Hemerocallis Graceland - Daylily

The Daylily or Hemerocallis 'Graceland' is a medium-sized variety but truly graceful in more ways than one; it bears beautifully scented flowers with rounded shapes in a beige hue infused with lavender pink, and marked in the centre with a darker purple-pink halo. The throat of the flower displays a chartreuse green to a yellow hue, complementing this pastel colour palette. It blooms early in the season, and if the soil it is planted in remains moist, it will re-bloom in late summer.

The genus Hemerocallis belongs to the Liliaceae family. They are perennial and hardy plants with deciduous, sometimes semi-evergreen foliage. The 'Graceland' variety, tetraploid, was bred in 1987. This perennial grows in a vigorous and dense clump that reaches a height of 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28in), with a relative spread of 50 cm (20in). Hemerocallis plants spread a bit when they like the soil they are planted in. The flowers appear in June-July and again in late summer and are large, round, and strongly scented. They measure about 14 cm (6in) in diameter, and the petals in this variety are thick, wide, and slightly wavy. Each flower lasts no more than a day, but the flowering period continues continuously between June and July. The foliage, usually evergreen in this variety, is linear, abundant, and evergreen to semi-evergreen when the winter is very cold. Hemerocallis plants have 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 shade and sun. Some can be 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, but also due to its lack of modesty, as it exudes a beautiful exuberance that goes well with other perennials. Plant them in generous clumps in the background of your flower beds. All summer bulb flowers (Lilies, Crocosmia, Agapanthus) can be planted alongside Hemerocallis. 'Graceland' is a modest-sized variety that is easy to integrate into a perennial flower bed, such as with asters, bellflowers, peonies, goldenrods, and bugbanes. Large pots of at least 30 cm (12in) deep on a balcony or patio should be used, and dwarf varieties should be chosen. The flowers are edible: they can brighten up salads and decorate desserts.