Chicago - Chicago

Hemeorcallis "Chicago Knobby" Daylily.

Lovely toothed edges.

Hemerocallis "Chicago Star" Daylily.

This is a very hardy plant with huge flowers.

Hemerocallis "Chicago Apache" Daylily.

This was one of my first hybrid daylilies It blooms every fall after most other lilies have finished.

Hemerocallis "Chicago Ruby" Daylily.

The red is so bright and beautiful, it simply glows where ever it's planted.

Chicago, Chicago

That toddlin' town

Chicago, Chicago

I'll show you around, I love it

Bet your bottom dollar

You'll lose the blues

In Chicago, Chicago

And, loose the blues you will when you choose a daylily from the Chicago Series. Their attributes are many, and I find these few basics worth the purchase: beautiful, sturdy, healthy, dependable and substantial. Add to that: the prices are usually very reasonable.

Developed by the late James Marsh, an amateur hybridizer from Illiinois. Mr. Marsh worked in his own small garden to develop some of the finest lavender and purple tetraploid daylilies available. As the years went by, he hybridized many different colors.

Before his death in 1978, Marsh made arrangements with Charles Klehm and Sons Nursery to acquire his stock and to release the daylilies that he would not live long enough to register. You will see these later releases as Marsh/Klehm introductions.

Marsh also developed the Prairie series - several of which can be viewed or purchased at Hornbakers in Princeton.

I have the four Chicago daylilies pictured. These flowers stand up to wind, heat, too much rain or drought. They have long bloom times and exceptional branching. Most increase clump size quickly making them ideal for division. I often give Chicago Apache as presents by simply loping off a hunk. In very little time, the plant has filled in the resulting gap.

The American Hemerocallis Society has named an award after this illustrious hybridizer; the James E. Marsh Award. This award was presented annually for ten years (1981-1990) to the most outstanding purple or lavender daylily cultivar. Quite an honor for our native son.

The following are all from the Chicago Series: Apache, Arnie's Choice, Blackout, Brave, Candy Cane, Cardinal, Cherry, Coral, Fire, Firecracker, Gold Coast, Gown, Heirloom, Jewell, Knobby, Maid, Pansy, Peach Parfait, Petticoats, Picotee Lace, Plumb Pudding, Princess, Raspberry, Royal Crown, Royal Heritage, Royal Robe, Rosy, Ruby, Scarlet, Silver, Star, and Sunrise. When looking for them always include Chicago first.

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"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn."

Hal Borland