Hemerocallis Flight of The Dragon - Daylily

The Daylily or Hemerocallis 'Flight of The Dragon' is a variety of the 'Spider' or 'UFO' (initials for Unusual Form) with delicately scented flowers of unusual shape. They have narrow, slightly twisted petals, fringed with mauve and amber cinnamon, around a wide yellow and green throat. This cultivar has deciduous foliage. It is a late variety, subtly original, to be combined with grasses, for example, in a flower bed border. 

The genus Hemerocallis belongs to the Liliaceae family or daylilies according to classifications. They are perennial and hardy plants with deciduous foliage, sometimes semi-evergreen. The 'Flight of The Dragon' variety, obtained in 2001 by King-M, results from cross-breeding based on the Danse Summerbird cultivar. It forms a fairly dense clump that will reach about 70 cm (28in) in height, with a relative spread of 50 cm (20in); daylilies tend to spread a little when they like the soil. The flowers measure about 17 cm (7in) in diameter. The petals in this variety are narrow, somewhat irregular in shape, and more or less concave and undulate along the edges. Each flower blooms in the morning, lasting only one day, but the flowering continues continuously over a beautiful period in June-July. Each flower stem has 2 or 3 branches, with about 16 to 20 flower buds. 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 can be 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" because of their vibrant colours and ability to tolerate any environment. Due to their lack of modesty, they have a beautiful exuberance that goes well with other perennials. Plant them in generous clumps in the background of your flower beds. All summer bulb flowers (lilies, agapanthus, Ixias, etc.) can be planted alongside daylilies. 'Flight of The Dragon' is a refined variety to be highlighted next to white or yellow blooms: think, for example, of the daylilies 'Alice in Wonderland' or 'Gentle Shepherd'. Add some perennial flax, Pennisetum grasses, and chamomiles, for example. The flowers are edible: they brighten up salads and decorate desserts.