The week after mom and I visited Dhabi's Daylilies in Gilsum, NH, we headed back to Alstead, NH to visit Florediem Flowers Gardens. http://www.florediem.com/Florediem/Home.html
Yet another treat was in store for us... their beautiful homestead was enough to look at, but when we drove in to the field past the barn... heaven on earth awaited! I learned of Florediem's when I read about them on my blog friend Christine's blog, please visit her here, http://www.nhgarden.com/notes/?p=158 As you will see, she did a lovely write-up on Florediem Flower Gardens and included such lovely photographs! And she DID warn all readers that the (daylily) bug would bite!
I think we visited just past peak blooming time, as you will see in Christine's photographs that she visited at peak. But we would not have guessed it, because everywhere one looked, all you could see were blooms everywhere! It was really overwhelming, as not only were there daylilies for sale, but also a variety of perennials such as hosta, yarrow (had to have one!), beebalm. snowball hydrangea... oh my gosh, I just can't remember everything else. I wish I had taken notes... I have such a pea-sized brain.
The atmosphere was wonderful: everything was well-cared for and well-tended, clearly labeled,
easy to find with an easy-to-follow handout sheet, there were many comfortable chairs and tables to sit at so you could take everything in under shade, and our hostess was so helpful, knowledgeable and friendly! I was taken by some lovely poppies that were blooming, and I was gifted with some seedpodswhich I planted when I got back home! (Along with my daylilies, and yarrow, and another plant I purchased that I cannot remember the name of(pea-brain) but will ask when I return this next week!
The day was overcast and misting, so my pictures do not do justice to the beauty that surrounded us. So many daylilies, so many different colors and species... how do you even choose? I had just dug up two new perennial beds, so I was determined to limit my purchases to a select few. However, I spent all day yesterday and most all day today preparing a digging a few rows that I hope to one day soon fill with daylilies. And Christine of New Hampshire Gardens just reminded me earlier that their sale is next week, so..........
I leave you with a quick peek of my newest plot of broken ground above; sod removed as of yesterday and most of the rocks and larger stones picked out and the soil (hardpan!) dug deeply and turned over as of today. Now to get the barn cleaned out and the compost added to these four rows. Then... I hope to return to Florediem Flower Gardens and start filling these rows!
And note I made sure to leave plenty of room for expansion... HA!
I am a sucker for old books, so I just had to bring these home. Most are from the late 1800's, although one is dated 1916. I cannot wait for winter to read them! And most were only $1.00 apiece... thank goodness there are no shopping carts at flea markets and that you have to carry all things back to your car! And the two little plates are just the thing for holding goodies at teatime... another find at 50 cents. The enamel bucket is perfect for picking raspberries, and then beautiful enamel cup will hang out by the faucet in the back garden to hold a cool drink from the well. One woman's trash becomes anothers's treasures! Well, on we headed to Keene, which was pretty downtown, but I'm not much of a shopper, so we turned back onto the Monadnock Highway and headed towards Gilsum via Surry Road, turning right at Shaw's Corners, which was recommended byCindy of Dhabi's Daylilies. The road meandered along the Ashuelot River... it made for a very pretty ride and would be quite a scenic trip come autumn! We arrived at Dhabi's about one o'clock, and it was quite warm out. 
There are so many pretty varieties of daylilies here. My camera was being a bit naughty, so I apologize for the photographs, which do not serve justice to the pretty setting and all the lovely blooms!
Not only do they carry daylilies, but also a variety of perennials and herbs. I came home with some beautiful daylilies, a lovely Anise Hyssop and a Mint that was very intriguing, and a gift of a Clary Sage! (Thank you again, Cindy!)
You can see this massive planting of hosta, and her Echinacea is gorgeous!
Just beautiful... both white and purple varieties! Well, after several walks around the rows, I made my selections, and mom and I took a seat as our generous hostess went to work and dug up the chosen plants. (Yes, I DID feel guilty not helping!)