The evil Orange Daylily

Species name: Hemerocallis fulva

Common name: Orange daylily, tawny daylily, Tiger Lily (although this common name is misapplied)

Location: Ontario

Up until now, I've been profiling daylilies that are cultivars of the same species, Hemerocallis fulva. There are some cultivars that have been back-crossed with another species, but this is relatively rare. This one species of plant already contains all of the genetic variation (plant size, shape, flower size, colour, etc.) needed to produce all of the daylilies we've already seen. Also up until now, none of the previous cultivars profiled have the ability to successfully reproduce from seed (at least, quite rarely) and don't produce extensive rhizome systems underground so have a relatively small chance of becoming invasive.

This species of daylily, the one from which most modern cultivars are derived, is one of the most invasive plants in disturbed areas in the northern half of North America. Unfortunately, a lot of people seem to be under the impression that they're native to this area, and actively propagate this plant in roadside ditches and meadow areas. It's unfortunate when an invasive species is so visually appealing to so many people! The other unfortunate part about this plant is its success at reproduction; unlike many modern cultivars of daylily, this species is incredibly successful at reproducing sexually from seed. It can also successfully reproduce asexually from rhizomes (for example, spreading along the fence in clumps as illustrated in my back yard) and from re-colonization from broken colonies. If you dig a clump of tawny daylily out of the ground, make sure you ensure there's no contact between the roots and the soil below the clump or else it will re-root itself before you can even blink. Fascinating, but not if you like that part of your garden (or lawn!) daylily-free. The tawny daylily is also an excellent competitor for resources with other herbaceous plants in the vicinity, so it will also completely wipe out plant diversity in the area in which you're growing it. Even other "weedy" species have no chance against this plant.

The tawny daylily can also be eaten, but there seems to be a significant difference in taste between this species and the one most commonly used as "golden needles," Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus.

The Superman of the flower world

Species name: Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus

Common name: Daylily

Location: Ontario

This species of daylily is native to China, Russia, Slovenia and Italy, and was one of the very first of the genus Hemerocallis that was used for hybridization and domestication into its thousands of current cultivars. Many species of this genus have the ability to become invasive (such as the Tiger Lily, which many people think is a native North American wildflower), but to my knowledge this is not one of them. One of the qualities of daylilies that makes them not only attractive to gardeners but also very successful in a non-cultivated setting is their ability to withstand many different growing conditions. They can tolerate extreme cold during dormancy periods, and can tolerate extreme heat and dryness during the growing season. Some species can also tolerate periods of flooding, high winds, and frost. For this reason, the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) recognizes this plant as "successful" in hardiness zones 1-11, meaning from Alaska to Puerto Rico and Hawaii! Like Easter lilies, daylilies have three petals and three sepals, but because they're impossible to distinguish when the flower is mature we say there are six tepals.

Daylilies of all species and varieties are incredible potential learning tools when it comes to education about basic genetics. Most cultivars of daylily have the ability to hybridize, and there are quite a few gardeners that attempt every year to "create" their own cultivar by cross-breeding the daylilies in their back yards. I can imagine this being a great activity for kids in a school yard: plant some daylilies and have them grow until they are established (2 seasons at most), then set the kids out with paint brushes, plastic bags and different coloured string when the flowers are mature. Take the paint brush and rub it against the stamens to pick up pollen, then against the stigma to deposit the pollen. Put a plastic bag over the flower and secure with coloured string so you know what flower has been pollinated by who. Allow the fruit to start developing, then remove the plastic bag to let air circulate. Once the fruit is mature, open the pod to release the seeds, plant them in the ground and see what happens! I've heard of some people generating some really unique colour patterns as a result of "borrowing" pollen from daylilies around their neighbourhood and pollinating their own flowers. And who's going to miss a little pollen?!

Surprisingly enough, daylilies are actually a food source in China in some dishes that have become very popular in North America (and some I eat quite often!). The flowers, in China called gum jum or golden needles, are dried and used in hot and sour soup, Buddha's delight, and moo shu pork. There are some cultivars that have edible rhizomes, but others would irritate your stomach lining so it's best not to attempt to consume any of them. Despite this, historically the plant was used in a tea-like preparation to relieve stomach ache!