It will take some time as we sort out the ones we wish to save. These are mostly coming from the beds alongside the ever-encroaching Norway spruce trees Kathy and I planted in 1973 and the now larger shade tree areas in the garden we planted in the 1990's. We will still have around 1600 daylilies in the display garden with a few thousand seedlings in seedling beds. This will keep Grace Gardens as one of the largest flower gardens in upstate NY.

It is important to keep adding "newer" plants to the garden to hold visitor interest in returning every year. So with that in mind, every year we obtain newer daylilies from auctions and other sources.

Daylily people are special. And I for one, am happy to have so many special friends. It was quoted not so long ago, that it isn't about flowers, daylilies are about making and keeping friends. Grace Gardens experiences prove this over and over again. Yes, it is hard work to keep the garden going but the friendship rewards are legendary.

There will be no open house in 2026 nor in future years beyond. If our existing visitors continue to come during bloom season, we will be able to maintain the garden. There are costs associated with garden maintenence. Typically, our peak bloom falls right around the third week in July. It is better to be on the late side of that date as most of our own daylily creations are on the later side, by design. Kathy and I both focused on hybridizing later daylilies to extend the bloom season.

So, as 2026 rolls ahead our hope and prayers are that you and yours will fair well into 2026 and that health and prosperity will hold you high. We will never forget you and know you will do the same.

See you in the garden.

Tom