Hemerocallis Highland Lord - Daylily

The Daylily or Hemerocallis Highland Lord is a superb variety that offers double flowers, forming a whirlwind of a uniform ruby red, magnificent in the harsh light of midsummer. A little theatrical overall but refined in detail, the flower adorns each petal with a delicate white-cream border, and its throat, barely visible, with a golden glow. This variety quickly forms dense and sturdy clumps, semi-evergreen in winter, blooms as long as summer lasts, and the soil remains somewhat moist.

The genus Hemerocallis belongs to the Liliaceae family. They are  perennial and hardy plants with deciduous foliage, sometimes semi-evergreen. The variety 'Highland Lord' grows in a reasonably dense clump reaching 45 to 50 cm (18 to 20in) in height, with a relative spread of 50 cm (20in). Daylilies tend to spread a bit when they like the terrain. The flowers are modest and somewhat irregular, measuring about 12 cm (5in) in diameter, but they are double and have a thick and velvety texture. The petals in this variety are thick, very wide and recurved. Each flower lasts no more than a day, but the flowering repeats over a beautiful period between July and September. The stems are robust and filled with numerous buds. The foliage is abundant, bright green, linear and semi-evergreen. 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 or sun. Some are invasive, so don't 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 vibrant colours and ability to tolerate any environment. It is also due to its lack of modesty, as it is beautifully exuberant and pairs well with other perennials. Plant them in generous clumps in the background of your flower beds. All summer bulb flowers can be planted in the company of daylilies. 'Highland Lord' is perfect in the background of quickly planted and blooming flower beds, accompanied by light annual flowers, blue or white: annual larkspur, white foxgloves, perennial flax, white love-in-a-mist, and cosmos, for example, will accompany its double flowers. It will be stunning on a balcony or patio. Large pots of at least 30 cm (12in) in depth should be provided, and dwarf varieties should be chosen. The flowers are edible: they brighten up salads and decorate desserts.