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When to come:
The daylilies bloom from June through September. Peak season lasts from late July through August. It is breath-taking to behold the main six acre field in full bloom. June is also delightful, with the subtler shades of the Siberian Iris and the intensity of the early yellow shaded daylilies. Visitors are welcome to wander along the grass paths which meander through our gardens.

Before you come:
If you want to pick up a large order, please call in advance, so we can have it ready when you get here. There is a map to help guide you through the winding Vermont roads. Our Season Calendar is here. Peak season we will be open seven days a week (mid July-mid August).

Besides Daylilies:
We grow many different species and varieties of Iris. We are now offering an ever increasing selection of perennials, in addition the our extensive daylily collection.

Blueberries:
We maintain over four hundred high bush blueberries in three patches. Pick your own from mid July through August. There are at least six varieties which are organically grown and delicious.

Discovering Nature:
In the woods and fields, the farm also harbors various wildlife habitats and natural plantings. You'll findf rog and fish ponds, occupied bird houses, rock gardens, bog plantings, border collies, a rare stand of northern bamboo and more. There are tables with umbrellas and benches for your picnics.

Puppy Gael when she was just a young-un

In just corner of one of our beds the amazing diversity of daylilies is exhibited.

Talls, eyed, reds and different seasons all crowded together.

Olallie Christopher

Jasper and Molly handweed
the beds in June

Color catalogs, field guides and fresh cut flowers at Olallie

Olallie entrance sign

The Garden House

Our Garden House is our summer base of operations. It is a simple post and beam structure built by a local carpenter. Start there for help, our catalog, brochures, field map or just as a meeting place.

Great Reasons to Grow Daylilies

Long Lived
Daylilies are among the longest-lived garden plants.
Easy to increase
You can easily propagate daylilies, producing additional plants for your garden.
Trouble free
Daylilies are low maintenance plants and are easy to grow. Few pests bother them.
Resilient
Because of their amazing root structure and winter dormancy,daylilies are forgiving growers even in the most adverse conditions.
Adaptable
Daylilies thrive in moist conditions, yet they are ranked as one of the top five drought resistant plants. Daylilies bloom best infull sun but will perform well in partly sunny locations as well.

Great Reasons to Order From Us

Organic Plants
Our plants are field grown, fertilized with compost and organic solutions and hand weeded without herbicides or pesticides.
Hardy Plants
Our plants are proven hardy in our rugged cold climate where they thrive, even with no protective mulch.
Healthy Plants
Daylily rust, a new leaf disease, has been spreading in someZone 7 or warmer gardens. We have never had rust. Our Zone 4 winters prevent rust from establishing.
Fresh Plants
On shipping day your plants are dug, hand rinsed, packed, and shipped. We ship at the beginning of the week to ensure that plants arrive as quickly as possible.
Hands-on attention
As business owners with over 25 years of horticultural experience, we are involved in every step of your order.
Information and support
Our catalog and website are packed with information. Instructions for easy care and cultivation are included in everyorder. We welcome phone calls, too.
Tradition and experience
We are the largest and longest operating daylily nursery in Vermont. With over ten acres under cultivation, we grow over 2000 different daylily cultivars.
Breeders and growers
As members of the Daylily Society we are actively involved inall aspects of daylily culture and breeding and keep abreast of daylily developments and trends.

Our experience here at Olallie Daylily Gardens is that the species always seem to strike a chord in people.

It may be that with all the fancy ruffles and eyezones of current hybrids, the pure clean lines of the species are particularly appealing. One area in need of investigation is the use of daylilies in cooking.

There has been some research that indicates that different daylily cultivars differ in flavor in many ways. In China the daylilies are used extensively in cooking. The spent blossoms, buds, shoots and even the roots are edible and used in cooking in Asia.

The species featured on this page are later-season bloomers and typically are tall. The miscellaneous species listed are daylilies which we grow that are or could be species. Cultivars such as Tetrinas Daughter are interesting as they are tetraploid deratives of H. citrina.

H.middendorfii

Japan Hybrid in full bloom 6/26/07.

