Hillsdale Lily Garden~

A bright, sunny & warm start to the week!  Our Glenwood Garden Club had scheduled a field trip to the Hillsdale Lily Garden.  We started out with ten members confirmed to go, but only four actually arrived at the farm.  Some had visited before - but with new varieties appearing on the market each year - there's always something new to see!

Todd explaining the fine points of daylilies~

Though the fields weren't yet in bloom, Todd had forced several of the newest varieties into early blooms, so we could see the amazing colors. The history of the daylily is as colorful as the flower.  Check out the American Daylily Society.

I didn't get the name of this stunner!

Lu explained how the flowers are grown, divided into different sections. Several varieties were already showing buds. I look forward to going back in a few weeks to see all the colors!

Acres of Daylilies~

Even though it was a very warm morning, there was ample shade provided by huge Walnut trees. Plenty of seating & notebooks full of information on the plants available, including price, size, bloom time etc.

Names of the varieties are at the beginning of each section~

There were several varieties that sounded interesting, but it was the photos, that drew my attention. I'd read about Going Bananas - a plant that is supposed bloom almost continuously. (But it's still a day lily!) The first were already opening in the field.

Going Banana's

The sale table was full of extra plants for $2.00! Who could walk away from that? I wanted at least one red & the Chicago Inferno was perfect. I bought three from the sale table.

Chicago Inferno

The plant below grabbed my attention from when we first saw the buggy full of blooming plants. I wanted a rebloomer - these get a blooms that last a day, but then more buds continue to open.

Sharky's Revenge

My last selection was the most extravagant - but the green color was so unique. Some lily's Todd explained, can take a year or two in a new location to gain their full color range.

Green Inferno

Lu & Todd started their daylily farm in 2015 & are just now realizing their dream of a busy, viable business. The Omaha World Herald ran an article on the farm.

Framed article on the farm~

I was disappointed at the turn-out... But with Covid-19 continuing to be at the forefront of the news, our Garden Club meetings have been few & far between. I'm sure we're not the only long-standing group to feel the effects.

I'm taking Butch back this weekend to purchase a herbicide Todd recommends to kill the reed canary grass. I have a patch of old fashioned daylily's at the corner of the marsh, overrun with the invasive. Clara noticed last year that at least one of them had a double bloom! I've been taking advantage of this patch to start others along the creek.

I spent the afternoon getting my purchases in the ground!  So looking forward to those blooms next summer!  Laura, Janice, Diane & I really appreciated Lu & Todd's hospitality. If you're in the area, a stop at this farm should be on your must-do list!
Further information at;  Hillsdale Lily Garden~

34th Annual Saint Cecilia Flower Festival~

As the Glenwood Garden Club's first event of the year, we all look forward to attending the late January, flower show.  It's our taste of spring!  It was a slightly overcast, bitter cold morning with a light dusting of snow overnight.  Seven of us met to carpool to Omaha.  I have the honor of being the clubs President this year - I feel a bit overwhelmed by the commitment - but have so many wonderful women to help me learn the ropes!

The kiss of the sun for pardon

The song of the birds for mirth

One is nearer God's heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on earth

- Dorothy Frances Gurney

Stunning display of Tulips~

This was my third visit & a trip I look forward to each year.  All along the sides of the nave - were breathtaking displays by local florists & artisans.  This year's theme; Gardens~

Autumn Colors~

The one below, almost looked like a decorated cake!

Roses & Carnations~

The Orchid Society did not disappoint, with some orchids that looked too beautiful to be real.

Gorgeous varieties of Orchids~

We took our time, the smell from all the flowers so sweet, to those of us in the middle of a somewhat harsh mid-west winter!

White Tulip~

The white tulip in the display above was totally perfect! I would love to try planting them, but am told that the best way is in pots. There are too many ground dwelling rodents that love to eat them!

Very spring like~

 The wide variety of flowers is just so impressive when you think of the effort it must take to get them to this destination.

My favorite display~

This display was so artfully done, with mirrors that reflected in the decorative lighting like water.

St. Cecilia's~

We were looking forward to the lunch catered by Wheatfields! A small group of musicians entertained in the lunch room. The chicken & dumpling soup was perfect on a cold day! Butch gave me directions to not leave without pecan rolls for Sunday breakfast!

By the time we walked back out into the cold, the sun was shining & it was a beautiful afternoon!

Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat!

It seems yet another circle has been completed.  The Home Place has now received Certification as a Wildlife Habitat with the National Wildlife Federation!  It's hard to believe it's been eighteen-years since we certified the Homestead Woods as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat.

