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Early Blooming Daylilies

HEMEROCALLIS SPECIES

The Hemerocallis species are of interest to people who wish to know more about the history and development of the daylily. Many species have unique characteristics and an understated natural beauty that lends itself to centerpiece plantings, cottage gardens and more .For further information, a good source is A.B. Stout's book, Daylilies, 1934, 1986, J.M Dent & Sons, London.

DID YOU KNOW..?
Hemerocallis (hem-er-o-kal-lis), the botanical name for daylily means in Greek ''beautiful for a day'. Each flower only opens for one day. After it is spent, it is succeeded by the next day's blossom. Established clumps bloom vigorously for weeks and weeks.

The daylily is a monocot related to Orchids, Hostas and even Grasses. Daylilies are in the Lily family (liliaceae) and as such are related to true lilies (Lilium). and are in the genus Hemerocallis . Daylily species were originally found in Manchuria, Mongolia, Northern India as well as throughout China, Japan and Korea. In their natural habitat daylilies are found in swamps, seashore meadows, forests edges and on mountains up to 10,000 feet.

HEMEROCALLIS SPECIES

In the 1920's Dr. A.B. Stout began to work with daylilies, hybridizing and identifying the species. Since then daylilies have become nearly as popular as roses. They are collected, grown and hybridized by people around the world.
It is amazing to think that from approximately 20 species of daylilies over 45,000 varieties of daylily hybrids have been developed. While the colors of most species are orange, yellow or rarely pinkish there are now daylily hybrids in shades of red, purple, near white and more!

With so many daylily varieties to choose from why would one want to grow daylily species?
Besides the historical interest of growing a species there are many traits that makes a species desirable. First in foremost in our opinion is the simple natural lines and form that species exhibit. The trumpet or simple star shapes of the blooms, the graceful narrow foliage and the loose growth habit of many of the species is delightful.
Secondly as plants that have evolved over millions of years they contain potential adaptability that may not be present in some of the more modern cultivars. Finally from a breeding standpoint the species may contain genetic material that could produce new yet undiscovered traits.

Go to Chris Darrow's blog on species daylilies to find out more. Daylily (Hemerocallis) Species and More

Hemerocallis minor
One of the earliest daylilies to bloom. This yellow daylily has scapes only 10-12 long, 4' trumpet shaped blooms and low grass-like foliage. Hem minor seems to have a relatively short bloom time as well lasting only about 2-3 weeks. Hemerocallis dumortieri:
Usually the next earliest daylily to bloom, Hem dumortieri produces a gold yellow bloom with reddish backing to the sepals. In fact the buds and upper part of the scapes are red adding to the showiness even before it blooms. Hem. dumortieri is also very fragrant and as such is one of the few daylilies that you can smell from a distance!

Hemerocallis middendorfii
This daylily seems to be quite variable at least the plants we have exhibit a range of color. Hem middendorfii is also very early blooming around the same time as Hem dumortieri. Hem middendorfii
from G Darrow is a gold yellow

Hem middendorfii
commercial source is a gold Hem middendorfii Hem. Middendorfii "Japan Hybrid"
is a gold yellow also but has a much larger bloom than the others. Additionally Hem. Middendorfii "Japan Hybrid" has a green bract form (no pigment in the scape) and a red Bract form with some red coloration in the bract and scape tip. All three variants exhibit the short squat bract characteristic of H. middendorfi. Originally from Dr. Darrow this hybrid is of unknown origin.

Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus
the so-called Lemon Lily this daylily species is also quite early although consistently blooming after Hemerocallis dumortieri and Hemerocallis middendorfii. The color is a clear lemon yellow and a distinct fragrance. This daylily has a somewhat spreading habit but is a slow grower here in Vermont. One of the first daylilies introduced into the U. S., it is sometimes found near old abandoned cellar holes a testament to daylily's longevity. Hemerocallis hakuensis
There is some confusion in our mind regarding this daylily. At lest one source states that Hemerocallis hakuensis has only 8 buds per scape but our Hemerocallis hakuensis has a very high bud count up to 30 buds per scape. A light orange July bloomer Hemerocallis hakuensis has 4" trumpet shaped blooms.

Hemerocallis fulva
This daylily is the best known of all the species. Commonly known as the Tiger Lily, Ditch Lily or Orange Roadside Lily. Hemerocallis fulva is another species introduced into the U.S. centuries ago. Its spreading habit produces large stands and is considered a weed to some. Growing up to 4 feet tall the 5-inch blooms begin in Early July here in Vermont. Hemerocallis fulva Kwanso
is a double form of Hemerocallis fulva. Notice the extra petaloids in the center of the flower.

Hemerocallis citrina
a nocturnal bloomer Hemerocallis citrina opens in the afternoon and blooms through the night. Also producing a fragrance, Hemerocallis citrina has 5-inch very tight trumpet like blooms. Hemerocallis citrina vespertina
This species variant is very unusual. Extremely tall, up to 5 and half feet it is also heavily branched. This Hemerocallis begins in late July here in Vermont. The flowers are only 4 inches across but are a pleasing lemon yellow.

Hemerocallis multiflora
We're still sorting this one out. We have a plant that is extremely late blooming from August into September. Additionally it produces up to 75 2-3 inch blooms on heavily branched scapes. We were sure this was Hemerocallis multiflora but was told otherwise.

Contact Information:
Olallie Daylily Gardens
129 Augur Hole Road
South Newfane, Vermont 05351
Driving directions
Telephone: (802)-348 6614
E-mail:info@daylilygarden.com

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