Hemerocallis Black Eyed Susan - Daylily

Hemerocallis 'Black Eyed Susan' bears rounded flowers with highly contrasting tones, displaying a purple-brown eye at the centre of each slightly undulate golden yellow to orange petal. The throat of the flower is of a slightly deeper shade of orange-yellow. This perpetual variety reblooms consistently in late season in cool climates. It bears a multitude of flowers thanks to numerous buds. It is a robust and trouble-free perennial, which will adapt to any garden, in not too dry soil.

The genus Hemerocallis belongs to the Asphodelaceae family. These are  perennial and hardy plants whose foliage is deciduous, sometimes semi-evergreen. The 'Black Eyed Susan' variety grows in a fairly dense clump that will reach 75cm (30in) in height, with a relative spread of 80cm (32in). Daylilies tend to spread a little when they like the terrain. The flowers measure about 11cm (4in) in diameter. The thick and slightly wavy petals in this variety are bicolour. The sepals are smoother and marked with a more discreet eye. Each flower lasts only a day, but the flowering renews continuously between July and August, then blooms again in September-October, even in cold regions. The bright green foliage is abundant, linear, and deciduous. Daylilies have short rhizomes and fleshy roots that tolerate dry soils, but are more opulent and more floriferous in moist soil.

Very easy to grow, these plants thrive equally well in shade and in the sun. Some of them can be slightly invasive, so don't 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, and their beautiful exuberance that complements other perennials. Plant them in generous clumps in the background of your flower beds. All summer bulb flowers can be planted alongside daylilies. 'Black Eyed Susan' will blend perfectly into the composition of a contemporary garden, surrounded by the grass-like Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron', or Festuca glauca, as well as the silver foliage of artemisia or Cineraria maritima. It can also accompany asters in a flower garden. On a balcony or patio, plant dwarf varieties in large pots at least 30cm (12in) deep. The flowers are edible: they brighten up salads and decorate desserts.