The name of daylily - "hemerocallis" - literally translates as "beautiful one day." This is due to the characteristic feature of this plant: its flower is opened only one day.
Hybrid daylily, like other hemerocallis species, is a rhizome herbaceous perennial. It has cordous subordinate roots, fleshy and thickened, helping the plant withstand drought. Hybrid daylily is a fairly versatile flower. It can grow not only in the shade, but also in lighted areas. And everywhere its flowering will be plentiful, although under the sun the flower will open completely, and if it is not enough, it will remain at the bud stage. The hybrid daylily "wakes up" very early, as soon as the night temperature rises, that is, somewhere in early April. It blooms profusely and long enough.
A developed plant has twenty or more peduncles with up to four dozen buds that open sequentially, one after another. The color
of the plant's flowers varies from light yellow, almost white, to dark red with all the existing shades of orange, pink, lilac and lilac. A hybrid daylily comes out from under the snow with already overwintered leaves, which began their growth last fall. In general, this is a relatively young plant that was bred in the late twenties of the last century by the botanists Stout Arlow and Perry Amos.
Care
Daylilies, the cultivation of which is gaining increasing popularity, grow on clay and sandy soils, but they prefer well-drained, fresh and loose soil. They are very tolerant of acidity, but neutral earth is the best. The hybrid daylily does not like plentiful watering: the dry topsoil, reaching the level of a developing rosette, and moist at a depth of 20-30 centimeters, will be ideal for it. In cold weather, moisture congestion is detrimental to this plant, however, during flowering, regular watering is necessary. And this must be done strictly in the evening or in the early morning, pouring water under the root. At the end of flowering, all shoots must be cut, and since in wet weather the flowers do not fall, they must also be removed. Many flower growers cut the entire aerial part before winter. Hybrid daylily prefers slow-acting top dressing.
Breeding
This plant propagates both seeds and vegetatively, although in the first case the varietal characteristics of the plant are not preserved, therefore it is used only by breeders. The best time to divide daylily is spring: this usually happens in late April. The signal to start the transplant is its movement in growth. Therefore, the sooner you start a division or transplant, the less the flower will be injured. And at a later date of such work, daylily hybrid may not bloom at all this year.
The properties
Daylilies, planting of which is used in several directions, can form not only very beautiful borders. Having landed them in a large group, you can create an indescribable composition.
On site, they can be planted for beauty near a pond or around arbors, but in distant China this plant is grown in the garden as an edible. Hybrid daylily is eaten in all parts, but its buds, melliferous plants and flowers, which make a very tasty and original salad, are especially good. In addition, this plant is added to the broth, cooked in batter. From its buds and roots, a very tasty roast is obtained.