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updated 1/06 |
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Plant
Habits |
 Daylilies,
or Hemerocallis, are one of the most popular perennial plants in North
America. Some 60,000 hybrids are now registered with the
American Hemerocallis Society, testament to their incredible
popularity. It is likely that daylilies can be purchased at
nearly any garden center or greenhouse dealing in perennials.
Unfortunately, many of the varieties commonly available are generally
not the superior hybrids of the past few years. Some of these
commonly grown varieties are surely worth growing, but lack much of
the show power, refinement and size of today's
hybrids.
Most of the modern day hybrids were derived from a small group of species plants originating in East Asia. The species are generally yellow, gold, or dusty orange/red and have only a weak resemblence to the multi-generational hybrids of today. Of the thousands of new cultivars registered each year, most have been hybridized in Florida or other southern tier states. This causes much confusion for gardeners in the north, since many of these 'southern beauties' are not hardy in our climate. This is where a daylily society and its member gardeners can be of great assistance-information concerning hardiness of cultivars! Daylilies that were registered nearly one hundred years ago may still be found growing in gardens today, evidence of their durability. Arlo Stout an early hybridizer and daylily enthusiast is generally accepted as the father of the daylily hybridizing scence. He did many studies on daylilies and is responsible for much of the foundation information upon which modern day hybridizing and growing is based. Hybridizers after Stout have constantly built, refined and added to this pool of knowledge.
The BAD BUDS are the
northernmost chapter in Region 2 plus Minnesota.
Some members have had many
years of experience growing daylilies.
The following list of hybridizers are
the collective result of talking with members, growers, hybridizers,
reading reports and articles. Not
all cultivars produced by a particular hybridizer may be winter
hardy and and even the hardiest cultivar may be lost during extreme
conditions or success will vary due to microclimates.
To our knowledge, recent hybridizers that have been consistently producing solid northern hardy plants are: Melanie Mason (North Country Daylilies, NY), Phil & Luell Korth (Pinewood Gardens, WI), Curt Hanson (Crintonic Gardens, OH), Leo Sharp (Brookwood Gardens, IN), Nate Bremer (Solaris Farms, WI), Bill & Mary Powell (Epiphany Farm, WI), Robert Ellison (Ellison Perennials, IL), Jaimie Gossard (Heavenly Gardens, OH), Vic Santa Lucia & Van Sellers (Iron Gate Gardens, NC), Judy Davisson (NC) and Roy Klehm (Song Sparrow Nursery, WI). The prospective buyer should always confirm the hardiness of the cultivar with the hybridizer or grower. Many hybridizers located further south often produce hardy cultivars, but care and research should observed before purchasing plants from these areas.
A recent trend among
daylily enthusiasts is to learn how to hybridize daylilies and to
dabble with a small hybridizing program. "Little"
equipment and space is needed to enjoy hybridizing a few daylilies
of your own. For further information on hybridizing and
growing daylily seedlings please visit...The
Six Step Beginner's Approach to Hybridizing (Part of Bill
Jarvis' excellent daylily website).
The American Hemerocallis Society is the governing organization for daylilies and is responsible for many activities, record keeping, and programs. The AHS has an excellent website with a great deal of information dealing with just about anything to do with daylilies. Among the many pages found on this site are a daylily dictionary, frequently asked questions page, awards page, daylily sources listing, display garden listing, and organization information. For more information visit the links in the contents bar of this page, and enjoy!
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