Post a reply

Image
Aug 19, 2013 4:22 AM CST
Moderator
Name: Char
Vermont (Zone 4b)
Daylilies Forum moderator Region: Vermont Enjoys or suffers cold winters Hybridizer Dog Lover
Organic Gardener Keeper of Poultry Garden Ideas: Master Level Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Photo Contest Winner 2023
Last week we visited Dan Bachman’s hybridizing program in Lebanon, Ohio. This week’s hybridizer is located a short drive away in Dayton, Ohio at Pleasant Valley Gardens, the home of hybridizer Joel Thomas Polston.

Joel Thomas Polston (he prefers “Tom”) started in daylilies much like the rest of us. Looking to fill some empty spots around the yard with color, he purchased a few daylilies. The ‘’yard” is 38 acres purchased in 1996 complete with an 1843 federal style farmhouse, outbuildings and barn. What started as a few daylilies has evolved into one of the premier hybridizing programs for daylilies with teeth earning Tom the nickname “the dentist”. Tom believes you should hybridize what you like while working for good plants, bud count and branching. He starts his seedlings indoors in February then hardens them off outside before planting in April/May. With several thousand new seedlings to plant and care for each year added to the thousands already in the garden, time spent weeding became a concern. The answer was developing a system of drilling holes with a doorknob drill into several layers of black plastic. This method has become a timesaver for other daylily hybridizers as Tom freely shares his creative idea to a centuries old problem of gardeners, weed control. Along with the thousands of seedlings are display beds containing over 2000 registered cultivars and summer pasture for the resident Clydesdales.

Deadliest Catch (Polston 2011)



With names like ‘Deadliest Catch’, ‘Born to Bite’,’ Interview with a Vampire’, ‘Riding a Chainsaw’, ‘Carnivore’ and ‘Swimming with Sharks’ it’s not hard to relate Tom’s main hybridizing goal of daylilies with teeth to his inspiration for names.

Carnivore (Polston 2010)



Interview with a Vampire (Polston 2008)



Riding a Chainsaw (Polston 2009)



Swimming with Sharks (Polston 2009)



Only in daylilies for around 16 years, Tom’s hybridizing is being noticed not only by growers and collectors but by others looking to work with teeth and with the AHS garden judges. As of 2012 his cultivars have received 18 Junior Citations and 5 Honorable Mentions (HM). The first HM’s were in 2010 for ‘Forever Blowing Bubbles’ and ‘Raspberry Goosebumps’.

Forever Blowing Bubbles (Polston 2005)



Raspberry Goosebumps ( Polston 2004)



In 2011 his ‘Bob Faulkner’ received an HM and in 2012 the cultivar’s ‘Interview with a Vampire’ and ‘Lady Stephanie Victoria Redding’ were awarded HM’s.

Bob Faulkner (Polston 2006)



Lady Stephanie Victoria Redding (Polston 2007)



In 2011 Joel Thomas Polston was awarded the AHS Region 2 Howard Hite Award, an award given yearly by Region 2 to a Region 2 hybridizer to honor a hybridizer’s continued efforts to improve daylilies.

While Tom’s main goal is teeth, he also works with sculpted and unusual forms and diploid patterns.

To see more of the daylilies from Pleasant Valley Gardens visit their website at....
http://pleasantvalleygardens.n...
Image
Aug 19, 2013 6:32 AM CST
Name: Vickie
southern Indiana (Zone 6b)
Bee Lover Garden Photography Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Daylilies Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Region: United States of America
Region: Indiana Garden Art Annuals Clematis Cottage Gardener Garden Ideas: Level 2
Gorgeous teeth and colors!
May all your weeds be wildflowers. ~Author Unknown
Image
Aug 19, 2013 6:39 AM CST
Name: Cynthia (Cindy)
Melvindale, Mi (Zone 5b)
Daylilies Hybridizer Irises Butterflies Charter ATP Member Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Birds Region: Michigan Vegetable Grower Hummingbirder Heucheras Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
Don't have any of his but sure would like some. Thumbs up Thumbs up
Lighthouse Gardens
Image
Aug 19, 2013 5:48 PM CST
Name: James
South Bend, IN (Zone 5b)
Annuals Region: United States of America Plant and/or Seed Trader Seed Starter Region: Indiana Hostas
Dog Lover Daylilies Container Gardener Birds Enjoys or suffers cold winters
I have INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE that was new last fall and did not bloom for me this year. I like many of his flowers and can't wait to see his future intros. BTW, did any of you catch what a SF of DEADLIEST CATCH sold for on the auction recently?
Image
Aug 20, 2013 1:08 PM CST
Name: Betty
Bakersfield, CA
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Birds The WITWIT Badge Garden Ideas: Level 1 Roses
Irises Daylilies Cat Lover Region: California Region: United States of America
Yes, last I saw it was around $300!
Image
Aug 20, 2013 2:08 PM CST
Name: Debra
Garland, TX (NE Dallas suburb) (Zone 8a)
Rescue dogs: Angels with paws needi
Dragonflies Dog Lover Bookworm I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Photography Bee Lover
Plays in the sandbox Butterflies Region: Texas Garden Sages I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member
Have none, wanted to comment on the great job Char and Juli are doing with this hybridizer series. Thumbs up
It’s okay to not know all the answers.
Image
Aug 20, 2013 8:26 PM CST
Name: Betty
Bakersfield, CA
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Birds The WITWIT Badge Garden Ideas: Level 1 Roses
Irises Daylilies Cat Lover Region: California Region: United States of America
I agree I agree
Image
Aug 24, 2013 6:00 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Char
Vermont (Zone 4b)
Daylilies Forum moderator Region: Vermont Enjoys or suffers cold winters Hybridizer Dog Lover
Organic Gardener Keeper of Poultry Garden Ideas: Master Level Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Photo Contest Winner 2023
I tip my hat to you. Thank you Debra & Betty. Tom's Wild Hair was new this year and I didn't get an image of it when it bloomed Sad I really like the fine fringy edges rather than the thicker edge with large teeth. Would LOVE to get Deadliest Catch some day, not only for the bloom but it's one of my husband's favorite shows. Have to add a few dl's he likes so he'll help wih the tilling and mowing.
There are two others of Tom's growing here, both are from his sculpted form lines...

