Hemerocallis Suns Eyes - Daylily

Hemerocallis Sun's Eyes, or Daylily, is a vigorous, highly floriferous perennial with evergreen foliage. It produces numerous round and fragrant flowers, with a perfectly uniform intense yellow colour, first in June-July, and then again in September-October. This relatively old daylily has been awarded for its many qualities and will not disappoint in fertile and fresh soil. Its abundant foliage is also very ornamental.

The Hemerocallis genus belongs to the Liliaceae family. These are  perennial and hardy plants with deciduous foliage, and are sometimes semi-evergreen or rarely evergreen. The 'Sun's Eyes' variety, obtained in 1978, was awarded in 1981. This robust perennial grows in a fairly dense clump that will reach 80 cm (32 in) in height, with a relative spread of 70 cm (28 in). Daylilies tend to spread a bit when they like the soil. The flowers, which are round and pleasantly fragrant, measure about 14 cm (6 in) in diameter. The petals of this tetraploid variety are thick, wide, and delicately wavy, with undulated edges. Their colour is a very pure, quite intense yellow. The throat of the flower is very small and green. The stamens are also a bright yellow. Each flower lasts only one day, but flowering is continuously renewed over a beautiful period between mid-June and July, and then regularly in September-October. The stems are robust and filled with numerous buds. The foliage is linear and evergreen. Daylilies are plants with short rhizomes and fleshy roots that tolerate dry soils but are more opulent and floriferous in fresh soil.

Very easy to grow, these plants thrive in both shade and sun. Some of them can be a little invasive, so do not hesitate to divide the clumps every four or five years, preferably in autumn after flowering. Daylilies are often called "the perfect perennial plant", because of their vibrant colours and their ability to tolerate any type of environment, but also because of their lack of modesty: they display a beautiful exuberance and blend well with other perennials. Plant them in generous clumps at the back of your borders. All summer bulb flowers can be planted alongside daylilies. 'Sun's Eyes' will be highlighted in a large perennial bed (Autumn Aster, Helen's Flower) or in an annual bed (Cosmos), combined with ornamental grasses, beautiful foliage such as fennel or alchemilla, and wildflowers such as ornamental carrots, asphodels, chamomile, or Ammi visnaga, which will not overshadow the beauty of its flowers. On a balcony or terrace, large pots of at least 30 cm (12 in) deep should be used, and dwarf varieties should be chosen. The flowers are edible: they brighten up salads and garnish desserts.