The Hemerocallis is native to eastern Asia and commonly named daylily. It is a genus from subfamily of the Hemerocallidaceae within the Asphodelaceae family. Before the Hemerocallis was considered to be a genus of the Liliaceae family and later the Hemerocallidaceae where seen as a separate family. After molecular phylogenetic studies it was decided to unite a few families under the Asphodelaceae family and the Hemerocallidaceae is now a subfamily of that family.
The name Hemerocallis comes from the ancient Greek words hemera meaning day and kalos meaning beauty. The flowers of the Hemerocallis only bloom for 1 day (or sometimes 2 days). Hence the name daylily but because many flowers are formed you can enjoy the flowers for quite a long time.
Daylilies have tuberous roots to store water and food in. They spread through rhizomes. One daylily spreads faster than the other. If you want to keep them in their place it is wise to put a rim around them.
The flowers of the Hemerocallis ‘Sammy Russell’ are dark red with a yellow heart. The sunnier the spot the more flowers the daylily gives. The sturdy leafless flower stems of about 28 inches (70 centimetres) high rise above the elongated leaves. The leaves reach a height of about 16 inches (40 centimetres). In February the foliage starts to emerge above ground.
The Hemerocallis ‘Sammy Russell’ is drought, heat and salt tolerant.
Attracts bees: no
Characteristic: newly emerging every year
Exposure: sun/ part shade
Flower colour: red
Flowering time: June – August
Foliage colour: green
Fragrant flower: no
Hardiness: -25 ºC (-13 ºF)
Height: 16 inches (40 cm)
Soil: normal/ dry