RICHMOND (AP) -- A new daylily honoring Virginia Tech is the first plant to be released by the Beautiful Gardens Introduction Program.
Virginia Tech graduate Linda Pinkham bred the daylily, called VT Spirit.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says the plant's bloom season is longer than average for daylilies. It's being sold by Brent and Becky's Bulbs in Gloucester and is available online or through the business' catalog.
Agriculture department marketing representative Rick Baker expects the VT Spirit to sell out early in its first year.
The Beautiful Gardens program's mission is to find, develop and introduce new ornamental plants to the public. It began in 2004.
A listing of Plants of Distinction - plants of real value in the Virginia garden but not well known – can be found on the Beautiful Gardens website. AP-WF-01-17-12 1750GMT
