" name has 100% 3-way 'Bearded' blooming (future release pending). Dan Patch - was a most famous harness racing horse born in 1896; a local hero in our hoosier neighborhoods over a century ago!





LADY PATCH (BEST 2011): LADY PATCH - One of our most exciting new 100% 3-way 'Bearded' daylilies to date (future release pending). LADY PATCH (the 'lily) is named in memorial to "Lady Patch" a black Standardbred beauty - and the first colt ever sired by the "Dan Patch" of Oxford Indiana! On February 15, 1902, at the young age of only 3-years old, Lady Patch collapsed in her stall next to Dan's and died (caused by intentional poisoning). Two weeks later Dan Patch was sold by Dan Messner to a new owner in New York City in order to save his horse from those who had conspired to kill Dan Patch.


HOPES FOR THE FUTURE...

As the first to register such 'Bearded' daylily form with consistency, our family has been blessed having first hand experience in the creation of the True 'Bearded’ daylily phenomenon! I only feel it proper to offer a bit of guidance on what constitutes a 'Bearded' daylily as per my research and 'Bearded' hybridizing experiences vs. what does not constitute a True 'Bearded’ flower form. It is in my sincerest hopes the consistent (stable) 'Bearded' forms will prosper in number and grow in a spectrum of colors, patterns, golden edges & other variations we can only imagine going into the future. In the meantime, as this unique flower form begins to evolve, may 'Bearded' daylilies create more breakthroughs as a New Age of daylilies continues to grow like a Cinderella story!



Seedling #X3-100-2315 performing with stable 'Bearding' here at Rainbow Hill Daylily Farm - "Home of the 'Bearded' daylily!" ('Bearded' c. 1997).


Thanks be to God for all the wonderful creations He has blessed us with! We indeed have a new and exciting creation in daylilies with MICHAEL’S SWORD, DAN PATCH, LADY PATCH and even more True 'Bearded' daylilies to come!

Enjoy the photos and shared data!

- Sincerely, Brad Best & family




Hybridizer's note: As the "originator" of the said, 'Bearded' daylily designs we've grown to date, we do not endorse nor accept any alternative naming designs 'scientifically aimed' against a most authentic and original descriptive (officially introduced 2005) - due to the obvious confusion secondary labels have already caused amongst sincere daylily enthusiasts. The 'Bearded' daylily is what it is ~ like a piece of art 'original unto itself' & is like no other daylily formation in commerce today!

What an interesting posting! Thank you Brad, for stretching our imagination. Thank you for giving us a view of long term hybridizing goals.
I am not yet a fan of such exotic expressions, but you make a compelling case for the use of the term "bearded."

My original vision as a hybridizer has always been to stretch the limits our beloved daylily into a new form with God's help keeping hybridizing data/facts genuine. The 'Bearded' daylily simply rests upon it's own laurels with 'authentic' expression vs. recent scientific fabrications apparently aimed at inhibiting sincere hybridzing facts. Fabrications that hybridizers like myself (who've witnessed fact vs. fiction) consider 'scientific fallacy.' Thus, unlike some, "I am not a "fan" of scientific fallacy, nor am I concerned about being politically correct (in this particular instance). Those who consider themselves 'polltically correct' co-opted 'Bearded' data over time inventing famous maker scientific alternatives. Hearing some of the concocted discussions about sculpts these days makes some of us smile and shake our heads listening to those who think they know it all. I feel sorry for 'sculpted' fans for they have truly been deceived by their own kind in more ways than one.

Some hybridizers prefer to talk to the public with sincerity about a new daylily form and how it was conceived with vision in the very beginning. My vision in hybridzing does not allow our 'Bearded' daylilies to grow amongst untruths, nor pretend to be something they never were. Because I speak with standing, as per our original 'Bearded' daylily hybridizing program, I may not have many "fans" in the political realm of Daylilydom - but that's never been a hybridizing goal of mine. Our fans are already amongst 'Bearded' daylilies (no pun intended).