Hemerocallis citrina thunbergii

Hemerocallis citrina thunbergii appears virtually identical to H. citrina vespertina but blooms about 2 weeks later and thus into September.	Hemerocallis citrina thunbergii is a mass of buds in July 29, 2008. Another vigorous grower as are all the H. citrina types this cultivar also has lots of hybridizing potential	Hybrids of Hemerocallis citrina vespertina and Hemerocallis citrina thunbergii display many interesting traits including petal shape, yellow shades and scape height. Hybrids almost 7 feet tall are possible.
Hemerocallis multiflora
Hemerocallis multiflora produces and unbelievable number of buds, upwards of between 40-80 buds per scape are possible. Hemerocallis multiflora with tiny 2.5-3" blooms will bloom well into September here in Vermont. The foliage is upright much like the H. citrina types.	Hemerocallis multiflora is typically described as having orange colored blooms. This variant is more yellow and came from Dr George Darrow.	Hemerocallis multiflora produces such a profusion of blooms and tiny seed pods.
Hemerocallis sempervirens
Hemerocallis sempervirens is a particularly late blooming species, beginning in mid to late August here in Vermont. The coloration and spreading habit seem to indicate a relation to Hem. fulva.	Hemerocallis sempervirens does not grow very vigorously in Vermont. But has survived the winter with no problem.	The foliage of Hemerocallis sempervirens exhibits a somewhat loose spreading habit but doesn't increase as quickly and aggresively as H. fulva.
Additional Hemerocallis
Hemerocallis coreana is a relatively new acquisition. H. coreana does not seem to be a very vigorous bloomer here in Vermont.	This cultivar could very well be H. citrina except that it didn't come from Dr Darrow's original collection and was never labellled as H. citrina.	This hybrid of Hem. citrina and Hem. hakuensis exhibits some of the characteristics of both species, the lemon yellow color of H. citrina and the trumpt shape of H. hakuensis.
Hemerocallis types
Hemerocallis multiflora type is one of our cultivar which fits most of the criteria of H. multiflora but just isn't as floriferous as our origanal H. multiflora.	Tetrina's Daughter' is a tetraploid derivative of H. citrina, with many of the charactristics of H. citrina.	Tetrina's Grandson is a recent acquisition and as such not much is known about it other than it is another tetraploid derivative of H. citrina.

The Hemerocallis species are of interest to people who wish to know more about the history and development of the daylily. Many species have unique characteristics and an understated natural beauty that lends themselves to centerpiece plantings, cottage gardens and more. For further information, a good source of original information is A.B. Stout's book, Daylilies, originally published in 1934, it was reprinted in 1986, by J.M Dent and Sons, London. A more up to date reference is The New Daylily Handbook An updated anthology based on the classic 1968 Am. Hort.Soc. Daylily Handbook republished by the Am Daylily Soc. in 2002.

DID YOU KNOW..?
Hemerocallis (hem-er-o-kal-lis), the botanical name for daylily means in Greek ''beautiful for a day'. Each flower only opens for one day. After it is spent, it is succeeded by the next day's blossom. Established clumps bloom vigorously for weeks and weeks.

The daylily is a monocot related to Orchids, Hostas and Grasses. Daylilies were originally thought to be in the the Lily family (Liliaceae) but are now placed in their own family Hemerocallidaceae. and are in the genus Hemerocallis . Daylily species were originally found in Manchuria, Mongolia, Northern India as well as throughout China, Japan and Korea. In their natural habitat daylilies are found in swamps, seashore meadows, forests edges and on mountains up to 10,000 feet.

While there was some hybridizing of daylilies in the early 1900's however it wasn't until the 1930's when Dr. A.B. Stout ( New York Botanical Garden link to A B Stouts's archives) began to working with daylilies, hybridizing and identifying the species that they really took off. Dr Stout did extensive breeding work and developed dozens of hybrids. Since then daylilies have become nearly as popular as roses. They are collected, grown and hybridized by people around the world.

It is amazing to think that from approximately 20 species of daylilies over 45,000 varieties of daylily hybrids have been developed. While the colors of most species are orange, yellow or rarely pinkish there are now daylily hybrids in shades of red, purple, near white and more! With so many daylily varieties to choose from why would one want to grow daylily species?

Besides the historical interest of growing a species there are many traits that makes a species desirable. First and foremost in our opinion is the simple natural lines and form that species exhibit. The trumpet or simple star shapes of the blooms, the graceful narrow foliage and the loose growth habit of many of the species is delightful and fits into most landscaping designs. Secondly as plants that have evolved over millions of years they contain potential adaptability that may not be present some of the more modern cultivars. Finally from a breeding standpoint the species may contain genetic material that could produce new yet undiscovered traits.
The daylily species listed below are arranged by bloomtime here in Vermont

Hem. citrina next to a large tetraploid hybrid. Close examination demonstrates the different characteristics between the two types.

Hemerocallis sp. in its native habitat in Japan. Coexsisting with various other herbaceous plants on presumably what is a seaside meadow. It is not clear which species this is though.

