Query about color

last year

I have had 'Indian Giver' for many years -- but it has never, ever produced the lovely purple color as shown in catalogs and by several of you on this forum. WHY??

My soil is good old New England regular stuff, towards the acid part of Ph. Is there something I could add for this daylily to become more purple? It has always been an insipid light-ish lavender. I suppose the wrong variety might have been sent all those years ago. It is a candidate for shovel pruning this year if it can't be "fixed"! Too many gorgeous ones out there to keep letting this one disappoint me...

Featured Answer

porkchop_z5b_MI

last year

I am astounded this plant hasn't been renamed. Indian Giver = OUCH! Talk about offensive....it makes me cringe just reading it. (yea, yea I know what you're thinking...we ALL used that term as kids.... To which I say we now know better and therefore should do better).

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Comments (13)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
Nothing you can do to the soil will affect coloring........although the amount of sun it receives could be a factor.
roxanna thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
nicole
last year
Try giving it a dose of Epsom salts. Epsom salts have been know to enhance flower color.

quote:

Yes, Epsom salts can help enhance flower color, primarily by providing magnesium, a key nutrient for chlorophyll production and overall plant health. Magnesium is essential for healthy green leaves and vibrant flower colors.
roxanna thanked nicole
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Marie Tulin Boston burbs z 6a
last year
Roxanna

this is NOT on topic. i wanted to respond to your comment to me in an early May thread. however i couldnt find the thread again. I responded a couple of places but have no idea if you saw my texts.

my notifications should be on but who knows about non forum functions of Houzz. ?

id love to see your garden and not give advice because who am i to advise anyone on their garden. ? mines a mess.
roxanna thanked Marie Tulin Boston burbs z 6a
Sigrid
last year
It's not uncommon for a popular plant to vary over time as it gets reproduced by many different nurseries. You might have just got a bum bulb at the beginning.
roxanna thanked Sigrid
roxanna
Original Author
last year
Sigrid -- that is what I think may have happened... Maybe I should but another 'Indian Giver' from a different source and see if I am happier with it!
diggerdee zone 6 CT
last year
roxanna I would try another (says the gardener who has wanted one forever and still doesn't have one lol!!). It's just too beautiful a daylily to settle for an inferior one!

:)

Dee
roxanna thanked diggerdee zone 6 CT
roxanna
Original Author
last year
Marie Tulin -- I just sent you a message thru this forum!
roxanna
Original Author
last year
Back on topic -- what daylily providers are recommended for online shopping? Thanks for advice!
peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
last year
last modified: last year
I am very surprised that none of the daylily afficionados have responded. There is a gal there that has the richest purple blooms of anyone. I can't recall her name or where she is from but I hope someone sees this and responds.
roxanna thanked peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
organic_kitten
last year
I had one at the beginning of my daylily adventure, at least 17 years ago. I kept it for almost ten years and it never looked he way it did in other people's garden. I finally gave it to a friend who lives maybe 35 minutes from me and it looks like it is supposed to look in her garden. annoying, but there are many other that are just as pretty and I am very happy with my garden now. Sorry, but I don't think it is ever going to please you.

kay
roxanna thanked organic_kitten
roxanna
Original Author
last year
peren.all -- I'll bet the person you are thinking of is celeste in NH. If I recall correctly, she has many gorgeous purple daylilies. I am so envious!!! I did wonder at the soil she has, if that made the difference...
peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
last year
Yes Roxanna exactly! Now that you say it of course but I just could not come up with name or place.
roxanna thanked peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada