Defining early bloom times in daylilies
Many consider Stella D'Oro to be the marker for the beginning of the early daylily season. Here in Vermont Stella D'Oro begins blooming some time during the third 
week of June. We consider any daylily that begins blooming before Stella D'Oro an extra early bloomer. Daylilies that begin bloom around the same time as Stella D'Oro are considered early bloomers
Early and Extra early blooming daylilies are limited in type and color
Particularly extra early bloomers. The vast majority of daylily cultivars bloom in mid July through mid August here in Vermont. Of the daylilies that bloom around the same time as Stella D'Oro or before, there was little variation in color, form or habit. The colors are mostly yellow and gold shades with a trumpet form.
Uses of early blooming daylilies
Early blooming daylilies and Extra Early bloomers can add a whole new dimension to the garden. Daylilies are excellent for forming a flower backbone or base from which to work around. Use them as you would a bulb; rely on them for consistent late spring bloom. Extremely hardy plants, they are not eaten by rodents and are very adaptable. The varied hues of yellow in the early daylilies contrast nicely with the blues, purples and whites of Siberian Iris, Campanulas , Tradescantia, and Centaureas which also bloom in June.
Eastern Sunburst very early pigmented hybrid An Early Orange hued daylily Early Bird one of the first pigmented daylilies to bloom
Where do the earliest daylily hybrids come from?
The earliest of all daylilies are of course species. H. middendorfii, H. middendorfii and H. lilioasphedelus (flava) are the three species that are commonly found and extremely early. These early blooming species are consistent growers, performers and bloomers. Almost like bulbs these daylilies appear and bloom early in the season. Because of this early blooming, they can tolerate a bit of shade as there is a bit more sun at that time of the year.
The other great attribute is that there are many blue shade perennials blooming in June.
Campanula, Baptisia, Tradescantia, and Iris are just a few blue hued daylilies blooming early in the season. Additionally the early blooms make a great backbone for annuals such as Chinese Forget Me not, Allysum and more.
What we are doing at Olallie is vastly increasing the selection of early types. We are growing;
Colors: Yellows from butter to pale lemon yellow, Additionally recognizing the lack of other colors, we are working on reds and a variety of eyezone types.
Forms: Trumpet to star shaped to spidery.
Sizes: From 4" pony size to giant 6" blooms (rare in early bloomers).
Height: Scapes up to 38" with others at 18" are held just above the foliage.
As with many of the cultivars we are hybridizing, we like the simple clean lines of the species-like forms making the earlies we are developing easy to fit into a garden planting without looking too formal.
Another characteristic that has appeared on some of our early cultivars is dark reddish scapes and buds. This characteristic adds to the decorative feature of these cultivars. Even before the flowers open the red buds are like a garnet amongst the green.
As with many of the cultivars we are hybridizing, we like the simple clean lines of the species-like forms making the earlies we are developing easy to fit into a garden planting without looking too formal.
Another characteristic that has appeared on some of our early cultivars is dark reddish scapes and buds. This characteristic adds to the decorative feature of these cultivars. Even before the flowers open the red buds are like a garnet amongst the green.
