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This and That from AHS to Region 2 The Region 2 Symposium 2005John Shooter: Blue PetuniasBy Karen Ciula, Gahanna, OhioThe Shooter family of Marietta, North Carolina have beenworking with daylilies for 28 years. Currently, MariettaGardens offers daylilies in an extensive array of shapes, forms, andcolors.On first thought John Shooter’s presentation theme of “BluePetunias” seems so incongruous. What could a blue petunia possiblyhave in common with a daylily?First of all, think ruffles. John’s 2005 BUBBLE YUMMIN’ MAMA(MISS DOROTHY X Tet NEAL BARRY) sports supreme rufflingand a gold-crème edging. Then there is the color—hot sizzlingpink. But not blue. Another spectacular introduction JELLYMAKER (GRANDPA MUNSTER X Tet SILOAM RALPH HENRY)has creamy-peach, flat huge petals and sepals with a raspberryvioleteyezone. Its eye-catcher is a wide ruffled triple edge of raspberry-violet,crème, and gold. John obviously enjoys his tonguein-cheekputdowns of tetraploid fanciers although these two beautiesare themselves tetraploids.The finest legacy of all is daughter Elizabeth O. Shooter, whosework with diploids concentrates on spiders, variants, and unusualforms. In searching for the blue petunia patterns, visualize thosehybrids with big white central star shapes. STARGATE PORTAL(Elizabeth O. Shooter 2001) began that exploration, leading intoSNAKE IN THE GRASS BOO (Elizabeth O. Shooter 2003), a 7"huckleberry black purple with white stripes variant. In 2006Elizabeth’s STARGATE VENTURE and STARGATE VOYAGER willcontinue to refine the look of white star-shaped eyes surroundedby dark blue-purple bands and frilly edges.John Shooter’s pre-registered BLUE PETUNIA LACE (02-J3489D)shows how far the Shooters have come in diploid refinement. Giventen more years, it’s John’s goal in life to get all the chicken fatedges, substance, size, and color of tetraploids into his diploids.“Ooh, have mercy!”Marietta Gardens will host an open house Sunday, May 29, 2005when the flowers are at their peak bloom. “It also offers a brother/sister chili-making competition, one inside, one outside, and guesswhat—both chilies are the same! Ya’ll come.”Right: Elizabeth Shooter’s 2003SNAKE IN THE GRASS BOOTo see these web-page images of2005 introductions and previousregistrations, visit the MariettaGardens web pages:http:www.mariettagardens.comJELLY MAKERBUBBLE YUMMIN’ MAMAMARIETTA MOMENTO (John Shooter 2002) is a legacy diploidgiving its kids similar fringed and lacy edges. Its parentage continuesin the 2005 additions to John’s diploid “Mapping” series.MAPPING MAINE, MAPPING MISSISSIPPI, and MAPPING OR-EGON all feature deep yellow or rose veining like highways andforks on a road map.Cynthia Blanchard,Ken Blanchard,Dave Winter, OhioDaylily SocietymembersImages: Gisela,who must takeDigital Photography101 again!It does not get betterthan this:Richard Norris ofAshwood Gardens(Ohio), JohnShooter of MariettaGardens (NorthCarolina), ChrisRogers of LadybugDaylilies (Florida)talking hybridizing!A future introduction and preregisteredBLUE PETUNIA LACE(02-J3489D)Faye Shooter’sRINGS OF DESIREJohn says that “Whenever I see a flower or a seedling I reallylike, I say “Ooh, have mercy!’” Faye O. Shooter’s 2005 tetraploidintroductions RAISIN AND RUM, RINGS OF DESIRE, and WINGSOF DESIRE must have brought out this response. Most importantly,Faye keeps Marietta Gardens spirited and organized.1993 Region 2 Symposium slideorganizer Bill Sevetson and2003-2004 RVP Ed MyersRegion 2 RPD John Sheehan andJulia Baxter from McMurry, PAAHS Region 2/Great Lakes NewsletterSpring-Summer 2005 Page 27