Hemerocallis Shooting Star - Daylily

Daylily or Hemerocallis 'Shooting Star' is an old variety, award-winning in its time, known for its robustness, longevity, and floribundity. Over time, it forms a lush clump resembling a plant fountain, and abundantly offers large, elegant flowers at the end of July and throughout August, with a refined style, in a light lemon-yellow colour, tinged with green at the heart. This perennial, so easy to grow in deep soil, is perfect for beginner gardeners as it manages to resist the weather, without maintenance, even in abandoned gardens.

The Hemerocallis genus belongs to the Liliaceae family. These are  perennial and hardy plants with deciduous foliage, sometimes semi-evergreen. The variety 'Shooting Star' was introduced to the market in 1951 and remains one of the most planted in gardens worldwide. It grows into a tall and dense clump that will reach a height of 90 cm (35 in), with a relative spread of 70 cm (28 in). Daylilies tend to spread a little when they like the terrain. The flowers, of a good size, measure about 15 cm (6 in) in diameter. The petals in this variety are lanceolate, delicately curved and thick. Each flower lasts only one day, but flowering is constantly renewed over a beautiful period between late July and early September. The stems are robust and bear many elongated buds. The linear foliage is abundant, very healthy, bright green, and deciduous. Daylilies 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 equally well in shade and in the sun. Some of them are rather invasive, so do not hesitate to divide the clumps every four or five years, preferably in autumn, after flowering. The daylily is often called the "perfect perennial plant", because of its bright colours and its ability to tolerate any type of environment, but also due to its lack of modesty: it is beautifully exuberant and 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. 'Shooting Star' will fit perfectly into the decor of a contemporary garden, alongside small grasses like Stipa tenuifolia planted beside it. It pairs well with yellow yarrows and potentillas, or with coquelourdes, in a more rustic-inspired border that requires little watering and maintenance. On a balcony or terrace, large pots of at least 30 cm (12 in) deep should be provided, and dwarf varieties should be chosen. The flowers are edible: they brighten up salads and garnish desserts.