Hemerocallis Victorian Collar - Daylily

Hemerocallis 'Victorian Collar', or Daylily, produces large fragrant very round flowers with highly undulated petals of a light and shiny golden-yellow colour, and is a real eye-catcher when planted in a large perennial border. This superb semi-evergreen medium-sized variety blooms over a long period, starting in early summer. Very floriferous, brilliant and full of life, this exceptional perennial is easy to grow in any region.

The Hemerocallis genus belongs to the Liliaceae family. They are hardy perennial plants with deciduous foliage, and sometimes semi-evergreen. The 'Victorian Collar' variety, tetraploid but fertile, was awarded in 1996. The plant grows in a fairly dense clump that will reach 60 cm (24 in) in height, with a relative spread of 40 cm (16 in). Daylilies tend to spread a little when they like the soil. The flowers, very large and fragrant, measure about 15 to 17 cm (6 to 7 in) in diameter. The petals of this variety are both thick and delicately crimped, with very undulated edges. The colour is particularly intense and pure: an unyielding golden-yellow, subtly marked by a lighter central line in the middle of the sepals. Each flower lasts only a day, but flowering is continuously renewed over a beautiful period between mid-June and July. The stems are robust and covered with numerous buds. The foliage is linear and semi-evergreen. Daylilies are plants with short rhizomes and fleshy roots that tolerate dry soils, but are more opulent and more floriferous in moist soil.

Very easy to grow, these plants thrive equally well in shade and in full sun. Some of them are a bit invasive, so do not 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 and their ability to tolerate any type of environment, but also because of their lack of modesty: they display a beautiful exuberance that goes well with other perennials. Plant them in generous clumps in the background of your borders. All summer bulb flowers can be planted alongside daylilies. 'Victorian Collar' will be enhanced in a large perennial or annual border, associated with grasses, beautiful foliage like fennel or lady's mantle, wildflowers like ornamental carrots, asphodels, chamomile, or Ammi visnaga that will not overshadow the beauty of its flowers. 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.