Garden 2 – Kathy’s DayliliesBruce and Kathy Fowler’s Garden
Nestled on five acres in Colquitt County, Bruce and Kathy garden is a true labor of love. Their journey together began 16 years ago, transforming former cotton fields, cleared tree lines, and weed-filled areas into a flourishing oasis. Today, they cultivate over 1,500 registered cultivars and more than 500 selected seedlings. Initially, they started with 4,000 seedlings, later reducing the number to 3,000, and now carefully limit them to 1,000 due to space constraints. As of February 2025, they have introduced 91 unique daylily varieties. Their first-ever daylily introduction was aptly named Talquin’s First Lady, and many of their creations carry the Talquin prefix— a tribute to a beloved lake where they once fished before daylilies captured their hearts.
A Garden of Beauty and Serenity: The original entrance to the garden has since been converted into a private drive lined with raised beds of various shapes and sizes. The front beds serve as the official ADS Display Garden, welcoming visitors with an array of vibrant blooms. A newly designed greeting and sitting area provides a warm and inviting space for guests. The main entrance features a gated area where tour buses will enter and park during events.
Beyond daylilies, the garden is a diverse and colorful haven of companion plants. Visitors will find hydrangeas, angel trumpets, butterfly bushes, ferns, knockout roses, amaryllis, coneflowers, irises, and a variety of shrubs in different hues. The landscape is further enhanced by Japanese maples, crepe myrtles, and other ornamental trees.
Scattered throughout the garden are delightful surprises, including wind chimes, spinners, garden art, and statues—each carefully placed to represent Kathy’s daughters and their interests, such as reading and their love for cats. Numerous cozy sitting areas invite guests to relax and take in the sights and sounds of nature. Birds such as bluebirds, martins, cardinals, quail, and doves frequent the space, while hummingbirds and bees bring life to the blooms. Small water features add a tranquil ambiance, offering a soothing retreat for the soul. The garden also boasts vibrant, hand-picked pots strategically placed to catch the eye and brighten the landscape.
A Passion for Hybridizing: Towards the back of the garden lies a dedicated hybridizing area, where Bruce and Kathy focus on developing new daylily varieties. This section is strictly for plants selected for hybridization, allowing them to create unique and stunning flowers. Their passion extends beyond their own work— they love mentoring young enthusiasts in the art of hybridizing.
Recently, Kathy had the joy of teaching her daughter, Kaitlyn Smith, about the business and her deep love for hybridizing. Bruce’s niece, Grayson Pender, also spent a summer learning the craft and has already introduced two new flowers. Another promising young hybridizer, Cody Beasley, a member of the Valdosta Club, has also joined in exploring the process. Bruce and Kathy are always eager to share their knowledge and passion, welcoming any young person interested in learning the art of hybridization.
Welcoming You to Their Oasis: Bruce and Kathy Fowler look forward to welcoming visitors to their breathtaking garden oasis during the 2026 National Convention. Whether you’re a seasoned daylily enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, their garden promises a memorable experience filled with inspiration, learning, and the simple joy of being surrounded by flowers and wildlife
Nestled on five acres in Colquitt County, Bruce and Kathy garden is a true labor of love. Their journey together began 16 years ago, transforming former cotton fields, cleared tree lines, and weed-filled areas into a flourishing oasis. Today, they cultivate over 1,500 registered cultivars and more than 500 selected seedlings. Initially, they started with 4,000 seedlings, later reducing the number to 3,000, and now carefully limit them to 1,000 due to space constraints. As of February 2025, they have introduced 91 unique daylily varieties. Their first-ever daylily introduction was aptly named Talquin’s First Lady, and many of their creations carry the Talquin prefix— a tribute to a beloved lake where they once fished before daylilies captured their hearts.
A Garden of Beauty and Serenity: The original entrance to the garden has since been converted into a private drive lined with raised beds of various shapes and sizes. The front beds serve as the official ADS Display Garden, welcoming visitors with an array of vibrant blooms. A newly designed greeting and sitting area provides a warm and inviting space for guests. The main entrance features a gated area where tour buses will enter and park during events.
Beyond daylilies, the garden is a diverse and colorful haven of companion plants. Visitors will find hydrangeas, angel trumpets, butterfly bushes, ferns, knockout roses, amaryllis, coneflowers, irises, and a variety of shrubs in different hues. The landscape is further enhanced by Japanese maples, crepe myrtles, and other ornamental trees.
Scattered throughout the garden are delightful surprises, including wind chimes, spinners, garden art, and statues—each carefully placed to represent Kathy’s daughters and their interests, such as reading and their love for cats. Numerous cozy sitting areas invite guests to relax and take in the sights and sounds of nature. Birds such as bluebirds, martins, cardinals, quail, and doves frequent the space, while hummingbirds and bees bring life to the blooms. Small water features add a tranquil ambiance, offering a soothing retreat for the soul. The garden also boasts vibrant, hand-picked pots strategically placed to catch the eye and brighten the landscape.
A Passion for Hybridizing: Towards the back of the garden lies a dedicated hybridizing area, where Bruce and Kathy focus on developing new daylily varieties. This section is strictly for plants selected for hybridization, allowing them to create unique and stunning flowers. Their passion extends beyond their own work— they love mentoring young enthusiasts in the art of hybridizing.
Recently, Kathy had the joy of teaching her daughter, Kaitlyn Smith, about the business and her deep love for hybridizing. Bruce’s niece, Grayson Pender, also spent a summer learning the craft and has already introduced two new flowers. Another promising young hybridizer, Cody Beasley, a member of the Valdosta Club, has also joined in exploring the process. Bruce and Kathy are always eager to share their knowledge and passion, welcoming any young person interested in learning the art of hybridization.
Welcoming You to Their Oasis: Bruce and Kathy Fowler look forward to welcoming visitors to their breathtaking garden oasis during the 2026 National Convention. Whether you’re a seasoned daylily enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, their garden promises a memorable experience filled with inspiration, learning, and the simple joy of being surrounded by flowers and wildlife