Neanderthal from the side

Thumb of 2013-08-24/Char/69e383

and a normal "mugshot"

Thumb of 2013-08-24/Char/3a34c1

Ruffles and Ribbons

Thumb of 2013-08-24/Char/a1d043
Image
Aug 24, 2013 6:14 PM CST
Name: Juli
Ohio (Zone 6a)
Region: United States of America Charter ATP Member Cottage Gardener Daylilies Garden Photography Enjoys or suffers cold winters
Birds Hummingbirder Butterflies Dog Lover Cat Lover Garden Ideas: Master Level
adding Neanderthal to my "want list"... I love the upright form and can't wait to see what comes out of them in the future.
Image
Aug 24, 2013 6:24 PM CST
Name: Betty
MN zone 4b
Frogs and Toads Birds Hummingbirder Irises Lilies Peonies
Roses Garden Ideas: Level 1 Region: United States of America Hostas Garden Art Echinacea
Just planted Ruffles and Ribbons nice to see your picture, this is my only Polston daylily.
If you want to be happy for a lifetime plant a garden!
Faith is the postage stamp on our prayers!
Betty MN Zone4 AHS member

Image
Aug 25, 2013 5:37 AM CST
Name: Mike
Hazel Crest, IL (Zone 5b)
"Have no patience for bare ground"
Char, there's nothing wrong with a little bribery ! LOL!
I don't have any of Mr Polston's intro. They are very nice.
robinseeds.com
"Life as short as it

























is, is amazing, isn't it. MichaelBurton

"Be your best you".
Image
Aug 25, 2013 5:42 PM CST
Name: Liz Quinn
Statesville, NC (Zone 7a)
Bee Lover Birds Butterflies Cat Lover Composter Daylilies
Dog Lover Heucheras Region: North Carolina
Received Swimming with Sharks and Swimming with Barracudas as gifts will have to wait for next summer to see the blooms.
Liz
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger .
Image
Apr 9, 2014 6:03 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Char
Vermont (Zone 4b)
Daylilies Forum moderator Region: Vermont Enjoys or suffers cold winters Hybridizer Dog Lover
Organic Gardener Keeper of Poultry Garden Ideas: Master Level Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Photo Contest Winner 2023
Yes Mike, a little bribery goes a long way! Big Grin I still need to find 'Deadliest Catch'.

In 2013 Tom's 'Ruffles and Ribbons' (2003), a pretty red lightly pleated sculpted form, received an AHS Honorable Mention.

Image
Apr 10, 2014 7:08 PM CST
Name: Gerry Donahue
Pleasant Lake, IN (Zone 5b)
Hostas Garden Ideas: Master Level
Tom will be in Indy May 7, and I will be there with my check book.
Image
Apr 11, 2014 2:44 AM CST
Name: Glen Ingram
Macleay Is, Qld, Australia (Zone 12a)
(Lee Reinke X Rose F Kennedy) X Unk
Amaryllis Hybridizer Canning and food preservation Lilies Native Plants and Wildflowers Orchids
Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Pollen collector Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Plays in the sandbox Sedums Seed Starter
Gerry I was hurrying through and I thought your post said you would be there with your cheek bone. Blinking
The problem is that when you are young your life it is ruined by your parents. When you are older it is ruined by your children.
Image
Apr 11, 2014 8:25 PM CST
Name: Lisa Klette
Dayton, KY (Zone 6a)
Region: Kentucky Sempervivums Lilies Irises Hostas Garden Art
Daylilies Dahlias Plant and/or Seed Trader Celebrating Gardening: 2015
Thumb of 2014-04-12/Lilydaydreamer/44a237
Love visiting Pleasant Valley! I try to make it there every year for Northern Mecca weekend. And I always want the seedlings he won't sell me!!!!!!

