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.
 

 

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.