Thomas
Epting Hughes was born in Comanche County, Texas, September 26, 1888, the son of
Edward Jasper Hughes and Sarah Louvena (Mayes) Hughes. On October 13, 1908, he
married Mamie Jane Dawkins.Thomas
Epting Hughes was born in Comanche County, Texas, September 26, 1888, the son of
Edward Jasper Hughes and Sarah Louvena (Mayes) Hughes. On October 13, 1908, he
married Mamie Jane Dawkins.
For more than twenty-five years daylily growers and daylily lovers trekked to Hughes Garden in Mansfield, Texas, to see daylilies, and to enjoy the friendship and hospitality of Daddy Tom Hughes and his lovely wife Mamie (who died in 1974). We loved him personally, the warmth of his friendship, his sharp wit, his keen eye and ability in hybridizing, and his appreciation of beauty in any and all forms.
His horticultural background was varied. He was a hybridizer of note in Iris before his interest gradually centered in daylilies. It is difficult to list a few of his introductions for fear of leaving out some of the best. Our favorites include Hemerocallis 'Annie Golightly', H. 'Apple Tart', 'Daddy Tom', 'Duchess Of Dallas', 'Gay Genell', 'Gold Thimble', 'Golden Linda', 'Kirksey', 'Little Dandy', 'Melanie Dawn', 'Pat Hudson' (President's Cup Winner, 1977), 'Tom Jack', and 'Yellow Ripples'.
Through the years he had won thirty-four Junior Citations, six Honorable Mentions, and one Award of Merit.
Hughes Garden was a tour garden for the 1965 National Convention. It has been the focal point of many Regionals.
Daddy Tom was active in his garden until past his ninetieth birthday. We are grateful in Region 6 that Daddy Tom had a partner and collaborator in his son, Tom Jack Hughes.
Webmaster: Ray
Houston
Revised: 01/21/2024
Menu by Milonic Solutions