Golden daylilies (Hemerocallis sp.) are currently providing an unusual winter show around the Ike (the reflective pond) in Shoyoen, Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden. This tough drought tolerant herbaceous perennial usually flowers from spring to autumn.
The name Hemerocallis comes from two Greek words “hēmera” (day) and “kalos” (beauty). This alludes to the showy flowers which typically last no more than 24 hours.
Although individual flowers are short-lived each plant produces many flowers, so displays can last for weeks.
Hemerocallis is a small genus of 15 species native to temperate East Asia. There are many thousands of modern hybrid cultivars. Originally, the only colours were yellow, orange, and fulvous red. Now the range of colours available includes near-whites, pastels, yellows, oranges, pinks, vivid reds, crimson, purple, nearly true-blue, and fabulous combinations.
Daylilies are popular ornamental plants and have been cultivated in British gardens for centuries. The English herbalist John Gerard wrote in his Herball (1597), “These lilies do grow in my garden, as also in the gardens of Herbarists, and lovers of fine and rare plants”
William Curtis, writing in Curtis’s Botanical Magazine in 1788, stated that “few plants thrive better in any soil or situation”. Although this attribute makes daylilies popular as a garden plant, it has also resulted in environmental problems. In the United States and Canada, for example, daylilies have escaped from cultivation and have become naturalised so successfully that they are now classed as invasive.
All parts of the plant are said to be edible but it is important to use caution as some parts contain a neurotoxin. Cattle and sheep can be paralysed if they eat the rhizomes and the leaves can cause kidney failure in cats.
Dried daylily petals, called “golden needles,” are used in numerous Chinese dishes.
The flowers and rhizomes are also used medicinally.
By Ian McAlister & Karen Hagan