Daylily Varieties and Advanced Growing: Selection and Design

Master the diverse world of daylilies from classic cultivars to modern hybrids. Learn variety selection, hybridizer strategies, and design techniques for stunning daylily displays.

16 min de lecture

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Dernière mise à jour : mars 2026

Sarah Green

Horticulturist and garden expert with 15+ years of experience growing vegetables, herbs, and houseplants. Certified Master Gardener.

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Advanced Daylily Growing and Variety Selection

The world of Hemerocallis cultivars offers unparalleled diversity among perennials. With over 100,000 registered varieties and thousands more introduced annually, understanding daylily classification, breeding developments, and cultivation refinements enables gardeners to create exceptional displays.

Understanding Daylily Classification

American Daylily Society System

By Flower Size:

Class	Diameter
Miniature	Under 3"
Small-flowered	3-4.5"
Large-flowered	4.5-7"
Extra-large	Over 7"

By Scape Height:

Category	Height
Dwarf	Under 12"
Low	12-24"
Medium	24-36"
Tall	Over 36"

By Bloom Season:

Class	Timing
Extra-Early (EE)	Before peak season
Early (E)	Early in season
Early-Midseason (EM)	Early to mid
Midseason (M)	Peak season
Late-Midseason (LM)	Mid to late
Late (L)	Late season
Very Late (VL)	After peak

By Foliage Habit:

Type	Behavior
Dormant	Dies back, requires cold
Evergreen	Retains foliage
Semi-Evergreen	Variable behavior

Diploid vs. Tetraploid

Feature	Diploid (22 chr)	Tetraploid (44 chr)
Flower substance	Lighter	Heavier, more ruffled
Colors	Full range	Often more intense
Plant vigor	Variable	Often more vigorous
Breeding	Can only cross with dip	Can only cross with tet

Modern Flower Forms

Single Forms

Form	Description
Circular	Round outline
Triangular	Three-pointed appearance
Star	Narrow, pointed petals
Spider	Long, narrow petals (>4:1 ratio)
Unusual Form	Unique petal shapes

Double and Multiform

Form	Description
Double	Extra petals, peony-like
Polymerous	Multiple segments
Unusual Form Double	UF with extra petals

Special Features

Feature	Description
Ruffled	Wavy petal edges
Crimped	Pleated edges
Teeth	Serrated edges
Sculpted	3D petal manipulation

Pattern Classifications

Eye and Edge Patterns

Pattern	Description
Eyed	Darker zone around throat
Banded	Wide zone above throat
Edged	Different colored margin
Picotee	Thin edge of different color
Wire edge	Very thin contrasting line

Special Patterns

Pattern	Description
Watermark	Lighter area above throat
Halo	Ring of color
Appliqué throat	Contrasting throat
Patterned eye	Complex eye markings
Broken color	Streaks, splashes

Variety Selection Guide

By Climate Adaptation

Cold Climates (Zones 3-5):

Best Types	Notes
Dormant	Required for cold hardiness
Hardy cultivars	Tested performance
Earlier bloom	Complete season

Warm Climates (Zones 8-10):

Best Types	Notes
Evergreen	Natural adaptation
Heat tolerant	Don't fade
Reblooming	Extended season

By Use

Cut Flowers:

Variety Type	Notes
Large flowers	Impact
Strong scapes	Support
Many buds	Succession
Long-lasting	Individual flower hours

Mass Planting:

Variety Type	Notes
Vigorous	Fill in quickly
Disease resistant	Lower maintenance
Consistent	Uniform appearance
Affordable	Available in quantity

Collections:

Approach	Notes
New introductions	Cutting edge
Historical cultivars	Heritage value
Spider/UF varieties	Unique forms
Specific colors	Theme gardens

Award Winners

Stout Silver Medal (ADS highest award):

Year	Cultivar
1987	'Stella de Oro'
2004	'Strawberry Candy'
2010	'Wild Horses'
2018	'Orange Velvet'

