Hemerocallis Hot Wheels - Daylily

Hemerocallis 'Hot Wheels' is a Daylily from the "spider" group, whose flowers possess a spider-like grace. Very large, they are formed by long and relatively narrow petals, red at the tip and yellow towards the centre. This variety blooms in June and July, bringing cheerfulness to the garden with its vibrant colours. Easy to grow in sunny or even partially shaded exposure, it is a sturdy perennial that appreciates moist and even wet soils.

According to botanical classifications, the genus Hemerocallis belongs to the Liliaceae family, like Lilies, Tulips or Fritillaries, or to the Xanthorrhoeaceae family, like Aloe or Bulbine. There are about thirty species of Daylilies, originating from the Far East, and probably more than sixty thousand horticultural varieties! The scientific name of the plant comes from Greek and means "beauty of a day", while its common name is "Daylily", due to the shape of the flower and the brevity of its existence.

Hemerocallis 'Hot Wheels' is a variety launched in 1992 by the breeder Calhour. Although relatively old, it is still sought after for the beauty and size of its flowers. The plant forms a dense clump of long, narrow leaves with pointed tips, of a beautiful bright green. The clump widens year after year. The vegetation measures about fifty centimetres in height, with the flower stalks reaching 90cm. These stalks bear several buds, which open from June into very large flowers with a diameter of 20-21cm. Each flower is composed of three long and narrow sepals, and three petals of roughly the same length, but which widen in the upper third. Bright red at their tips, these floral parts gradually turn yellow towards the base. A bouquet of six stamens, five centimetres long, starts from the centre and curves upwards. Their dark purple tips contrast with the yellow of the centre, enhancing the overall spider-like appearance. The flowers are ephemeral, but renew themselves very regularly without interruption for several weeks, as this variety is perpetual.

Daylilies can be classified in the group of "beginner plants" as their cultivation is simple. Preferring moist to wet soils, they can even be planted on the edge of a pond, alongside Astilbes with their large plume-like white, pink or red flowers. However, once well rooted, they are quite tolerant of dry conditions. Plant the 'Hot Wheels' Daylily in the second row of a bed, behind a carpet of Aubrieta that will bloom before it in spring. To extend the flowering season, plant a Ligularia dentata 'Dark Beauty' behind your Daylily, which will provide a spectacular clump of round, purple leaves, topped from July to September by bouquets of yellow-orange flowers resembling daisies.

Floriferous and highly decorative, Daylily flowers are edible. You will surprise your guests by serving them a salad adorned with a few colourful petals!