Hemerocallis Siloam Merle Kent - Daylily

Daylily or Hemerocallis 'Siloam Merle Kent' is a small but vigorous and truly delightful variety. It bears round and fully filled flowers, reminiscent of orchids, sporting a tender purplish-pink colour marked with a central purple-violet halo and a small yellow and green throat. Its undulate and fringed petals add to its charm. While not enormous, the flowers are soft and bright and last longer than other varieties, while renewing themselves over a long period on an elegant and abundant foliage. It is a problem-free perennial that will thrive anywhere, in full sun or partial shade.

The Hemerocallis genus belongs to the Liliaceae family. These are perennial and hardy plants with deciduous, sometimes semi-evergreen, foliage. The 'Siloam Merle Kent' variety is diploid and forms dense clumps that will reach 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in) in height, with a relative spread of 55 cm (22 in). Daylilies tend to spread a little when they like the soil. The flowers measure about 9 cm (4 in) in diameter. The petals of this variety are thick, wide, and slightly fringed, with well-undulated edges. Each flower lasts about 16 hours, and flowering is continuously renewed over a beautiful period between June and August. The stems are sturdy and filled with numerous buds. The foliage is abundant, linear, bright green, and deciduous. 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 as in full sun. Some of them can be a bit invasive, so do not hesitate to divide 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 due to their lack of modesty: they display a beautiful exuberance that goes well with other perennials. Plant them in generous clumps at the back of your borders. All summer flowering bulbs can be planted alongside daylilies. 'Siloam Merle Kent' will integrate perfectly into the setting of a romantic garden, with campanulas, penstemons, perennial flaxes, or phlox planted alongside. 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.