Hemerocallis Little Business - Daylily

The Daylily or Hemerocallis 'Little Business' remains one of the best miniature varieties, awarded in its category in 1975. The very compact plant produces an abundance of small carmine pink or raspberry pink flowers with a beautifully contrasting chartreuse green throat. The flowering of this variety is relatively early and reliably extends throughout the summer. Easy to grow in all areas, floriferous and colourful, 'Little Business' has proven itself; it will find its place in all gardens, along a border, on the terrace or balcony, and even in the rockery!

The genus Hemerocallis belongs to the family Liliaceae. These are  perennial and hardy plants with deciduous foliage, sometimes semi-evergreen. The variety 'Little Business', introduced in 1971, grows in a very dense clump that won't exceed 35 cm (14in) in height, with a relative spread of 40 cm (16in); miniature daylilies tend to spread a little when they like the soil, even forming a very effective ground cover against weeds. In a classic shape, the flowers only measure about 7 cm (3in) in diameter, but they are produced profusely on short stems adorned with numerous green buds. The petals in this variety are lanceolate and velvety in appearance. Each flower lasts no more than a day; still, the flowering repeats continuously over a beautiful period between June and July, then in September, with a plant being able to produce 400 to 500 flowers in a season from the age of 3 years. In this variety, the linear foliage is semi-evergreen. 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 shade and sun. Some can be invasive, so divide the clumps every four or five years, preferably in autumn, after flowering. The daylily is often called "the perfect perennial plant" due to its vibrant colours and its ability to tolerate any environment, but also due to its lack of modesty, as it is of a beautiful exuberance that goes well with other perennials. Plant them in generous clumps at the back of your borders. All summer bulb flowers can be planted alongside daylilies. 'Little Business' will fit perfectly into the composition of a red garden, along with Achillea 'Pomegranate', a Knautia macedonia, or an oriental lily like the Lilium Red Twin. Large pots of at least 30 cm (12in) in depth on a balcony or patio should be provided, and dwarf varieties should be preferred. The flowers are edible: they brighten up salads and decorate desserts.