Summer of 2009 AHS Region 2 Popularity Poll Cultivars
"Tabulated by Joyce Hersh, AHS Region 2 Regional Publicity Director"

The daylily cultivars listed in the table below were the most popular plants among AHS Region 2 members in 2009.  AHS Region 2 encompasses the states of Wisconsin, Illinios, Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.  The annual most popular cultivar poll provides useful information for daylily gardeners.  Cultivars in the top-25 list have well stood the test of time.  For example the average year of introduction for this year’s top-10 cultivars is 1994.  In addition to being robust performers, most-popular cultivars typically produce strong scapes with good branching and bud count, flowers that open easily and have a clear color, and unblemished foliage.    

One significant caveat is that our climate in Northeast Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula typically is harsher than in other parts of Region 2.  Thus, sometimes we may not be able to grow all of the cultivars that are voted most popular in Region 2.  Cultivars in the 2009 list marked with an “*” typically need winter protection in Northeast Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula and may not survive even with extra attention.

Please keep in mind... sooner or later, a particular combination of fall, winter and spring weather conditions can occur that will kill a plant that has survived well the past twenty years in a given garden.   While most daylilies that are long-time and good performers seldom have difficulties, it is not unheard of to experience a plant loss to extreme weather in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula.   

Knowing the hybridizer may be useful to a gardener when selecting other cultivars (certain hybridizers consistently produce high quality plants that do well in our region or develop lines that have characteristics that a northern gardener in looking for).  Not all cultivars, however, produced by a particular hybridizer may be winter hardy.

Each image is only a guide to the appearance of a cultivar's flower.  Therefore, a picture should not serve as the defining factor for purchasing a plant.  True colors (or hues or tints) of daylily flowers are often quite difficult to capture with a camera and can vary considerably depending upon lighting, time of day, camera settings, etc. 

In closing, also keep in mind that hundreds of wonderful cultivars can be grown in our region and a person should not limit themselves to popularity poll plants.  The annual poll, however, is a good place to start.

Position	Cultivar Name (hybridizer)	Image	Comment
1	Primal Scream (Hanson, C.)		Large persimmon orange star shaped flowers that put on a big show.  Extremely popular.  Plants are husky, but increase relatively slow.  Tetraploid.
2	Ruby Spider (Stamile, P.)		Very large star shaped flowers on fast increasing plants.  Extremely showy in the garden.  Tetraploid.
3	All American Chief (Sellers)		Excellent large red flower that is star shaped.  Dependable and productive.  Tetraploid.
4	Heavenly Angel Ice (Gossard)		Large icy cream-pink unusual form.  Excellent plant habits and hauntingly beautiful flowers. Diploid.
5	Webster's Pink Wonder (Webster)		Huge pink unusual form flowers that may reach 14 inches in diameter.  This plant has been very successful in our area.  Tetraploid.
6	Bela Lugosi (Hanson, C.)		Truly outstanding purple flowers that are carried on strong scapes.  Plants are large, sturdy and hardy.  Tetraploid.
7	*Beautiful Edgings* (Copenhaver)		Cream flowers flushed in pink with a darker lavender edge and no eyezone.  Needs winter protection in Northeast Wisconsin and may not survive even with extra attention.  Diploid.
8	*Moonlit Masquerade* (Salter, J.)		Needs winter protection in Northeast Wisconsin and may not survive even with extra attention. Tetraploid
9	Red Volunteer (Oakes)		Excellent, large bright red flowers on strong growing plants.  Earlier than most reds.  Tetraploid.
10	South Seas (Moldovan)		Long time good performer in Wisconsin.
Other cultivars receiving votes in 2009:  11. Swallow Tail Kite 12. *Bill Norris  13. Moses’s Fire 14. Holly Dancer 14. tie Joan Derifield 16. Fooled Me 17. Shores of Time 18. Condilla 18. tie *Highland Pinched Fingers 18 tie. Indian Giver 21. Chance Encounter 21 tie. Strawberry Candy 23. Lavender Blue Baby 23 tie. Siloam Double Classic 25. Holiday Party