Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Perennial Of The Day

Hemerocallis x 'Black Eyed Stella'
Daylily

Type Perennial
Hardy range 3A to 10A
Height 14" to 20" / 35cm to 50cm
Spread 20" to 24" / 50cm to 60cm
Growth rate Average
Form Irregular or sprawling and upright or erect
Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Yellow
Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are suitable for cut flowers.

EnvironmentThis plant tolerates drought.
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color

This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture NotesHemerocallis hybrids come in a wide range of colors, flowering times and sizes, and some even come with a fragrance. For the most part, daylilies are long-lived, hardy perennials that are tolerant of the sun. However, some species will show sun scald and prefer partial sun. Daylilies are adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions, and most bloom from late June until the first frost (depending on the cultivar). These plants attract both butterflies and hummingbirds and, usually, are both heat and drought resistant. Hemerocallis are extremely tough plants that spread rapidly in most conditions, thereby choking out weeds without becoming invasive themselves. The best time to plant daylilies is early spring. Although the individual blooms are short-lived, the number of blooms you get from an average flower stalk continues on for weeks.

Daylilies adapt to almost any location that provides at least six hours of sunlight, but it's best to plant them in a prepared, raised bed of soil that is high in organic matter. For clay soil, coarse sand and organic matter should be mixed in. When planted, the crown should be even with the soil line. The growth rate of daylilies can be increased via generous irrigation practices. At the end of the flowering season, remove the spent flower stalks only so that the remaining dying foliage will protect the center of the plant through the colder winter months. Also, division of the plant every two or three years will increase stem strength and flower size.

'Black Eyed Stella' is an All American Daylily Selection. A heavy rebloomer, its ruffled flowers are golden yellow with a dark red eye.

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