Hemerocallis Longfields Twins - Daylily

The Daylily or Hemerocallis 'Longfields Twins' is an original variety that would not look out of place in an exotic bed due to its striking and unusual flowering. The plant, of a good size, produces double flowers, irregular in shape, with a variable appearance, sometimes very disordered, in a mix of Indian red, orange-pink, and golden yellow tones, swirling around a greenish throat. These flowers are strange but also delicately scented. There are many reasons to plant this baroque beauty, which prefers very sunny, even windy, exposures in the garden.

The genus Hemerocallis belongs to the family Liliaceae. These are  perennial and hardy plants with deciduous foliage, sometimes semi-evergreen. The variety 'Longfields Twins', introduced in 2005 and of unknown parentage, forms a fairly dense clump that will reach a height of 80-90 cm (32-35in) when in flower, with a relative spread of 60 cm (24in); daylilies tend to spread a little when they like the soil. The flowers, about 15 cm (6in) wide, are composed of a double row of more or less irregular floral parts, with the central ones generally shorter than the others. All the petals are recurved and twisted. Each stem, well-branched and sturdy against the wind, forms up to 20 oval buds of green colour. Each flower lasts barely more than a day but flowering continuously over a long period in July, then again until the end of summer. The foliage is linear and semi-evergreen. Daylilies are plants with short rhizomes and fleshy roots that tolerate dry soils but are more abundant and floriferous in moist soil.

Very easy to grow, these plants succeed in almost all climates, as long as the soil they are planted in is deep. 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" because of their vibrant colours and ability to tolerate any environment, but also 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 beds. All summer bulb flowers can be planted alongside daylilies. 'Longfields Twins' performs much better in a very sunny bed, with flower-laden stems less likely to droop than when it grows in the shade. This surprising variety will fit perfectly into the setting of a romantic garden, with bellflowers, penstemons, perennial flaxes, and tall phloxes by its side. Accompanied by a dwarf banana tree, a Baby Blue Eucalyptus, a Phormium, or purple-leaved cannas, this daylily will create a colourful and very exotic scene.