Hemerocallis Persian Market - Daylily

The Hemerocallis or Hemerocallis Persian Market, introduced to the market in 1969, is one of those prized varieties still planted in gardens despite decades of selection and the many more or less reliable cultivars that have followed. It produces many huge and fragrant flowers, fuchsia pink with a yellow heart, each fringed petal marked with a white median line, in the middle of the season. Its foliage persists in winter, and the flowering often resumes in late summer, provided it does not lack water or nutrients. Excellent in every way!

The genus Hemerocallis belongs to the family Liliaceae. They are  perennial and hardy plants with deciduous foliage, sometimes semi-evergreen. The variety 'Persian Market' is a tetraploid cultivar. It forms a fairly dense clump that will reach a height of 70 cm (28in) with a relative spread of 60 cm (24in). Hemerocallis tends to spread a bit when they like the soil. The flowers, fragrant, huge and very open, measure about 18 cm (7in) in diameter. The petals in this variety are thick, wide and triangular, with very wavy edges. Each flower lasts little more than a day, but the flowering repeats continuously over a beautiful period between June and July and then again in September. The foliage is linear, abundant, and evergreen. Hemerocallis 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 sunlight. Some can be invasive, so divide the clumps every four or five years, preferably in autumn, after flowering. Hemerocallis is often called the perfect perennial plant because of its vibrant colours, ability to tolerate any environment, and lack of modesty; it is beautifully exuberant and blends well with other perennials. Plant them in generous clumps at the back of your flower beds. All summer bulb flowers can be planted alongside Hemerocallis. 'Persian Market' will fit perfectly in a romantic garden setting, with campanulas, penstemons, perennial flax, white Hemerocallis or phlox by its side. Large pots of at least 30 cm (12in) deep on a balcony or terrace should be provided, choosing from dwarf varieties. The flowers are edible: they brighten up salads and decorate desserts.