Hemerocallis Exotic Treasure - Daylily

The Daylily or Hemerocallis 'Exotic Treasure' is a perpetual variety that bears numerous round flowers with wide petals, finely frizzed at the edges, superbly bicoloured in soft melon pink and dark purple. With its relatively early, abundant and prolonged flowering, this superb tetraploid cultivar has an exotic charm. The plant quickly forms beautiful clumps of evergreen leaves in winter.  

The genus Hemerocallis belongs to the family Liliaceae or Hemerocallidaceae according to classifications. They are perennial and hardy plants with deciduous foliage, sometimes semi-evergreen. 'Exotic Treasure', obtained in 2002 by Salter, has given rise to 38 more recent cultivars. It is a so-called tetraploid variety with a double stock of chromosomes, giving it increased vigour and oversized flowers compared to classic diploid varieties. It forms a fairly dense clump that will reach about 70 cm (28in) in height, with a relative spread of 50 cm (20in); daylilies tend to spread a little when they like the soil. The flowers measure about 13 cm (5in) in diameter. They comprise three large, thick, slightly wavy, rounded petals with undulating edges and three marginally smaller sepals.

The petals are a pale melon pink with an orange tint; they have a large halo of a very contrasting dark purple colour and a border of the same tone. The sepals are slightly more pink, well undulated, but without any trace of violet on the edges. The throat is yellow and green. Each flower opens in the morning and lasts no more than a day, but the flowering extends from June to the end of September. Each floral stem has four branches and carries between 36 and 40 flower buds. It is not uncommon for four flowers to bloom at the same time. The foliage is linear, bright green and evergreen in winter. Daylilies 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 full sun. Some can be invasive, so divide clumps every four or five years, preferably in autumn, after flowering. Daylilies are often called "the perfect perennial" because of their vibrant colours and ability to tolerate any environment, but also because of their lack of modesty; they have a beautiful exuberance that goes well with other perennials. Plant them in generous clumps at the back of your flowerbeds. All summer bulb flowers (lilies, agapanthus and ixias) can be planted alongside daylilies. 'Exotic Treasure' is a particularly floriferous and colourful variety to be showcased alongside pink, white or purple blooms. It goes well with grasses, lavenders and chamomiles. The flowers are edible: they brighten up salads and decorate desserts.