Spent the afternoon in daylily heaven. Connoisseur Jim Stauffer played the perfect host, showing off his 130 varieties planted in the front yard of his Kissel Hill home. Subject to extreme conditions, new varieties must pass the macadam test by weathering a winter in a pot on his driveway. The winners can vie for a spot in his garden and eventually proliferate in the gardens of fans when Stauffer offers the best for sale in the summers. He hosts free garden tours during peak bloom times in June and July.
He also ensures visitors don’t leave empty-handed by gifting each with a small division of a premium variety. But those blown away by the breadth and depth of the display often indulge in larger plants, purchasing their favorites.
Stauffer loves them all, but when pressed, settles on a few outstanding in their classes.
Best everblooming double: the golden D.J. James.
Most fragrant: the cream-colored Vanilla Fluff.
Most unusual form: the hot orange Primal Scream.
Best early bloomer: the large, true pink blooms of Selma Rose.
Largest bloom: the 13-inch blossoms of Webster’s Pink Wonder.
Best rebloomer: the near white Porcelain Ruffles.
Most blooms per stem: the yellow The Jury’s Out.
Best late rebloomer: the red Apache War Dance.
Best eye and edge: the lavender and purple Her Purple Eye Liner.
Best variety to make his wife happy: Sue’s favorite orange-red Alabama Jubilee.