The daylily, belonging to the genus Hemerocallis, is a garden perennial celebrated for its expansive color palette and remarkable hardiness. Although each bloom typically lasts only a single day, numerous buds produced on leafless stems, called scapes, ensure a long and vibrant display throughout the season. Original wild species were limited to shades of yellow and orange. However, intensive hybridization over the last century has resulted in over 80,000 registered cultivars. This vast genetic diversity has extended the color range to include nearly every hue imaginable.
The Wide Spectrum of Daylily Colors (Solid Hues)
The most common and earliest colors in daylilies are Yellows and Golds, with pigment derived primarily from carotenoids. These pigments are highly stable and sun-fast, resulting in clear, bright lemon yellows, deep golds, and buttery creams. Intensity varies widely, ranging from pale pastel yellows to rich, saturated golden tones.
Oranges and Apricots represent a bridge between yellows and warmer reds, featuring higher concentrations of orange-toned carotenoids. These hues range from soft cantaloupe shades to vibrant, almost neon oranges, offering a fiery contrast in the landscape. This color group is useful for creating warm borders and maintaining color stability even in high heat.
Reds are a deeply explored category, encompassing shades from true scarlet and tomato-red to deep wine and mahogany. The red pigmentation comes from anthocyanins, which are also responsible for the purple spectrum. Since anthocyanins can be sensitive to light exposure, darker red varieties often benefit from partial afternoon shade. This prevents the color from fading or scorching in intense sunlight.
The Pink spectrum has broadened considerably from the pale rose of earlier hybrids to include salmon, coral, and deep rose-red tones. These colors rely on anthocyanin pigments combined with genetic modifiers. These modifiers dilute the color or shift the pH within the flower cells to produce softer shades. Modern breeding efforts focus on achieving a clean, non-muddy pink that maintains clarity throughout the day.
Purples offer some of the most dramatic and saturated colors, ranging from light lavender and mauve to deep grape and violet. Like reds, these flowers contain high concentrations of anthocyanins, sometimes appearing so dark they are described as “near-black.” The depth of the purple hue is often influenced by environmental factors and the specific genetic makeup of the cultivar.
The Elusive Colors: Blue, White, and Black
Despite the success of hybridizers, the daylily genus lacks the genetic mechanism to produce a true, clear blue flower. The absence of the specific anthocyanin compound, delphinidin, limits the available palette. Delphinidin is responsible for true blue in many other flowers. What are marketed as “blue” daylilies are technically shades of slate, lavender, or gray-purple, representing the closest approximation the plant’s existing pigment system can achieve.
A pure, albino white remains genetically unattainable in a stable, vigorous form. Daylilies advertised as “white” are instead very pale creams, ivory, or near-white pastels that possess minimal pigment. These near-white cultivars often require full sun exposure to fully lighten and display their palest coloration.
The concept of a “black” daylily is an exaggeration, as the color results from extreme saturation of the deepest red or purple anthocyanins. These “near-black” flowers are actually deep burgundy, velvet-maroon, or dark plum. Environmental conditions, such as cooler temperatures or partial shade, can increase the pigment concentration, making the color appear darker and richer.
Intricate Markings and Pattern Variations
Modern daylilies are admired for complex secondary patterns that add depth and contrast to the blooms.
Key Pattern Elements
A distinct area of contrasting color situated just above the throat is known as the eye zone. When this zone appears on both the petals and the sepals, it is specifically termed an “eye,” providing a dark ring that draws attention to the flower’s center.
The throat is the center of the flower where the segments join, and it is almost always a different color from the rest of the bloom. Typically, the throat is a shade of green, yellow, or gold, creating a bright, glowing contrast.
A “watermark” is a lighter-colored zone, often appearing as a pale, washed-out band just above the throat, essentially a reverse eye zone.
The outer edges of the petals and sepals frequently display contrasting color bands, referred to as “edges” or “edging.” This edging can be smooth or dramatically ruffled, often appearing in shades of gold, silver, or a color matching the eye zone.
The midrib refers to the central vein running down the length of the petal. It can sometimes be a lighter or contrasting color, contributing another layer of patterning.