Hemerocallis Baracuda Bay - Daylily

Hemerocallis 'Baracuda Bay' is a superb perennial variety that produces very large flowers with wide petals richly coloured in rust and edged in gold. This cultivar, with its beautiful vigour, does not go unnoticed in the garden. It quickly forms beautiful clumps of more or less evergreen leaves in winter. The flowers bloom for a long period between June and September. This variety was awarded in the U.S.A in 2001 (Honorable Mention).

The genus Hemerocallis belongs to the family Liliaceae or Hemerocallidaceae according to classifications. They are deciduous and hardy perennial plants, with sometimes semi-evergreen foliage. The variety 'Baracuda Bay', obtained in 1996 by Salter, is the result of cross-breeding between the cultivars Mask of Time and Mort's Masterpiece. It is a tetraploid variety, which means it has a double set of chromosomes, giving it increased vigour and oversized flowers compared to classic diploid varieties. It forms a fairly dense clump that reaches about 66 cm (26in) in height, with a relative spread of 50 cm (20in). Hemerocallis tends to spread a little when the soil suits them. The flowers measure about 15 cm (6in) in diameter. They are composed of 3 large, rounded and fringed petals, and 3 smaller petals. The large yellow-edged petals are coloured in bright coral rust with a darker centre, while the smaller ones are a more discreet coppery orange. The throat is golden yellow around a small lime-green centre. Each flower opens in the morning, lasts only one day, but the flowering is renewed in successive waves throughout the summer. The foliage is linear, bright green and more or less evergreen in winter. Hemerocallis are plants with short rhizomes and fleshy roots that tolerate dry soils, but they are more opulent and floriferous in damp soil.

Very easy to grow, these plants thrive equally well in shade or sun. Some of them can be a bit invasive, so do not hesitate to divide the clumps every four or five years, preferably in autumn after flowering. Hemerocallis is often called 'the perfect perennial plant because of its vibrant colours, its ability to tolerate any type of environment, but also because of its lack of modesty, it is beautifully exuberant and blends well with other perennials. Plant them in generous clumps at the back of your flower beds.  Summer bulbs (lilies, agapanthus, ixias, etc.) can be planted alongside hemerocallis. 'Baracuda Bay' is a variety with a strong personality, to be showcased alongside blue, white, orange, red or yellow blooms. It pairs well with perennial flax, erigerons and chamomiles, for example. The flowers are edible: they brighten up salads and decorate desserts.