Despite the obvious similarity in names, lilies and daylilies, the description of the varieties of which is presented later in the article, have little in common, except for the external structure of the flower. These are large herbaceous plants with a powerful cord-like rhizome, arcuate leaves and large inflorescences.
In horticulture, the original natural species of daylily and numerous varieties are used that amaze with the beauty of flowers and the abundance of their shades. Flower growers value the plant mainly for its unpretentiousness, high stability and mobility in culture, the ability to quickly form lush bushes, as well as for a long flowering period.
The most popular two natural types: lemon yellow daylily, yellow. Varieties that now abound in the market are derived from them.
Yellow Daylily
This is a perennial herbaceous plant. In the wild, it is widely distributed in Asia (temperate zone) and southern Europe. In gardens, it is used as an ornamental, undemanding tosoil. This type of daylily forms a sprawling bush with linear curved leaves up to 0.75 m long. Tall inflorescences contain from 3 to 9 large flowers. The funnel-shaped corolla can be varied: from golden yellow to rich maroon. There are numerous highly decorative varieties of daylilies of this species.
Lemon yellow daylily
Perennial flowering plant, forming a powerful bush up to one meter high. In its natural environment, it grows along the banks of rivers, forest edges, on the slopes of meadows, reaches up to 2000 m above sea level. The plant is native to China, Japan and Korea.
Large peduncles exceed leaves in height, at the top they have an inflorescence of 2-5 large flowers. A distinctive feature of the species is a pronounced aroma. The flowers open in the afternoon or late afternoon, the top of the bud is purple-black, and the perianth, as you might guess from the name, is lemon yellow. In the homeland of growth, it is used not only as an ornamental plant, but also as a food plant (they eat flower buds as a side dish or in soups).
Classification
Varieties of daylilies are very numerous. Moreover, every year they continue to be replenished with new hybrids with improved characteristics. It is impossible to present them all within the framework of one article. However, when choosing a daylily for your site, each grower should pay attention to several criteria that will help you navigate this diversity. It is by them that I often classify varieties.
- Peduncle height: low (less than 30 cm), medium (30-60 cm), semi-high (60-90 cm) and very high (from 90 cm).
- Vegetation type: evergreen, semi-evergreen and dormant. The latest varieties of daylilies are the most optimal for our climate, as they easily survive the winter at rest, and then come to life again with the advent of spring.
- Flowering time (in parentheses is the international designation that can be found on the package with rhizomes): early (E), medium early (EM), medium (M), medium late (ML), late (L). Monthly gradation starts from mid-June to the end of August.
- Flower time: night, day and long-blooming. Many varieties have a pronounced aroma.
The best varieties of daylily
Magnificent daylilies are rightly called "The Smile of the Sun". It seems that they do not care at all, and they are fragrant in any conditions. The opinion is partly erroneous. If natural species are really very stable and labile in terms of cultivation, then cultivated hybrids require a little more attention and care. At the same time, plants with a long and abundant flowering period are always the favorites of choice.
We offer you three varieties of daylilies that meet all requirements.
- Strawberry Candy - a semi-high variety (70 cm) with luxurious flowers that fully justify their name, up to 12 cm in diameter. They have characteristic corrugated petals of an almost rounded shape, which makes them seem even more dense and pronounced against the backgroundgreenery. One of the advantages of the variety is a long flowering period from late June to September. Moreover, there may be a second stage, subject to a warm autumn.
- Stella D'Oro is an almost continuously blooming daylily. Low-growing varieties (in this case, the height does not exceed 40 cm) are good because they can be used even in a small area, creating an oasis of bright yellow flowers against the background of emerald green leaves. Flowering is long with short breaks from May to October. The flowers are large - 6.5 cm in diameter, the petals are rounded, slightly corrugated.
- Frans Hals - tall variety (up to 1 m) with excellent hardiness characteristics and a long flowering period, belongs to the category of two-color hybrids. The coloring is truly unique. Petals of a uniform yellow color alternate with brick-red, in the middle of which there is a strip, up to 15 cm in diameter.
