July is here and the gardens are showing sure signs of summer. It seems things are somewhat behind from their usual performance, but the blooms are finally unfolding!
The dahlias are beginning to form buds, the gladiolus are up, the daylilies are starting to bloom and the astilbes are showing all their color! It’s summer in the garden!
The daylilies in the garden are indeed one of the stars in the summer gardens, especially when choosing the varieties that offer blooms twice a growing season such as this particular variety: Handwriting on the Wall Daylily
As a flower farmer and home gardener, daylilies always seem to add interest & detail throughout the gardens and field here at the farm.
Below is an example of what stage to harvest the stem of a daylily when using in fresh bouquets: JUST when the first bloom is about to unfold if not sooner.
Please don’t allow the short-lived blooms to discourage you as a flower farmer from adding them to your list of things to grow for fresh cuts. Simply make sure you’re harvesting stems that hold numerous buds for days of blooms when creating bouquets! The majestic detail that a daylily bloom offers in a floral arrangement is worth the plucking of spent blooms to encourage the other buds to open.
As July continues, temperatures will begin to rise. So, keep a watchful eye on plants to ensure they’re watered, no pests are feasting on them and keep harvesting or deadheading to encourage healthy plants! The earlier you catch a plant or flower in distress, the higher its survival rate is. We don’t want to lose our investment to a moment of haphazardness!
Happy Gardening, friends!
– Pamela Anthony
Beehind Thyme Farm & Garden