Despite the frank similarities in the names, lilies and daylilies, the description of the varieties of which are 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-shaped rhizome, arcuate curved leaves and large inflorescences.
In horticulture, the original natural daylily species and numerous varieties are used that amaze with the beauty of flowers and the abundance of their shades. Florists are valued mainly for their unpretentiousness, high stability and mobility in the culture, the ability to quickly form lush bushes, as well as for a long flowering period.
The most popular are two natural species: lemon yellow daylily, yellow. Varieties with which the market is now abundant are bred on their basis.
Daylily yellow
This is a perennial herb. In the wild, it is widely distributed in Asia (temperate climate zone) and southern Europe. In gardens it is used as decorative, undemanding to the soil. This type of daylily forms a sprawling bush with linear curved leaves up to 0.75 m long. High inflorescences contain from 3 to 9 large flowers. The funnel-shaped corolla can be varied: from golden yellow to saturated maroon. There are numerous highly decorative varieties of daylilies of this species.
Daylily lemon yellow
Perennial flowering plant, forming a powerful bush up to one meter high. In the natural environment it grows along river banks, forest edges, on the slopes of meadows, and reaches 2000 m above sea level. The birthplace of the plant is China, Japan and Korea.
Large flower stalks are higher than the leaves in height, at the top have an inflorescence of 2-5 large flowers. A distinctive feature of the species is its pronounced aroma. Flowers open in the afternoon or late afternoon, the top of the bud is a purple-black hue, and the perianth, as the name implies, is lemon yellow. At home, it is used not only as an ornamental plant, but also as a food plant (eat flower buds as a side dish or in soups).
Classification
Varieties of daylilies are very numerous. Moreover, every year they continue to replenish with new hybrids with improved characteristics. It is impossible to present them all in one article. However, when choosing a daylily for your site, each grower should pay attention to several criteria that will help you navigate this variety. It is on them that I often classify varieties.
- Peduncle height: low (less than 30 cm), medium-tall (30-60 cm), half-high (60-90 cm) and very high (from 90 cm).
- Type of vegetation: evergreen, semi-evergreen and dormant. The last varieties of daylilies are most optimal for our climate, as they easily survive the winter at rest, and then come back to life again with the arrival of spring.
- Flowering terms (in parentheses indicate the international designation that can be found on the package with rhizomes): early (E), medium early (EM), medium (M), medium late (ML), late (L). For months, graduation starts from mid-June to the end of August.
- Blossoming time: night, day and long-flowering. Many varieties have a pronounced aroma.
The best varieties of daylily
The magnificent daylilies were rightly called the "Smile of the Sun." It seems that they do not care, 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 cultural hybrids require a little more attention and care. At the same time, plants with a long and plentiful flowering period always remain the favorites of choice.
We offer you three varieties of daylilies that satisfy all the requirements.
- Strawberry Candy is a half-tall variety (70 cm) with luxurious flowers that fully justify their name, up to 12 cm in diameter. They have characteristic corrugated petals of almost round shape, which makes them appear even more dense and pronounced against the background of greenery. One of the advantages of the variety is its long flowering period from late June to September. Moreover, there may be a second stage under the condition of a warm autumn.
- Stella D'Oro is an almost continuously flowering 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 interruptions from May to October. The flowers are large - 6.5 cm in diameter, rounded petals, slightly corrugated.
- Frans Hals - a tall variety (up to 1 m) with excellent endurance characteristics and a long flowering period, belongs to the category of two-color hybrids. The coloring is truly unique. Petals of uniform yellow color alternate with brick-red, in the middle of which there is a strip, diameter up to 15 cm.
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 offer you new varieties of daylily with double flowers:
- Double red royal - a plant that forms a bush up to 75 cm tall with large (14 cm in diameter) double-velvet flowers with a rich wine hue and a silver border on the inner surface of the petals. It blooms all summer.
- Just my size is a 2014 variety with very plentiful flowering. Terry flowers have a pale pink tint with a reddish “eye”, diameter up to 7 cm.
- Ikebana star - a luxurious variety with large flowers of pale yellow color. Petals are slightly wavy and paler in comparison with the central part of the edge. The diameter of the flower is up to 15 cm. Fragrant variety, blooms throughout the summer.
Despite the fact that daylily species and varieties are absolutely diverse, the basics of its cultivation and care are the same for everyone.
Lighting
It should be noted that at home, daylilies are plants of shaded places (shrubs, forest edges), but in our climate they need enough light, especially garden hybrids. Otherwise, adjacent to the host in partial shade, they simply will not be able to prove 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.
Moisture and soil
Daylily is also quite loyal to 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 area near the bushes with peat or wood chips so that there is no excessive evaporation.
The usual garden soils are quite suitable for this plant. With an abundance of sand, moisture will evaporate too quickly, on the contrary, it will stagnate in heavy clay soil, which will lead to decay of the root system.
Landing
The landing site largely depends on the characteristics of the hybrid. In particular, from whether you choose tall or dwarf daylilies. Varieties of a particular group must be correctly combined with each other, and then the flower bed will delight the eye throughout the season with its lush flowering.
A landing pit is prepared for each rhizome separately and carefully. Remember that daylily will grow for many years at this place. Now it’s just a small piece of rhizome, and after 3-4 years you will have a sprawling bush with a turf up to 70 cm in diameter.
If the soil is fertile and well-permeable to moisture, then simply dig out the holes and plant the plant. If you doubt the quality of the soil, then add peat, sand, humus and fertilizer (potash, superphosphate, ash, etc.) to it first. When planting, do not deepen the neck, it should be 1.5-2 cm above ground level and mulched.
Watering and feeding
As experienced gardeners rightly remark, daylilies do not cause much trouble in care, but still require some attention. Meanwhile, even a beginner grower can grow them.
Daylilies are not lovers of frequent and superficial watering. It is better to do this rarely, but abundantly in case of prolonged drought, and so they grow well with a normal amount of precipitation. Watering is carried out under the root in order to avoid falling drops of water on the flowers.
Feeding with mineral fertilizers is recommended twice. The first - in early spring, when the leaves only grow, and the second - after the peak of flowering.
Plant pruning
Withered flowers not only spoil the appearance of the bush, but also "pull" out of it extra forces on the formation of seeds. Therefore, as it blooms, it is necessary to remove the peduncles with secateurs. If the weather is wet, 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, foliage does not manage to dry on its own in our climatic conditions and dies only because of frosts. If it is left until spring, then the rhizome can simply burn out or vypreta until the next season.
Soil mulching
The procedure is very useful for plants and pursues 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 cultivation is minimized.
Specialists recommend using two types of mulch: wood chips and peat. Lay the first one at a certain distance, the second - right near the base of the bush, so that the young shoots grow unhindered.
Garden use
Daylily has very wide possible applications in landscape design, due to its spectacular appearance. It can be used in group mono- or combined landings, competently beating the height and shades of different varieties. Solitary plants look great surrounded by a flat lawn or along the shores of an artificial reservoir, along borders.
A variety of bright shades of the plant perfectly complements the evergreen conifers and ordinary deciduous shrubs. Especially interesting is emphasized beauty from a distance with varieties with yellow flowers, and saturated shades (burgundy, dark pink) are best used in the foreground.