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| Nature's Edge Daylilies Introductions and select seedlings | |
Nature's Edge Daylilies is a hobby garden run by myself, Gayle (Menges) Story,and my husband Rick,located in Danville, Illinois. I have been breeding daylilies for over 25 years, but a divorce and life as a single parent with child kept me out of the loop for several years. Thanks to the wonderful people who host websites such as The Hybridizer's Corner, Charlotte's Daylily Diary, and Mike Longo's Lily Auction, I have been able to market my daylilies. Most of the genetic material of Nature's Edge Daylilies is from Salter, Stamile, Trimmer, Lambertson, Kinnebrew, Peat, Smith and Carpenter genetics to produce my own lines. The hybridizing focus here is on clear 'blue' lavenders, true reds, patterned eyes, deep true purples,and just good "doers" for the entire country. I have always followed the advice given to me by the late masters of hybridizing Bob Carr, Ra Hansen, and Steve Moldovan: "No matter how much money you spend, $5.00 or $500.00, buy the best breeding material you can afford, even if it is only one plant. That one plant will eventually pay for itself in the quality of your seedlings." That is so true!! My seedlings are not pampered, but grown with enough water and fertilizer to get them started as babies. Then I let Mother Nature do her thing until they bloom. The result has been daylilies which are true perennials, surviving in the least favorable environments, and still producing beautiful blooms with great plant habit. My theory is that if daylilies can't thrive without being 'force-fed' on a continual water/fertilizer (CLF) regimen, then the average gardening person won't be successful in growing them to their true beauty. I have also found that daylilies which are grown on CLF eventually lose their branching, bud count and all the bells and whistles when grown as an average gardener would grow them. The open prairie climate of Illinois presents some challenges for hybridizing daylilies; droughty summer weather coupled with cold, windy winters, often with little snow cover. Since several of my early hybridizing 'buddies' passed away due to cancer contracted from handling pesticides and conversion chemicals, I do not use any pesticides and very few herbicides (Preen and Roundup)here. The result has been that the beneficial insects now control the pests; birds,toads and earthworms abound to do their jobs. Yes I do have a few weeds, and a few bug bites on the plants. But there are also wonderful surprises that the birds bring in the form of wildflowers, and I do enjoy the wildlife more than I did a pristine garden. In 2002, I married my long time friend Rick Story and moved my daylily program to our 100 year old farmstead. My wonderful husband allowed me to retire in 2004 from the landscaping business to concentrate on raising daylilies,caring for our home and helping out our parents when needed. We have had the good fortune to be able to attend many of the Region 2 events in the past 5 years, and hope to do more traveling in the future. NATURE'S EDGE DAYLILIES is located 30 miles east of Champaign IL (GO ILLINI!), just 5 miles north of I74. We love visitors, and are open to tours and garden clubs. The coffee is always on and the punch is cold, so come by and say hello! Our contact info is : Rick and Gayle Story 14041 E 2200 N Road Danville, IL 61834 e-mail: storygayle@gmailcom Phone : 217-443-3760 |
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Nature's Edge Newest Introductions for 2012 Something for everyone! 14 Photos |
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Nature's Edge Introductions Past and present introductions from Gayle Menges Story 69 Photos | ||
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2009 seedlings Selected daylily seedlings from 2009 crop 19 Photos |
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2008 seedlings Selected daylily seedlings from 2008 crop 11 Photos | ||
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2010 seedling crop Selected seedlings from this year, two year old plants. 44 Photos |
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Paintings by Gayle Story My other life's work 5 Photos | ||
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2011 seedlings The 2011 seedling crop, some of the best to ever bloom here. Some surprises from very interesting and difficult crosses. 41 Photos | ||||