The most "compelling" fact about the 'Bearded' daylily label, as per the forked-appendage (barbed) form at hand, was that it was first out of the starting gates into commerce via THE DAYLILY JOURNAL in 2005 (a scientific journal).

The scientific community has certainly given the next generation of hybridzers a 'new purpose' for the sake of public interest vs. simply 'marketing' another daylily. Personally, I believe scientists today put more focus on marketing themselves than hybridizers do for daylilies.

Some hybridize for the love of the daylily - something science simply cannot alter. And some daylilies we couldn't even think of selling within the streets of Daylilydom. They are a part of the family and our growing landscape!

Thank you Mydaylilies.com for allowing opportunity to set some records straight with a New Age daylily form that's been grossly misunderstood, mislabled on more than one occasion and scientifically neglected. A new stable daylily form that's been merged with older (common) formations that are inconsistent and unstable for the most part. Different forms such as traditional mid-rib crested formations (botanically speaking) that are no longer called as such via AHS (the 'scientific' confusion) due to unprecedented intervention during the infancy period of the 'Bearded' daylily (botanically correct per barb).

Thank you, Brad for seeking to clarify and add essential info.

I, like many others in daylilydom, have not wrestled with terminologies to describe genetic expressions in the daylily bloom.

I have had a high interest in language, and its effect on the mind, and how terms get stuck in culture, and their role in changing thought and perception. Words very important in Law and religion, and definition and meaning often hard to pin down.

Daylily lovers and technicians have favorite words, and change always meets with resistance.

So... how will we in daylilydom proceed with this discussion?

Maybe the authors of the 2005 Daylily Journal article you reference would have something to say?

I don't know of a way to see that article, which may help us understand why you stake so much on it.

It is all interesting.

It is amazing what 11 genes can do!

Dear Daniel,

I believe you already have the sincere facts and answers to all questions at your fingertips. Just do a little more research and you’ll find the answers if you truly put your heart into it. The 'original & authentic' answers to your questions may be found via Mydaylilies.com and/or the ’05 "THE DAYLILY JOURNAL" (Winter issue). There you will find the facts that denotes when the ‘Bearded’ daylily first and foremost entered into commerce via the hybridizer. That AHS DJ publication still exists amongst AHS members. You can get a copy from a fellow member, or you may still be able to order a copy from AHS and maybe learn more about "the author" as you so desire.

Although the 'forked-bearded' appendage (barbed) formation is still in it's infancy, it's been a very interesting journey over the past two decades watching this form develop first hand within our gardens (before a few daylily scientists began a 'mockingbird' campaign creating confusion amongst hybridizers & daylily enthusiasts alike). There was never any intention to write against scientific reason. However, it was a few who forced my hand into a situation to defend a new daylily form's background (as well as for the sake of innocence and learnings of daylily newbies in our beloved hobby); against scientific fallacy, fabrication and scientific conjecture. Too many games and tactics ("new methods") have played out at this juncture and yes, it was time to make a stand, for the sake of the public, who will one day enjoy such new and stable daylily form! In time, some of you will see what I say is true. However, if you believe in the "Big Bang" theory, of sculpts, most likely you may believe otherwise.

While some may continue promoting and glorifying unlike forms together as a similar grouping, my purpose with the 'Bearded' daylily form is to illustrate how a new and distinct 'stable' daylily creation was born with God's help (Genesis 2:19). For that simple and sincere purpose, most likely I may continue to be hazed, within other venues, by those, who do as they do, within Daylilydom. However, most of the critics in our hobby I've learned are those sitting at home without a single stable 'Bearded' daylily growing in their gardens (armchair hybridizers). But for some reason, they seem to think they know more about growing such new daylily form. I digress...

'Bumped' - This thread/article updated with new pics etc.

- B. Best

P.s. - Can't wait to post pics on a few of our 'Bearded' ones that rebloomed this year! A pleasant surprise & blessing for 2012.

Holy cow - they are AWESOME!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Here you go Brad. Update it and contact me later on when you are done. Cheers...great photos dude!!!!

Mick

Okey-dokie! Here we go! Everybody all aboard! Up, up and away!!!!

- Thanks, Brad