Hemerocallis Red Rum - Daylily

Hemerocallis 'Red Rum' is a low variety, offering a profusion of light cherry red flowers highlighted by a very fine lighter midline. It bears semi-evergreen foliage, on which hundreds of medium-sized flowers bloom in the middle of the season. Very floriferous and robust, this old variety has proven itself. It is a trouble-free perennial, awarded several times, whose success is guaranteed!

The genus Hemerocallis belongs to the Asphodelaceae family. These are perennial and hardy plants with deciduous, sometimes semi-evergreen foliage. The variety 'Red Rum', introduced in 1974, grows in a fairly dense clump that will reach 40cm (16in) in height with a similar spread. Hemerocallis tends to spread a little when they like the soil. The flowers measure about 8cm (3in) in diameter, and the petals in this variety are thick, wide, and wavy, especially along the edges. The small yellow throat extends into a delicate, faded red line in the centre of each petal. Each flower lasts only one day, but the flowering renews continuously over a beautiful period between June and July, with a plant producing 400 to 500 flowers in a season from the age of 3 years. In this variety, the linear foliage is semi-evergreen. Hemerocallis are plants with short rhizomes and fleshy roots that tolerate dry soils but are more lush and floriferous in moist soil.

Very easy to grow, these plants thrive in both shade and sun. Some of them can be slightly invasive, so don't hesitate to 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 and its ability to tolerate any type of environment. It is also known for its lack of modesty, as it is beautifully exuberant and blends well with other perennials. Plant them in generous clumps at the back of your borders. All summer bulb flowers can be planted alongside it. 'Red Rum' will fit perfectly into a red garden, along with Achillea 'Pomegranate' or an oriental lily like Lilium 'Red Twin'. If growing in pots for the patio or balcony, ensure they have a depth at least 30cm (12in).  Dwarf varieties are preferred for container cultivation. The flowers are edible: they brighten up salads and decorate desserts.