My name is John Benoot and I was born 1964 in Gent, Belgium, Europe. Ever since my childhood I've been devoted to plants. Granny loved the garden just as much as I do, and guess I must have taken after her.

It was there, in Gent, where I discovered a grass looking plant, pulling up scapes with orange brownish colored blooms! Later when growing older I collected the first available daylilies in Europe. My favorites at that time, to begin with, were 'Catherine Woodberry', 'American Revolution' and 'Gentle Sheperd' and many others followed.

In between I started to collect mostly newer daylilies and traveled the past few years to the USA visiting Southern Gardens. On our visits I discovered the most superb parents to work with. Parentage is a very important and interesting part when it comes to hybridizing. Having a certain knowledge about parentage gives you a hint of what might come. Because of that, plants I've added in recent years have been given considerable thought. For now my collection is up to 600+ cultivars.

From the beginning, I must confess that I have always had a weakness for perennials. I just loved all those lovely flowers and dreamed of owning a nice piece of land and building a house with a fine landscaped garden.

It all started when this old abandoned small farm was for sale. We became friends with our nearest neighbours. And, shortly after that they asked us to join them to pay a visit to a Garden which was known for its "English Borders". The minute my foot was set in that garden a spell fell over me. The house, the colours, the landscaping .... I think I was in love. Returning back home, I was determined to turn that piece of land into a little paradise. So I did! It needed blood, sweat and tears to become what it is now. Sometimes in June when the garden is at its peak of bloom and beauty it can bring a man to tears.....tears of happiness.

Thank you for visiting. Your comments are welcome at john.benoot@telenet.be .
You are also invited to see my webpage.