Hemerocallis minor

Hemerocallis minor Usually the earliest daylilies to bloom. This yellow daylily has scapes only 10-12 long, 3" star shaped blooms and low grass-like foliage. Hem. minor seems to have a relatively short bloom time as well lasting only about 2-3 weeks.	Hemerocallis minor: This photograph was possibly originally from Dr Stout's research. It was found in Dr Darrow's files. Noteable is the grass-like foliage.	Hemerocallis minor foliage: Notice the small short bracted scapes. This plant was grown from seeds supplied by the American Rock Garden Society.
Hemerocallis dumortieri
Hemerocallis dumortieri Hemerocallis dumortieri is frequently one of the first daylilies to bloom here in Vermont. We have also noticed that this is one of the most fragrant daylilies, surpassing Hem. lilioasphodelus. Vigorous and exteremly hardy this species blooms early and well for us regardless of the winter and spring conditions. The red backed sepals add the the attractiveness of this plant. Foliage is blue-green and noticeably spikey.	Hemerocallis dumortieri Star shaped golden yellow blooms 4" across are produced on 26" scapes.	Hem. dumortieri The red buds of Hem. dumortieri are distinctive. There is the potential for heavily pigmented scapes in Hem. dumortieri hybrids Pigmented hybrid link
Hemrocallis middendorfii
Hem. middendorfii This Hem. middendorfii was acquired from a commercial source.	Strong vigorous growth and prolific bloom is characteristic of Hem. middendorfii.	The Japan hybrids originally came from Dr G Darrow. The Japan Hybrids look like a larger version of the common H middendorfii. They are not tetraploids and exhibit the short squat bract characteristic of H middendorfii species.
Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus(flava)
Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus the so-called Lemon Lily this daylily species is also quite early although consistently blooming after Hemerocallis dumortieri and Hemerocallis middendorfii. The color is a clear lemon yellow and has a distinct fragrance. This daylily has a somewhat spreading habit but is a slow grower here in Vermont. One of the first daylilies introduced into the U. S., it is sometimes found near old abandoned cellar holes, a testament to daylily's longevity.	Hem.lilioasphodelus was originally called Hem flava refering to it's lemony scent.	The spreading habit is not particularly vigorous and so creates loose clumps. Hem lilioasphodelus seems to prefer a damper location as well.
Hemerocallis lilio. cont.
Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus 'Major Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus 'Major is a larger type of Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus. Blooms are larger with more substance	Hem flava 'Major' has larger denser foliage in a greater clump effect.	Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus is characterized by round seed pods, lemon yellow trumpet shaped blooms and a distinct fragrance.

Hemerocallis species have some issues as to true identification. The various species interbreed very easily and can produce offspring which are similar to the parents but with differences in bloomtime, shape and color. The daylilies described on these pages are our best guess as to species types. Some of the species originated from Dr. George Darrow, others were acquired from additional sources. We are constantly looking for new species or new sources for some of the same species in order to verify the true identity of the species.

There are some species which we can't grow here in Vermont as they are evergreen and dont survive the winter. Other species such as H. sempervirens and H. lilioasphodelus are slow increasers but survive the winters just fine.

There is also a daylily species named after Dr George Darrow. its is called Hemerocallis darrowiana. It has never been grown in cultivation and is only found on the Sakhalin Island which is north of Japan.

This link will tell you a little more about this daylily H. darrowiana

Hem. citrina vespertina hybrids tower over the other daylilies around them.

