Hemerocallis Amerstone Amethyst Jewel - Daylily

Hemerocallis 'Amerstone Amethyst Jewel' bears unusually shaped flowers with an unusual colour in summer which are delicately scented. They have slightly twisted petals with fringed edges, washed in lilac and amethyst, surrounding a wide yellow and green throat. This cultivar quickly forms beautiful clumps with deciduous foliage in winter. It is a mid-season variety that is subtly unique, perfect for combining with white or lemon yellow flowers in a border.

The genus Hemerocallis belongs to the family Liliaceae. They are perennial and hardy plants with deciduous foliage, which are sometimes semi-evergreen. The variety 'Amerstone Amethyst Jewel', obtained in 2001 by King-M, is the result of cross-breeding between the cultivars Fairy Summerbird and Dancing Summerbird. It forms a fairly dense clump that will reach about 64 cm (25in) in height, with a relative spread of 50 cm (20in).  Daylilies tend to spread a little when they like the soil that they are planted in. The flowers measure about 10 cm (4in) in diameter, the petals in this variety are somewhat irregular in shape, more or less concave and undulating at the edges. Each flower blooms in the morning and lasts only a day, but the flowering continuously renews over a beautiful period in June-July. Each flower stem has 3 branches, about 25 flower buds in total. The foliage is linear, bright green and deciduous in winter : it emerges from the ground in spring and dries up in autumn. Daylilies are plants with short rhizomes and fleshy roots that tolerate dry soils, but are more opulent and floriferous in moist soil.

Very easy to grow, these plants thrive in both shade and sun. Some of them can be a little invasive, so do not hesitate to divide the clumps every four or five years, preferably in autumn, after flowering. Daylilies are often called 'the perfect perennial plant', because of their vibrant colours, their ability to tolerate any type of environment, but also due to their lack of modesty, they have a beautiful exuberance that goes well with other perennials. Plant them in generous clumps at the back of your borders. All summer bulbs (lilies, agapanthus, Ixias...) can be planted alongside daylilies. 'Amerstone Amethyst Jewel' is a refined variety, to be highlighted alongside white or yellow blooms: for example daylilies 'Alice in Wonderland' or 'Gentle Shepherd'. Add some perennial flaxes, erigerons and chamomiles for example. The flowers are edible: they brighten up salads and decorate desserts.