Terry daylily: varieties
Terry daylilies in their beauty can compete with elegant lilies and even roses, although they are fundamentally different plants. Corrugated corollas have a different number of petals. It is difficult to cover all the diversity, and therefore we bring to your attention new varieties of daylily with double flowers:
Double red royal - a plant that forms a bush up to 75 cm in height with large (14 cm in diameter) double-velvet flowers of a rich wine hue and a silver edging on the inner surface of the petals. Blooms all summer
- Just my size - 2014 variety with very abundant flowering. Terry flowers have a pale pink hue with a reddish "eye", a diameter of up to 7 cm.
- Ikebana star is a luxurious cultivar with large pale yellow flowers. The petals are slightly wavy and paler in comparison to the central part of the edge. Flower diameter up to 15 cm. Fragrant variety, blooms throughout the summer.
Despite the fact that daylily species and varieties are completely diverse, the basics of its cultivation and care are the same for everyone.
Lighting
It should be noted that in their homeland daylilies are plants of shaded places (shrubs, forest edges), but in our climate they need a sufficient amount of light, especially garden hybrids. Otherwise, adjacent to the host in partial shade, they simply will not be able to express themselves in full glory. Of course, the plant is very plastic and can grow even in the shade, but abundant and spectacular flowering is observed only in good light.
Attitude to moisture and soil
The daylily is also quite tolerant of moisture. A powerful rhizome can get water from the deep layers, and it is not afraid of surface drought. However, it is best to mulch the space near the bushes with peat or wood chips so that there is no excessive evaporation.
Familiar to us garden soils are quite suitable for this plant. With an abundance of sand, moisture will evaporate too quickly; in heavy clay soil, on the contrary, it will stagnate, which will lead to decayroot system.
Landing
The landing site largely depends on the characteristics of the hybrid. In particular, on whether you choose tall or dwarf daylilies. The varieties of this or that group must be correctly combined with each other, and then the flower bed will delight the eye throughout the season with its lush flowering.
The landing pit is prepared for each rhizome separately and carefully. Remember that daylilies will grow in this place for many years. Now it is only a small piece of rhizome, and in 3-4 years you will have a sprawling bush with turf up to 70 cm in diameter.
If the soil is fertile and well permeable to moisture, then just dig holes and plant a plant. If you doubt the quality of the soil, then first add peat, sand, humus and fertilizer (potassium, superphosphate, ash, etc.) to it. When planting, do not deepen the neck, it should be 1.5-2 cm above ground level and mulched.
Water and fertilize
As experienced gardeners rightly point out, daylilies do not cause much trouble in care, but still require some attention. Meanwhile, even a novice grower can grow them.
Daylilies are not fans of frequent and superficial watering. It is best to do this infrequently, but abundantly in the event of a prolonged drought, otherwise they grow well with normal rainfall. Watering is carried out under the root to avoid droplets of water on the flowers.
Feeding with mineral fertilizers is recommended to be carried out twice. The first - in early spring, when onlyleaves grow, and the second - after the peak of flowering.
Pruning the plant
Withered flowers not only spoil the appearance of the bush, but also "pull" extra forces from it to form seeds. Therefore, as it fades, it is necessary to remove the flower stalks with secateurs. If the weather is damp, then the petals will not crumble on their own, cut the flowers completely.
Before the onset of winter, the entire above-ground part must be removed. As a rule, the foliage does not have time to dry on its own in our climatic conditions and dies only due to frost. If it is left until spring, then the rhizome may simply burn out or rot until the next season.
Mulching soil
The procedure is very useful for plants and has several goals at once. Firstly, as a result of sprinkling the area around the bushes with wood chips or peat, the rate of evaporation of moisture from the soil decreases. Secondly, mulching prevents the roots from overheating in the heat and freezing during severe frosts in winter. Thirdly, the need for weeding and loosening is minimized.
Experts recommend using two types of mulch: wood chips and peat. Lay the first at some distance, the second - right near the base of the bush, so that young shoots grow unhindered.
Garden use
Daylily has a very wide range of possible applications in landscape design, thanks to its spectacular appearance. It can be used in group mono- or combined plantings, competently beating the height and shades of different varieties. Finesingle plants look surrounded by a flat lawn or along the banks of an artificial reservoir, along the borders.
The variety of bright shades of the plant perfectly complements evergreen conifers and ordinary deciduous shrubs. The beauty at a distance is especially emphasized by varieties with yellow flowers, and rich shades (burgundy, dark pink) are best used in the foreground.
