daylily
Plant details:
Genus & species: Hemerocallis fulva, wild type and 'Kwanso'
Hardiness: Zone 3 to zone 9
Sun: Full sun to part shade, full sun provides the most flowering
Soil type: Will grow in most soil types, prefers a loose soil rich in organic matter
Soil moisture: Average to moist, well-drained
Planting Instructions: Plant 12 - 18 inches apart with the root crown about an inch above the soil line
Orders come as 3 or 12 rooted divisions.
Note: In some ecosystems daylily is categorized as an invasive species. Please consider this when placing an order.
Daylily is an edible perennial plant often found growing wild or at old homestead sites. It provides a few different edible parts in the young leaf shoots, flowers, flower buds, and tuber-like roots. The tender, white-ish base where the leaves converge is a great food once the leaves have gotten tough. They are a diverse perennial vegetable, with many edible parts, and they require little-to-no care.
The Kwanso cultivar has greater vigor and larger flowers than the wild type. In fact, all parts are larger. The flowers are a favorite and are abundant in late Spring. When dried the unopened flower buds make a wonderful, slightly sweet, peppery addition to winter soups, being a rich source of antioxidants during those months when these are harder to find in the landscape. The fat/protein/carbohydrate breakdown of the dried flowers is impressive: 9.3% protein, 25% fat, 60% carbohydrate.
