What started as an invitation to come see the daylilies in peak bloom became one of the most meaningful milestones in our Dooley Gardens story.

Over four days in July, we welcomed more than 500 visitors into the gardens, shared the incredible diversity of modern daylilies, sent hundreds of plants home to new gardens, and raised more than $4,500 for cancer research through our Blooms for Breakthroughs fundraiser.

We’ve put together the story, photographs, memories, and impact of our very first Open Garden Days — and the beginning of a tradition we hope will continue for many years to come.