In Defense of Bonus Plants

 For us, one of the interesting aspects of 'getting into daylilies' was finding out that the growers have a tradition of adding bonus plants to an order. We have had the pleasure over the years of being introduced to a number of varieties we would otherwise never have experienced if they had not been added to our order by the grower.  It didn't matter whether they were given to us free of charge because they weren't a big seller, were an older variety, or the seller just didn't like them or they grew 'too well' for him. 

Some of these varieties have been wonderful additions to our hybridizing program and others haven't excited us and were given away or even sold locally.  Nonetheless, it is a generous gesture for a plant grower to add a free plant to your order. It usually results in an immediate 'trip' to the daylily database online to see what we had been gifted.

Bonus plants we have received over the years that have turned out to be serendipitous additions. All of the following have  been great growers in our zone 5/6 garden with no snow cover...


Forever the Optimist, tet, 2009, by Don Longton, a Canadian grower.  A beautiful garden plant, a fancy mid-late for us and it reblooms!


Fear Not, tet, 2006, Carol Emmerich, love a red with a watermark!

Deadliest Catch, tet, 2009, Tom Polston, a great toothy variety, fully hardy, and a great parent!

Dappled Dynamo dip, 2013, Derrow. This is the gift that keeps on giving!  Not a large or spectacularly colored bloom, but it is a repeat bloomer and a bud builder.  The first and last to bloom in our garden. A great performer. 

Buena Fortuna, tet, Dale Hensley, 2009, warm orange and a reliable, healthy plant


Buddy's Wild and Wonderful, James Hall, tet, 2008, great form!


Buddy's Betsy, tet, James Hall, tet, 2013. Often this is the first bloom of the season for us, which makes its bright color all the more appealing. 


Autumn Minaret, Arlow Stout, dip, 1951.  A notable cross of H. altissima and H. fulva.  Color is a bit muddy by modern standards, but it has the bolt upright stems of altissima, is not yellow, and is registered at 60" tall, but can exceed that.  As the name suggests, it is a late bloomer, perfect for the back of the bed or to disguise your trash barrel!

Mardi Gras Indian, Bob Selman, tet, 2014. A bright spot in any garden! Such clean, clear color that it refuses to be ignored. Has been observed showing a reverse bicolor pattern in cooler weather.  Love this one!


Luscious Kiss, Kathleen Nordstrom, 2018, dip


Little Danny Darko, Patricia Cochenour, 2018, dip.  This little guy is a major producer of seeds and gives a range of color in its offspring as well.  It's been a major contributor to our small diploid program. 


Lillian's Thin Ice, Clyde F. Manning, dip, 2009.  Absolutely lovely and a delight to have.  We have very few white daylilies, but this one is a keeper. 


Jack's Mischief, Mike Grossmann, tet, 2019


Ink and Pink, dip, Bob Faulkner, 2017. A delicate beauty!


Holy Sombrero, Dale Hensley, 2011, tet.  If you like them big, bold, flat, and showy, this is the ticket. Based on Whatley genetics, with a brighter color.


Gavin Petit, Ted Petit, tet, 2004



Candy-Coated Confection, tet, Ridder, 2013.  Scrumptious color!

I would like to note that among growers of other genera than Hemerocallis, a 'bonus' plant is very rare, indeed.  Most of the time you receive what you ordered and no more! It is distressing to us to see disparaging comments (usually on Facebook) about these free gifts to a buyer of plants.  Criticisms range from 'not to my liking' to 'they should know I only grow diploids!'.  Why  would someone  make a public post criticizing something they received free of charge, not expected or required of the grower is beyond reasonable thinking.  If you don't like it, give it away, sell it, or pitch it in the trash, but don't berate the seller for not sending something you would have ordered yourself.  Be gracious, be kind, be reasonable.  Be thankful for what you were given. A bonus plant should not be expected at all and is not common outside the world of daylilies. 

We do give bonus plants with most orders, so be nice!

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