Our new sign~

 The program - which began in 1973 - as of 2006 - had certified over 60,000 yards!  Things have changed over the years we've been members.  The sign now incorporates Ranger Rick & is more colorful.  The term Backyard is no longer part of the designation.   Otherwise, the goal is the same, homeowners working together to make their little corner of the world friendly toward wildlife.  To provide cover, food, water, places to raise young & use sustainable practices.

Habitat~

 Since we've seen a fox, woodchuck, several deer etc.  We know the corridor along Tinkle Branch Creek gets used by the local wildlife.  We put the sign out near the front - where it can be read when people walk by.  Hopefully questions will be asked & I'll be able to promote the program here.

Downstream, Tinkle Branch Creek

 We really didn't think the creek ever carried much of a flow, until after a large rain storm.  A few days later Butch saw where the water had almost crested the bank.  Our side is the lowest by several feet, as you can see in the photo above.

Upstream ~

 I've been told this will dry up mid-summer - we'll see.  I'd forgotten how much fun the first year on a new place can be.  Watching as the month's go by & what each season brings.

Late afternoon sun through the trees~

 After our storm on Friday - Saturday dawned clear & so clean!  The air was fresh - as though it had been re-charged by the storm!  We did have some light rain late in the day - but it was one of the coolest days we've had in weeks & one of the most beautiful of Spring.

Saturday evenings Rainbow~

As dusk fell, there was such a silky softness to the darkening sky.  The Lightning Bugs were Everywhere!  Even flying near us as we sat on the deck & how fun to see then up close as they glowed green!

Forest Spirit Face~

 Once it was completely dark, the stars were brilliant, with the Milky Way directly overhead.  Tomorrow, is the Garden Club's annual garden tour - where we visit some of the gardens of our members.  I'm looking forward to seeing what I know will be some totally stunning flowers & garden displays!

32nd Annual Cathedral Flower Festival~

Our Glenwood Garden Club, had planned a trip to attend this incredibly beautiful event at the Saint Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha.  The sky was blue, sun was yellow & air was fresh, if chilly when we arrived!  We found a parking spot & were some of the first to be welcomed inside!  Several young men were available to lend a helping hand or arm to some of the more elderly attendees.  (The Cathedral Arts Project mission - is to bring the arts to the heart of the city.") 

Entrance to Saint Cecilia Cathedral~

 Very well organized, all the halls around the sanctuary were lined with exhibits!  Many of the vestibules too - were decorated with an amazing assortment of floral arrangements!  This year's theme was A Shared Story - Nebraska at 150-years. 

"There are only two or three human stories, and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never happened before."  - Wilia Carher

 Each display had a informational board, explaining what the designs signified & what part of Nebraska's history was depicted.

Hanging from the ceiling!

 To be in such an amazing, historic place, so full of grace, with the choir singing & organ playing was almost dizzying in it's grandeur.

Such incredible mixing of perfect blooms~

 I took over 100 photos - just a few of the highlights here ~

One of the many informative signs~

 When Clara entered this room ahead of me, I heard her exclaim, but I certainly didn't expect to see a saddle!  Why not though!  Without horses, the ranchers would have had a much tougher job.

The depiction~

 It must take an army of volunteers to put these scenes together - the flowers were so fresh I just can't imagine the work it takes to grow them, have them bloom at the right time, deliver & arrange them all!

One of my very favorites :-)

 Without the cattlemen & ranchers, we'd all be wondering where the beef is :-) 

Impressive statistics~

 Many famous people were represented too...

The West!  I was surprised to see Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show!   Lookout Mountain, outside Golden, CO still claims to be his true resting place, but stories abound!

Bill would have been surprised!

 As the morning progressed - we worked our way around - Clara & I stopped many times to take photos.

One of the larger displays~

The Railroads - of course played a huge part in the growth of Omaha & our country.

Simply beautiful~

 Leaving the Cathedral, we entered the Msgr. Ernest Graham Building.  Here - we visited the Art Gallery & Gift Shop - where we purchased fresh cut flowers!  In the cafeteria, where large windows gave views of the surrounding neighborhood, we enjoyed a catered luncheon.  The hot chicken dumpling soup was perfect on a cold winter day!  If I mention the desserts...  yes...  We shared one of the huge, home made pecan rolls!

Looking at one end of the Church~

As we were driving in Omaha, with no traffic, I had to ask if we were in the center of town & we were.  Even with the new buildings & evident growth - it's still so easy to get just about anywhere.  Stop lights timed to turn green as you approach - no long waits & again I'm just shocked at how accessible things here are.   What an enjoyable day!