 Woodhenge Gardens is located between the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and the historic Piedmont of Virginia, including the homes of former Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. There is much Colonial Period and Civil War history in the surrounding area. North Garden is near Charlottesville, and the University of Virginia. In the picture, Jim Murphy and Margo Reed are standing on a centuries-old pole ferry that crosses the James River near Scottsville, VA.
Both Jim and Margo had been daylily growers and hybridizers in Maryland and Virginia for some time, and in 2001 decided to join forces and purchase land for a serious daylily garden. Finding about 10 beautiful acres in the Ragged Mountains, they set about creating a magical place for the development of new daylilies. With five grown children and a number of cats, the new homestead grew. A border collie, Davey, was added and became the perfect companion. About 2.5 acres have been protected by a 10 foot deer fence, made by sinking tall cedar poles in the ground (hence the name Woodhenge).
Both Jim and Margo are exhibition judges and garden judges, and enjoy entering shows and visiting other gardens. The lessons learned in the judges training has helped to focus hybridizing goals toward excellent plant habits, and the backwoods high-elevation location has helped develop hardiness. (Close to the mountains, we have variable weather and zone 6b temperatures. Lots of frosts and freeze-thaw swings test our daylilies, as well as very hot summers.) Woodhenge goals would be toward spider, unusual form, and exotic form daylilies, on tall scapes and strong plants. There has also been a major focus on extending the bloom season by breeding for early, late, re-blooming, and bud building daylilies.
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