Creating modern hardy hybrid daylillies...
especially for gardens in northern zones!

Daylily: Paul L. Vincent

Having offered the farm as a "point of inspiration" to artists who are fellow members of the Southern Arts Society seemed like a great idea, but honestly didn't prepare me for the friends I would make in the process. The most notable, was a really friendly artist named Paul Vincent.

Paul came out several times, very early in the morning, to get photo's to use as a base for his very unique art... creating impressionistic framed pieces, unlike anything I've ever seen. For the first day, I essentially just let him go about his picture taking as I was hybridizing... but after observing during a few of his visits, I realized he truly appreciated the beauty of the flowers... and the setting. Considering everything I've been through to create this place, it obviously meant something to me to have someone seem to enjoy it to the degree that he so obviously did. Truth was, we really didn't need to say a lot to each other, as we would walk together through the misty mornings just after dawn... the sheer beauty and feeling of a friendly companion to share such things with was all the bond we really needed.

For the next two years, Paul came by regularly to visit, and we'd stroll through the flowers for a time... mostly sharing thoughts of art and spiritualism. When Paul was just getting started on a project using the farm, he developed cancer quite unexpectedly. It was really hard on his family, and they most certainly made things as good as they could be for Paul as he battled the terrible disease. In June of '09, they brought Paul up for a stroll... it was so good to see him out and about! Though difficult for him to walk, he managed to get out into the field... and went right for a clear and bright orange flower that was just blooming it's heart out. Tall, vibrant, and quite statuesque... I thought the flower was too much like him not to give him some to take home! I was really glad I did, because just weeks later, Paul indeed passed away.

I'm happy to introduce this flower not only based on it's merits, but because it was Paul's favorite. In his memory, all of the proceeds from the sale of this plant will be donated to the Immunotherapy Oncology Research at the Medical College of Georgia.