Growing Techniques

Optimizing Bloom Quality

Factor	Approach
Fertilizing	10-10-10 or 5-10-10 in spring
Timing	When growth starts
Second application	After first bloom
Water	Consistent during bud set

Increasing Flower Count

Technique	Method
Proper nutrition	Balanced fertilizer
Adequate sun	6+ hours
Division	Every 3-5 years
Deadheading	Redirect energy

Extending Bloom Season

Strategy	Implementation
Variety selection	Mix early/mid/late
Rebloomers	Include in plantings
Succession planting	Different varieties

Division and Propagation

When to Divide

Indication	Details
Crowded center	Fewer flowers
Clump size	Too large for space
Rejuvenation	Every 3-5 years
Propagation	Increase stock

Division Method

Step	Instructions
1	Dig entire clump
2	Wash off soil
3	Identify individual fans
4	Separate with knife or hands
5	Trim roots to 6"
6	Trim foliage to 6"
7	Replant immediately

Proliferations

What	Small plantlets on scapes
When to harvest	After scape dies
Method	Detach with bit of scape
Rooting	Pot up, keep moist
First bloom	1-2 years

Design Strategies

Color Schemes

Warm Harmony:

Colors	Partners
Gold	Red, orange, coral
Orange	Yellow, rust, amber
Red	Orange, burgundy

Cool Combinations:

Colors	Partners
Pink	Lavender, purple
Purple	Pink, plum
Lavender	Violet, rose

Contrast:

Approach	Example
Complementary	Purple with gold
Bold	Red with yellow
Sophisticated	Near-white with purple

Bloom Sequence Planning

Season	Varieties
Early	'Stella de Oro', 'Happy Returns'
Early-Mid	'Hyperion', historical types
Midseason	Majority of varieties
Late	'Autumn Minaret', late bloomers
Rebloom	'Stella de Oro', Returns series

Height Layering

Position	Heights	Examples
Front	Under 18"	Miniatures, dwarf
Middle	18-30"	Most standard
Back	Over 30"	Tall varieties

Companion Plants

Season	Partners
Spring	Irises, peonies (as daylilies emerge)
Summer	Coneflowers, grasses, Russian sage
Fall	Asters, sedums, ornamental grasses

Regional Adaptations

Northern Gardens (Zones 3-5)

Factor	Approach
Variety choice	Dormant types only
Winter mulch	3-4 inches after freeze
Spring	Remove mulch gradually
Bloom timing	May bloom later

Southern Gardens (Zones 8-10)

Factor	Approach
Variety choice	Evergreen preferred
Heat	Afternoon shade beneficial
Watering	More in summer
Rust	Monitor, treat promptly

Humid Climates

Challenge	Solution
Rust	Choose resistant varieties
Crown rot	Excellent drainage
Humidity damage	Good air circulation

Container Culture

Container Requirements

Factor	Details
Size	12-14" minimum
Material	Any (ensure drainage)
Best varieties	Compact, reblooming

Container Care

Aspect	Approach
Watering	More frequent
Fertilizing	Light, regular
Repotting	Every 2-3 years
Winter	Protect in cold zones

Pest and Disease Prevention

Rust Resistance

Approach	Implementation
Variety selection	Choose resistant types
Sanitation	Remove affected foliage
Spacing	Good air flow
Fungicides	If needed, preventive

Thrips Management

Approach	Implementation
Monitoring	Check buds, new growth
Cultural	Remove garden debris
Treatment	Insecticidal soap, systemic

Collecting and Hybridizing

Building a Collection

Strategy	Approach
Focus	Choose specialization
Budget	Mix of prices
Sources	Reputable growers
Record keeping	Label everything

Introduction to Hybridizing

Step	Details
Goal setting	What you want to create
Parent selection	Traits to combine
Pollen collection	Morning, fresh flowers
Application	To stigma of selected pod parent
Seed harvest	When pod browns
Growing on	2-3 years to bloom

Understanding daylily diversity and proper cultural techniques enables gardeners to create stunning displays featuring these remarkably varied and rewarding perennials.

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