7 dwarf daylilies for borders
An exceptional flowering in a small format
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Well known for their exceptional flowering, Daylilies or Hemerocallis are generous and long-lasting perennials. They continuously bloom in summer with flowers that fade quickly, hence their other name ‘Day Lily’. A few hours of sunlight and cool soil are the best conditions for their success, although they thrive in any soil. Their height varies from around 40 centimetres to over 1 metre for the tallest. The smaller varieties are renowned for their floribundity and resilience. Many varieties deserve our attention for flowering along a pathway or in the foreground of a border. They are also perfectly suited for pot cultivation, provided they receive enough water to keep the substrate cool. Discover miniature Daylilies to enjoy one of the most abundant summer flowerings there is.
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Hemerocallis 'Little Business'
Truly miniature and stocky, the Daylily ‘Little Business’ reaches a height of about 30 cm and a width of 40 cm at ripeness. Its small flowers, measuring 7 cm across, are still quite large for the size of the plant. It blooms in June and July, and again in September. Its petals are lanceolate, velvety, and undulate. The abundant flowers are carmine pink or raspberry pink with a lovely chartreuse throat. Awarded in 1975, ‘Little Business’ has proven its reliability.
Plant it, for example, alongside a small Kniphofia ‘Nancy’s Red’, an Astrantia major ‘Hadspen Blood’, and another low Daylily, ‘Thumbelina’, for instance. Add the spikes of a Pennisetum massaicum ‘Red Button’.
Daylily ‘Little Business’, Kniphofia ‘Nancy’s Red’, Daylily ‘Thumbelina’, Astrantia major ‘Hadspen Blood’, Pennisetum massaicum ‘Red Button’
Hemerocallis 'Thumbelina'
Here is the Hemerocallis ‘Thumbelina’, a variety measuring 40 cm in all directions, very floriferous as well, like many of its miniature companions. It is characterised by its beautiful, bright and luminous orange colour. Its flower, measuring 5 to 6 cm, has thick, shiny petals that appear glittery. It blooms in June and July, possibly until September if the soil remains cool. This is a variety you can choose if you don’t have much sunlight, as it is quite tolerant.
Accompany it, at the edge, with a lovely Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’, with red-tipped leaves, a Sanguisorba ‘Chocolate Tip’, and an Achillea ‘Walter Funckle’, showcasing a beautiful palette of coral, orange, and red.
Sanguisorba ‘Chocolate Chip’, Hemerocallis ‘Thumbelina’, Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’, Achillea ‘Walter Funckle’
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Available in 3 sizes
Available in 3 sizes
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Available in 2 sizes
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Hemerocallis 'Pardon Me'
TheDaylily ‘Pardon Me’, although low-growing, stands out from afar with its beautiful velvety red colour. The flower, measuring 7 cm, is a rather dark raspberry red and forms a lovely contrast with a chartreuse throat edged in yellow. The petals have a velvety appearance, are recurved, and undulate. The plant reaches 45 cm in all directions and blooms in the heart of summer, in July and August. It may sometimes rebloom in early autumn under good conditions. This variety is also vigorous and floriferous.
Imagine a simple border with Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’ and Centaurea montana ‘Coerulea’.
Hemerocallis ‘Pardon Me’, Centaurea montana ‘Cœrulea’, Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’
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Choosing a daylilyHemerocallis 'Rosy Returns'
Also very compact, the Hemerocallis ‘Rosy Returns’ pushes the well-known floribundity of daylilies even further by being particularly repeat flowering. It features a soft old rose flower, marked by a strong pink halo and a bright yellow throat. This gives a dynamic character to its romantic colour. The plant, standing at 45 cm with a relative spread of 50 cm, blooms quite early in June and continues late into the autumn season, for an extraordinary duration. The petals are thick, crinkled, undulate, and veined. The flower, measuring 9 cm, is slightly fragrant.
This is an opportunity to plant a pastel border, alongside perennial flax, a Korean campanula, Campanula takesima ‘Elisabeth’, and a Penstemon ‘Garnet’.
Campanula takesima ‘Elisabeth’, Hemerocallis ‘Rosy Returns’, perennial flax, Penstemon ‘Garnet’
Hemerocallis 'Jason Salter'
Let’s take a look at the Hemerocallis ‘Jason Salter’ for its lovely design and beautiful mix of colours. Its flower is round, cream-yellow. A brown-plum eye, like a watercolour, surrounds a green throat. The petals are undulated and slightly crinkled. Approximately 6 cm in size, the flowers bloom in June and July on a plant that reaches 40 cm in all directions at ripeness. Visible from afar, Hemerocallis ‘Jason Salter’ is refined and cheerful.
Plant it alongside Hemerocallis ‘Chocolate Candy’ for a harmonious effect, with a soft Anthemis tinctoria ‘Wargrave variety’, a blue Eryngium ‘Tiny Jackpot’, and a Carex elata ‘Aurea’.
Hemerocallis ‘Jason Salter’, Eryngium ‘Tiny Jackpot’, Hemerocallis ‘Chocolate Candy’, Anthemis ‘Wargrave Variety’, Carex elata ‘Aurea’
Daylily 'Stella de Oro'
The most famous of the miniature Hemerocallis, the Hemerocallis ‘Stella de Oro’, needs no introduction. Its exceptionally long flowering period, robustness, and longevity are the reasons for its success. Its golden yellow colour adorns many flower beds. From a plant that reaches a height of 30 cm and a spread of 45 cm, 6 cm flowers bloom from May and continue until October. Its recurved, crinkled petals are a vibrant, cheerful yellow. To add another advantage: ‘Stella de Oro’ is fragrant.
Simply plant it alongside an Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ and a Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’, for a fresh and tangy combination.
Hemerocallis ‘Stella de Oro’, Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’, Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’
Daylily 'Chicago Knobby'
Let’s finish with the original ‘Chicago Knobby’, a very lovely variety with an old-fashioned charm. Its flower is purple with a strong pink halo. Its colours appear somewhat faded, a bit washed out. Only the yellow centre is unambiguous, bright. The petals are fringed and slightly plicate. The plant, compact, reaches 40 cm in all directions and blooms in June and July. The flowers are large, about 12 cm.
Pair it with a Berberis thunbergii ‘Rosy Glow’ with softly pink-spotted leaves, Leucanthemum superbum ‘Gruppenstolz’, and Astrantia major ‘Rosea’.
Berberis thunbergii ‘Rosy Glow’, Hemerocallis ‘Chicago Knobby’, Leucanthemum superbum ‘Gruppenstolz’, Astrantia major ‘Rosea’
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