Hemerocallis Nagasaki - Daylily

The Hemerocallis 'Nagasaki' is a compact daylily that combines many qualities. It is a rather early, perennial and fragrant variety, with pretty flowers that are more or less double in pastel shades of ivory, lavender pink and yellowish green. These assets make this perennial suitable for borders, small spaces and flower pots. This daylily forms an attractive clump of leaves that remains appealing in winter. The numerous flowers bloom throughout a long period in summer.

The genus Hemerocallis belongs to the family Liliaceae or Hemerocallidaceae according to classifications. These are hardy perennial plants with deciduous foliage, sometimes semi-evergreen. The variety 'Nagasaki', obtained in 1978 by Kirchhoff, was awarded in the USA in 1982 (Honorable Mention) and 1979. The plant forms a dense clump that reaches about 48 cm (19in) in height, with a relative spread of 30-35 cm (12-14in); daylilies tend to spread a bit when they like the soil. The flowers measure about 11.5 cm (5in) in diameter. They are composed of broad, wavy-textured petals with pleated edges and smaller, more narrow and twisted petals. Their base colour is ivory, washed with lavender pink and featuring a large yellowish-green throat. Each flower blooms in the morning, lasting no more than a day, but the flowering period extends for several weeks between June and August. 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 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. Daylilies are often called "the perfect perennial plant" because of their vibrant colours, their ability to tolerate any type of environment, and also due to their lack of modesty; they have a beautiful exuberance that blends well with other perennials. Plant them in generous clumps at the back of your borders. All summer bulb flowers (lilies, agapanthus, ixias...) can be planted alongside daylilies. 'Nagasaki' is a lovely variety that fits easily in small spaces, at the front of borders, along pathways or in a pretty pot. It pairs well with perennial flax, small grasses, and chamomiles. The flowers are edible: they add colour to salads and decorate desserts.