Probably varies from zone to zone, but here I am satisfied to get about 10, but consider a high bud count to be closer to 20. I have a couple of seedlings that have produced bud counts close to 30, the flowers are ok, but I keep the plants because they flower so well. Last fall I bought Caribbean Whipped Cream, rarely does a first year plant do this well, but it has bud counts 22 & 24, and HUGE flowers, about 7" rather than the 5 1/2" stats say. I should add, I rarely fertilize, or water unless it is really dry. I have several plants that only have 6 - 7 blooms per scape, and want to ditch all of those.

For me, anything over 20 is a high bud count. I have very few (less than seven) that ever get more than 30, and that's only in years with loads of heavy Spring rain.

I agree with everyone above. I have weeded out my daylilies until I only have a few under 10, and I like them so much they are keepers.

There are years without heavy spring rain?

Debra, where are you in Tennessee?

Thanks, everyone, for your input. Much appreciated.

BTW, it is 13 degrees C and raining today.

Edward - I'm in Nashville. Last year we got almost no rain in April and May. This year we got rain, but it tended to repeated rounds of light rain and we were below the average rainfall for both months.

Debra

I got Yellow Monkey a couple of years ago because of your photos, Edward. It did well last year, but has really been showing off this year.

I'm not that far from Debra, but this year we didn't get much rain in the spring. Been making up for it this month though. We've been behind the average in rainfall, but we are up now. I know lots of people are talking about short scapes this year, but it seems like I am experiencing the opposite. Plants that have always been shorter are sending up taller scapes this year, & I have some plants that are really showing nice branching & bud count. They are plants that are supposed to get good bud counts & branching, but I haven't seen that til now.

I am always on the hunt for bud builders ......plants that continue to add buds as they grow . I have a few of them and they really do add something to the gardens as they are in bloom for so long Plants like Genesta , PeeWee's Big Adventure , Pumpkin Time etc.

March we got about 8 inches (195.57mm) of rain which jump-started everything. April was dry and then May was back to normal 4 inches. So far I have only seen scapes on two daylilies. Bloom should start in about two weeks. I tend to get high bud counts on smaller flowers and spider/unusual forms. Ah Youth and Elegant Candy are usually above 25 buds.

Hi Edward , any chance you could message me please.