Despite the hardships brought on by the coronavirus in 2020 and 2021, the Chocorua Lake Conservancy (CLC) initiated and saw the completion of many projects and goals. Among the highlights was the completion and dedication of the Chocorua Lake Basin View Lot visitor viewing area on Route 16 above the lake in Chocorua. This pullout, with its magnificent stone wall, offers a quintessential view of Chocorua Lake and Mount Chocorua. Landscaping of this site, however, is still to be completed. In particular, plantings are needed along the north and west bases of the stone wall to bring color to the location.
The CLC Lake and Property Management committee is proposing the hardy and drought-tolerant daylilies (hemerocallis) as the perfect plant for this site. The Greek word “hemerocallis” means “beautiful for one day,” a nod to the brief life of each colorful bloom. But the blooms are prolific and a mix of varieties will allow for ongoing blossoming from early summer through autumn.
Please join us at the Chocorua Lake Basin View Lot on Wednesday, May 18 and/or Thursday, May 19, from 9-11:30AM on both days, to prepare the area along the stone wall for planting, distribute loam, and plant daylilies. Please bring work gloves, pointed shovels, and trowels, as well as water and a snack, if you like. If you’re able to help out on one or both of these days, please email events@chocorualake.org with your name and phone number—we want to be able to reach you if plans change or the weather changes plans!
The next question is, where will we get these plants? Well, wouldn't it be grand if we invited “one and all” to dig up a small clump of their favorite daylily patch for planting at the overlook—a community garden of color for this already exceptionally beautiful place. If you have daylily beds, and are willing, please consider digging up and donating a clump of your favorite daylilies for this community garden.
Please let us know in advance if you are able to donate a clump of daylilies by emailing events@chocorualake.org. Please place daylilies in a bag or box, and label them with your name, location, and, if known, the variety/color. You can drop off your daylilies at the Basin View Lot or the CLC office in Chocorua Village between Monday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 18. Please email lflaccus@chocorualake.org to let her know when and where you’ll be dropping off, or if you need to bring daylilies by before these dates. And if you’re able, come help us plant and water our new garden and celebrate the beauty of this spot!
Banner image: Daylilies. Photo: Patricia Lavigne on Unsplash.