Luel and I worked hard to develop a unique line of purple daylilies. It started with Tears For Gus and Ancient of Days. These plants had clear white edges and clear purple colors. These were both evergreen daylilies and did not always appreciate our winters.   The genetics of Ancient of Days included Mary Lightfine, Lake Effect, Janet Benz, and Spacecoast Surprise Purple – a nice mix of dormant, evergreen, and 4 different hybridizing programs.Â
 
Seedling 809-3 – Lydia’s Cloth
One of the best offspring from Ancient of Days is seedling 809-3. This has a seedling pod parent 274-1 (Joan Derifield x T. Lavender Blue Baby) that is dormant with a nice scape and color but was a little plain for us to introduce.  Seedling 809-3 (274-1 x Ancient of Days) has a much fancier white edge than the pod parent, a clearer purple color but retains the dormant plant habits. One great trait is the flowers are rarely blemished which is great for such a dark color. Bud count was average in 2010 but as a clump in 2011, we had bud counts that averaged 35 buds on 40″ scapes. We have reserved the name Lydia’s Cloth for this flower and will introduce it in 2013. We set 35 pods on this clump last year collecting over 280 seeds. We love the color of Lydia’s Cloth and the dormant plant habit along with the high bud count. It has a white edge but not as large as some of our other introductions. Again, the genetics are unique with 4 hybridizing programs from Ancient of Days and 2 new programs from seedling 274-1 (Jack Carpenter and Curt Hanson). This unique blend of genetics is now our own line and is the workhorse of our purple breeding program.Â
With the great genetics from both parents, we look forward to many great seedlings from Lydia’s Cloth. We already have a likely introduction from a cross with Heartbeat of Heaven (30-3) and another clear cherry red from a cross with Born to Run (3-3).Â
 
Seedling 30-3
 
Seedling 3-3