Daylily

Many people consider daylilies to be the perfect perennial. Daylilies, Latin name Hemerocalis, are native to Asia. Originally, daylilies were only available in yellow, orange, and dull red. Ever since hybridization of the daylilies began to take off in the 1930s, plant breeders have been creating daylilies in colors that do not exist in their wild form.

Because of their extensive hybridization, it is not simple to physically characterize a daylily. Daylilies flower in various colors depending on variety from a wild yellow to a hybridized purple, and sometimes daylilies have more than one color on their flowers. However, all daylilies have long, grass-like leaves and leafless stalks that bear the flowers.

Since daylilies are considered a perfect perennial, they survive in a variety of conditions. They are drought-resistant when needed. Daylilies are mostly full-sun plants. They can tolerate partial shade, but they require at least six hours of sunlight per day in order to thrive. Daylilies do best in well-drained soils, but they can be planted in raised beds if soil drainage is poor.

Daylilies can be used in most landscape conditions. They typically won’t do well under or near trees because of the competition for water. However, it has been shown that they will do well under pine trees.

Because of the daylily’s diversity in color and size as well as its adaptability, daylilies can be found in many locations throughout Reiman Gardens. There are significant groupings in the South Field as well as the East Entry Garden that showcase a variety of cultivars.