Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are some of the most popular perennial flowers grown in gardens today. Their popularity stems from their easy care, vigorous growth, and lengthy bloom season. But one of the main reasons gardeners love daylilies is the incredible diversity of colors they come in. So what is the full range of daylily colors available?
The Origins of Daylily Color
In nature, most daylily species have flowers in various shades of yellow, gold, or orange Some have reddish tones as well. Early daylily hybrids developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were limited to these warmer flower colors.
It wasn’t until the mid-1900s that hybridizers started to unlock the full spectrum of possible daylily colors through selective breeding. Pioneers like Arlow Burdette Stout introduced cultivars with much cooler tones like pink, purple, red, and near-white. Today’s hybridizers continue to push the boundaries to create a veritable rainbow of daylily flower colors.
Sunny Yellows
Yellow is the classic daylily shade Many popular types like ‘Happy Returns’ and ‘Stella de Oro’ bear golden yellow blooms The yellow category ranges from pale lemon to deep gold. Yellows showcase the trademark daylily flower form and combine easily with other colors. They bring light and warmth to the garden.
Brilliant Oranges and Reds
On the hot end of the color spectrum, daylilies really shine Flower colors like vermilion, scarlet, crimson, orange-red, and tangerine make a bold statement They seem to glow when planted en masse. Great red and orange cultivars include ‘Frances Joiner’, ‘Jamaican Me Crazy’, and ‘Sultan’s Palace’.
Cool Pastel Tones
While daylilies look fabulous in hot colors, they can also carry off delicate pastel shades beautifully. These include creamy peach, pale yellow, lavender, soft pink, and melon. Flowers in this category have an ethereal, romantic look. Lovely examples are ‘Lavender Blue Baby’, ‘Bela Lugosi’, and ‘Pink Damask’.
Vibrant Pinks
Ranging from blush to fuchsia, pink is a diverse category for daylilies. Light pinks like ‘Elizabeth Salter’ have a gentle charm. Deeper hot pinks like ‘Ruby Spider’ and ‘Cranberry Baby’ make more of a statement. Planting different pink shades together creates visual interest.
Regal Purples
Rich purple daylily blooms provide a regal touch. From deep purple through light lavender, they add mystery and elegance. Stunning choices include ‘Royal Purple’, ‘Purple Spider’, ‘Bela Lugosi’, and ‘Mort Moro’. These moody blooms glow beautifully in the evening.
Crisp Whites
Finding a true white daylily flower is still uncommon, but creamy off-whites are more widely available now. Cultivars like ‘Sunday Gloves’, ‘Moonlit Masquerade’, and ‘Green Flutter’ have a clean, crisp look. Near whites pop at dusk and complement pastels.
Exciting Bicolors
Why settle for one color when you can have two? Many modern daylilies blend and contrast two or more distinct colors on the same bloom. Flowers may have dark throats, picotee edges, variable midsections, or veining. Bicolors provide excitement and visual texture.
Rare and Unusual Colors
Innovative hybridizers keep pushing for new daylily colors that are rare and unusual. Examples include smoky purples, slate blues, metallic sheens, and even green tones. Cutting-edge cultivars to watch for include ‘Blue Eyed Soul’, ‘Blueberry Candy’, and ‘Green Flutter’.
Choosing Colors with Impact
With so many potential color combinations, narrowing down your choices can be a fun challenge! Here are some tips:
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Yellows, oranges, and reds make a vibrant color statement. Use en masse for maximum effect.
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Pastels have a softening effect. Combine them with cool blue/purple flowers.
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Dark purples and reds add drama. Use them as focal points.
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Near whites glow at dusk. Pair them with pastels for an angelic look.
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Bicolors and unusual shades provide excitement. Use sparingly for pops of color.
When selecting, consider existing colors in your garden beds and borders. Visit local gardens to see colors in person before choosing plants. With daylilies, you can find glorious colors to brighten any sunny garden space.
The Future of Daylily Colors
Daylily breeders and hybridizers continue to push the boundaries of flower color in exciting new directions. We may soon see deep blues, true greens, black blooms, and multicolored “rainbow” flowers. One thing is certain – daylily flowers will keep amazing us with their ever-expanding, spectacular color palette. Any garden can benefit from adding these colorful, rugged, and floriferous perennials.
Take Your Garden to the Next Level With Daylily Roots
A daylily is a flowering plant in the genus Hemerocallis. Despite the common name, it is not in fact a lily flower. These enchanting perennials range in colour from sunny yellows and blushing pinks to deep purples and electric greens. Daylily flowers may be of the classic, graceful trumpet shape or they may have the slender, reaching petals of spider varieties. Because different varieties have different blooming periods, its possible to enjoy the beauty and charm of these splendid daylily flowers from spring until fall in an ever-changing display of styles and colours.
Are Daylilies a Bulb?
Daylilies do not grow from bulbs; they grow from bare roots. Unlike true bulbs, which have a compact, layered structure, daylilies have fleshy, elongated roots. These roots store nutrients and energy, allowing daylilies to survive harsh conditions and regrow each year.
Yes, daylilies are perennials, and are hardy in zones as low as Zone 3. That means that daylilies will grow again after winter, except in the very coldest, northernmost regions of the United States. Daylily plants will come back year after year, with added scathes and bigger spread each year. To avoid limited blooms, you can divide your daylily bulbs every few years and plant the divided pieces in soil amended with compost. In addition to their wonderful hardiness, daylilies are extremely low-maintenance flowers that can be planted in tough spots. Daylilies will happily grow in coarse or low-quality soil, and famously thrive in direct sunlight. Add bright bursts of colour to summers hottest days with beautiful daylilies.
Daylily Attributes: From Eyezones to Bloom Shapes | Oakes Daylilies
FAQ
How many colors of daylilies are there?
Daylilies, belonging to the genus Hemerocallis, come in a wide array of colors, but there are no true blue or white daylilies.
Which daylilies bloom all summer long?
Some of the most popular reblooming daylilies include the cultivar ‘Stella de Oro‘ and its relatives. The sunny, golden-yellow blooms of ‘Stella de Oro’ are mildly fragrant and appear continuously over grass-like, apple-green foliage from early June until frost.
Why are there no blue daylilies?
The truth is, there is no such thing as a true blue daylily. It hasn’t been hybridized yet. Gold and yellow daylilies were predominant in the species and all modern daylilies come from those two colors. It’s hard to get a true blue from yellow and gold.
Do daylilies prefer sun or shade?
Daylilies generally prefer full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal blooming. However, they can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates where some afternoon shade can help preserve flower color.