Daylilies are widely appreciated perennials known for their adaptability and vibrant blooms, making them a favored choice for many garden enthusiasts. Their ease of care and ability to flourish in diverse conditions contribute to their widespread appeal. Yellow daylilies offer a cheerful presence, brightening garden spaces with their warm hues and providing consistent color.
Understanding Yellow Daylily Features
To choose among yellow daylily cultivars, understanding their distinct features is helpful. Bloom time varies, from early to very late, with some varieties reblooming multiple times throughout the season. Bloom form and size vary; common shapes include single, double, spider, and unusual forms. Diameters range from miniature (less than 3 inches) to large (4.5 inches or greater).
Foliage type describes how leaves behave seasonally: evergreen, dormant (losing foliage in winter), or semi-evergreen (retaining some leaves in milder climates). The scape is the leafless flower stalk that emerges from the plant’s crown, carrying blooms above the foliage. Scape height is important for garden placement, classified as low (6-24 inches), medium (24-36 inches), or tall (over 36 inches). Some daylilies exhibit eye zones, distinct bands of color around the throat, or picotee edges, a contrasting color on petal margins. Fragrance is another characteristic, with many yellow varieties offering a sweet scent.
Popular Yellow Daylily Varieties
Several yellow daylily varieties have gained popularity for their distinct attributes and reliable performance.
‘Stella de Oro’
A popular choice is ‘Stella de Oro’, a compact reblooming daylily with ruffled, golden-yellow flowers (2.75 inches). It blooms from early summer into early fall, providing extended color. Reaching 15 inches tall, its compact size suits borders and rock gardens.
‘Buttered Popcorn’
‘Buttered Popcorn’ is known for large, fragrant, butter-yellow flowers (up to 6 inches). It blooms mid to late summer and reliably reblooms. This tetraploid often results in thicker petals and more intense colors. It grows to 24-32 inches tall.
‘Hyperion’
‘Hyperion’, a historic daylily introduced in 1925, remains popular for its tall, classic presence. It produces fragrant, canary-yellow flowers, 4-5 inches, with green throats. A mid-season bloomer, it flowers in July, reaching 36-40 inches. Its vigor and fragrance make it a cherished addition to perennial beds.
‘Going Bananas’
‘Going Bananas’ reblooms nearly continuously from early summer into early fall. This daylily features 4-inch lemon-yellow flowers that are lightly fragrant, with good branching and 10-15 flowers per scape. Growing to 17-22 inches tall, it provides a consistent, long-lasting display.
‘Custard Candy’
‘Custard Candy’ features creamy-yellow blossoms with a maroon eye zone and a narrow yellow picotee edge. Its rounded, ruffled flowers (4.25 inches) bloom early to mid-summer and rebloom well. This sturdy tetraploid plant reaches 18-24 inches. Its unique pattern and rebloom make it visually appealing.
‘Fragrant Returns’
‘Fragrant Returns’ is an excellent reblooming yellow daylily with a sweet fragrance. It produces abundant 3-4 inch lemon-yellow flowers with ruffled margins. This deciduous perennial blooms from late spring to early fall, attracting pollinators. Reaching 18 inches tall, it is a compact choice.
Choosing Yellow Daylilies for Your Garden
Choosing yellow daylilies involves considering factors for desired aesthetics and continuous bloom. For extended color, select varieties with different bloom times (early, mid-season, late) to create a succession of flowers.
Garden placement also influences selection, especially scape height. Taller varieties like ‘Hyperion’ suit the back of borders, while shorter cultivars like ‘Stella de Oro’ are ideal for edging or front-of-border plantings. Bloom form, size, and patterns like eye zones or picotee edges also impact visual design. Reblooming varieties, like ‘Stella de Oro’ or ‘Going Bananas’, provide continuous color from late spring into fall. Daylilies adapt well to full sun to part shade and well-drained soils, offering flexibility.