Thumb of 2014-04-12/Lilydaydreamer/9e08b3 Thumb of 2014-04-12/Lilydaydreamer/4b6cfd

I don't have the budget for the wonderful toothy/ tendril ones ( but I do keep buying a lottery ticket and dreaming *Blush* )

I do have(and love):
.

Sea dragon


Braided starburst
Drops of Jupiter
Hawaiian Coral
Queen City Dreamin'


Here is my favorite Polston seedling ( actually belongs to my 13 yr old son!)
Thumb of 2014-04-12/Lilydaydreamer/57d8f5
Love what you teach and teach what you love!
Image
Apr 12, 2014 12:26 AM CST
Name: Alex
Warren, VT- Green Mtns. (Zone 4b)
Daylilies Region: Vermont Garden Ideas: Level 1 Dog Lover Birds Vegetable Grower
Seed Starter Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Dahlias Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge)
Char,

So glad you started a Polston thread, because he is rapidly becoming a favorite of mine. I have Red Ragamuffin coming in May.

Thumb of 2014-04-12/ARoseblush/f1d930

Red Ragamuffin (Image by Polston)

And I have the following 18 Month old Seedlings Growing in my Seedling Bed

Briar Patch X Deadliest Catch
Fourth of July in Georgia X Deadliest Catch
Fourth of July in Georgia X Van Helsing
Horned Viper X Dr. Celia Stump
Pastor Z X John Kulpa (new this year)
Ruffled Strawberry Parfait' X 'Van Helsing'
Thistles and Thorns X Van Helsing' (new this yr.)
Vampire Slayer X Brer Rabbit & Briar Patch (New this Year)

Besides the tets, all of his diploids this season are amazing Lemon Drop Lollipops, Star Of Kryptonite
Image
Apr 12, 2014 5:03 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Char
Vermont (Zone 4b)
Daylilies Forum moderator Region: Vermont Enjoys or suffers cold winters Hybridizer Dog Lover
Organic Gardener Keeper of Poultry Garden Ideas: Master Level Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Photo Contest Winner 2023
Lucky you Lisa, one of these days I will get out to Tom's and see his place. Pretty image of Sea Dragon and your son's seedling...he's got great taste! Love it Thumbs up

Alex, the few of Tom's that I grow do very well up here. The only toothy one I have I think is Wild Hair. Red Ragamuffin should be a good one, I almost bid on one of the listings for it on the LA over the winter. Those seedling crosses should give you some nice seedlings to work with.
Image
Apr 14, 2014 8:44 AM CST
Name: Alex
Warren, VT- Green Mtns. (Zone 4b)
Daylilies Region: Vermont Garden Ideas: Level 1 Dog Lover Birds Vegetable Grower
Seed Starter Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Dahlias Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge)
Char…..It's difficult to get your hands on Polston's toothy plants. Not too many southern growers have them, and a lot of his plants are only available through his collections only. When Polston's plants show up on the LA, they are still expensive and get snapped up quickly. I was lucky with 'Red Ragamuffin'. I brought it as a reserved buy from James Hall (mljomo) last October. Since I work a lot with seeds and seedlings, the easiest way for me to get these toothy wonders, is to buy the seed crosses. But even the seeds are tres chere (expensive)! I am very excited about these seedlings, I am growing.

I don't buy many diploid plants, but am rapidly changing my mind after seeing his collections. You are correct, Char, his 'patterned' daylilies are to die for. There are several, I would like to get my hands on "Lemon Drop Lollipops", "Crimson & Clover". Thumbs up

I also love his tetra "Pussycat Swallowtail". Just yummy! Hurray! Hurray! Hurray!
Image
Apr 14, 2014 5:01 PM CST
Name: Glen Ingram
Macleay Is, Qld, Australia (Zone 12a)
(Lee Reinke X Rose F Kennedy) X Unk
Amaryllis Hybridizer Canning and food preservation Lilies Native Plants and Wildflowers Orchids
Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Pollen collector Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Plays in the sandbox Sedums Seed Starter
Alex it is cute Lemon Drop Lollipop

The problem is that when you are young your life it is ruined by your parents. When you are older it is ruined by your children.

You must first create a username and login before you can reply to this thread.
  • Started by: Char
  • Replies: 35, views: 8,528
Member Login:

( No account? Join now! )

Today's site banner is by Zoia and is called "Volunteer"

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.