Hemerocallis Happy Returns - Daylily

The Daylily or Hemerocallis' Happy Returns' is a robust perennial, appreciated for its long fragrant flowering period, with intense and bright lemon yellow. Repeat flowering, the flowering period occurs from mid-June to late August. It revives flower beds, perennial borders, and borders. It can also be used in bouquets, thanks to the good longevity of its flowers. Low-maintenance and robust, it thrives in sunny locations, ordinary soil, and moderately moist, well-drained soil. The deciduous foliage gradually disappears once the flowering period is over. Once established, the clump expands over the years.

The genus Hemerocallis belongs to the family Asphodelaceae according to recent classifications. Hemerocallis comes from the Greek word hémera, meaning day and kalos, meaning good or beautiful, summarizing as "Beauty of a day". They are commonly called "Daylilies" or "Everblooming Lilies" because their flowers resemble those of Lilies and last only a day. They are perennial and hardy plants with deciduous, sometimes semi-evergreen foliage.

The variety 'Happy Returns' grows rapidly and forms a beautiful dense clump that reaches 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in) in height when in bloom, with a spread of about 40 cm (16in). Daylilies tend to spread a little when they like the soil. Carried on stiff stems, the flowers measure approximately 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) in diameter. Each flower comprises three bright yellow petals and three sepals, with a central vein of the same colour and a slightly undulated border. In the centre, six stamens stand out, each topped with a brown anther with two lobes. Each flower lasts only one day, but the flowering period continuously renews from mid-June to late August. The stems are sturdy and make beautiful bouquets. Deciduous, the lovely bright green colour of linear foliage is abundant during the growing season from April to October, then turns yellow in autumn before disappearing for winter.

'Happy Returns' Daylily is a robust and generous perennial plant. It is an ideal choice for the background of a perennial bed, at the front of a shrub bed, or to add volume to a moderately dry rock garden. Very easy to grow, Daylilies thrive in shade and full sun. Thanks to their short rhizome root system and fleshy roots, they easily establish in dry soils, but more moist soils will make them more abundant and floriferous. Some can be invasive, so 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, ability to tolerate any environment, and exuberance that blends well with other perennials. Plant them in generous clumps in the background of your flower beds. All summer bulb flowers can be planted alongside Daylilies.

With its many yellow flowers, 'Happy Returns' is perfect to bring dynamism and cheerfulness to the garden. It pairs well with flowers in soft or pastel shades, orange, pink, blue, or violet. A very colourful composition can be combined with crocosmias, gladioli, lilies, and dahlias. In moist soil, it finds its place near a pond with Iris pseudodacorus, Asian primroses, and astilbes. For a lighter touch, it pleasantly accompanies gauras, flax, bellflowers, baby's breath, white-flowered yarrows, and grasses like Pennisetum or Calamagrostis. With its low and compact growth habit, 'Happy Returns' can be easily grown in containers or pots on a balcony or patio, providing sufficient and regular watering. The flowers are edible; they brighten up salads and decorate desserts.