Hemerocallis fulva

Hemerocallis fulva Commonly known as the Orange Roadside Lily, the Ditch Lily or even Tigerlily is probably the best known daylily in the U.S. if not the world. With an aggressive spreading habit and tall showy orange blooms, it never fails to make an impression. Linda, a Hem fulva hybrid developed by Dr Stout in the 1930's has many of the characteristics of H. fulva but not the invasive spreading habit.	Hemerocallis fulva: The spreading habit is clearly visiible as are the tall scapes	Hemerocallis fulva 'Kwanso 'is a spreading variant with double blossoms. Below is the rarer variegated version of "Kwanso'. The variegated leaves can revert and so the all green shoots must be removed in order to retain a variegated stand
Hemerocallis hakuensis
Hemerocallis hakuensis begins blooming in early July here in Vermont. Hem hakuensis produces numerous orange-yellow trumpet-shaped blooms. Good growth and high seed set are characteristic of this species.	Hemerocallis hakuensis can produce up to 35 buds per scape and blooms well into August.	Hem. hakuensis and Hem citrina vespertina blooming side by side, July 29 2008.H. hakuensis is in full bloom whereas H. citr vespertina is just beginning.
Hemerocallis altissima
Hem. altissima produces lemon yellow blooms on scapes up to 5-6 feet tall.	Hem. altissima produces masses of upward facing blooms in mid July.	The foliage of Hem. altissima like most of the H. citrina complex is tall vigorous and seems to be very disease resistant.
Hemerocallis citrina
Hemerocallis citrina Also called the Citron lily has a lemony scent and is nocturnal. Flowers open late in the day and remain open through midday the next day. Trumpet shape,lemon yellow spider-like blooms are typical of H. citrina. Here H. ctrina blooms along with Geranium 'Johnson's Blue", July 8, 2007.	Hem. citrina exhibits much variation. Above is a H. citrina type we discovered. This H. citrina was photographed at Tranquil Lake Nursery in Mass.	Strong growth and tall vigorous foliage is typical of all H. citrina types.
Hemerocallis citrina vespertina
Hemerocallis citrina vespertina is an a variant of H. citrina and depending on the taxonomy is a subspecies or a seperate species. Extremely tall with wide branching it makes a wonderful show and has huge breeding potential	Hem. citr. vesp. blooms from mid July into the end of August.	Hemerocallis citr. vesp. typically has 4" trumpet shaped blooms but through hybridization a large variation of size and shape can be achieved.

A Three Generation Family Farm
Organically Growing Hardy Daylilies
Located in the Foothills of Vermont's Green Mountains.

Welcome to Olallie Daylily Gardens

February 2, 2015
Well first snow was nothing but we got over 12 inches today.
Updated prices and inventory!


The daylily field February 2015

This year we will be featuring an art retrospective

with 30 years of work by Ellen Darrow and Chris Darrow

Pinterst page of Ellen/Aho and C Darrow's pots.

We are growers of hardy field grown plants. We have shipped throughout the US and even to Europe and Asia.  We have customers in in virtually every state including Alaska, Texas, Hawaii and of course all of New England.

Our Daylily Catalog: The Complete Palette of Daylily Choices: Unique, Special and Choice

The daylilies we offer are truly unique to the daylily world, most are available exclusively from the collection of Dr. George Darrow

Who We Are:

Chris taking notes in the field

We are longtime organic growers who are continuing the work of Dr. George Darrow. We offer a large selection of daylilies that provides a complete palette of daylily possibilities in an easy-to-use framework. Our approach simplifies your search for the right daylily for your garden. We also supply a wealth of information to educate you the grower as to how best select and grow daylilies.
We grow well over 2500 varieties of daylilies and are breeding new possibilities by the hundreds every year. We select plants based on their hardiness, vigor and performance.

Olallie Daylily Gardens Facebook Page.
Check out our videos on dividing daylilies as well as aerials of the field

We Love Visitors!

A Day in the Country

The daylilies blooming season runs from June through September. Peak Season is in July-August with thousands of blooms

This map should help guide you through the winding Vermont roads.
If you are coming and want to pick up a large order, please call in advance, so we can have it ready when you get here. There are many other daylilies to see which are not available through the catalog.

We also maintain over four hundred high bush blueberries. Pick your own from mid July through August. They're organic and delicious. Visitors are welcome to stroll the fields, pick blueberries, and explore.

The main six-acre field brims with daylilies and other perennials and annuals. Grass paths meander through the beds of flowers. Bring a picnic, there are picnic tables and benches and tables with market umbrellas for your use.

We plant, grow, dig and pack our daylilies by hand so you get fresh, hardy, quality plants shipped the same day they were dug. If you're coming to see for yourself, we'll dig them while you wait (even in the rain)!
Buy from us because...

Our plants are field grown in organic compost-enriched soils. The daylilies are proven hardy in our rugged cold climate, with no protective mulch and no chemical sprays. We give them only water, natural fertilizers, and hand weeding. While originating in Maryland,, our VT daylilies have adapted to the harsh Vermont winter with no protection, making them well suited to most regions.

Planting instructions are sent for easy care and cultivation. You'll get the individual attention of a small family farm, because we hope you'll tell your friends about us. Daylilies live virtually forever. So to that end, invest wisely in the future of your garden. Choose northern grown farm raised daylilies with the heritage of Darrow daylilies.

More about daylilies...
If you want to learn more about gardening with daylilies, the early development of daylily hybrids, joining the daylily society, the origins of daylilies in the wild, or early uses of the daylily, we have that information available for you.

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