The Stunning Beauty of the Hemerocallis Stella de Oro Daylily
If you're looking for a perennial that's guaranteed to add an instant pop of color to your garden, look no further than Monrovia’s Stella de Oro Daylily. This beautiful plant, with its golden-yellow flowers, is a favorite among Georgia gardeners for good reason.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at the history, characteristics, planting, caring, and landscaping of the Hemerocallis Stella de Oro Daylily.
A Brief History of the Stella de Oro Daylily
IMAGE: F. D. Richards, Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro' 2014
Origins of the Hemerocallis Genus
The Hemerocallis genus, commonly known as daylilies, includes over 60,000 registered cultivars. These plants are native to Asia, but have been naturalized all over the world, including in North America, Europe, and Africa.
Daylilies are known for their hardiness and adaptability, making them a popular choice for gardeners. They are also appreciated for their beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers that come in a wide range of colors, from pale yellows and pinks to deep reds and purples.
Creation of the Stella de Oro Cultivar
The Stella de Oro Daylily was created in the 1970s by Walter Lammerts, a renowned hybridizer who was known for his work with roses, peonies, and gladiolus. Lammerts was inspired to create a new daylily cultivar that would have an extended bloom period, be low-growing, and have a high flower count. After years of experimentation and careful breeding, he finally achieved his goal with the creation of the Stella de Oro.
Named for its golden-yellow flowers, which resemble stars in the sky, the Stella de Oro quickly became a favorite among gardeners. Its compact size, long bloom period, and low maintenance requirements made it a perfect choice for both novice and experienced gardeners alike.
The Rise in Popularity of Stella de Oro
Since its introduction, the Stella de Oro Daylily has become one of the most widely grown daylily cultivars, and for good reason. This plant is extremely easy to care for and produces abundant blooms throughout the growing season, making it a favorite among gardeners of all levels.
But the popularity of the Stella de Oro goes beyond its ease of care and stunning flowers. This plant is also known for its versatility, as it can be grown in a variety of settings, from formal gardens to wildflower meadows. It is also a favorite among landscapers, who use it to add a pop of color and texture to their designs.
Overall, the Stella de Oro Daylily is a true gem in the world of gardening. Its beauty, hardiness, and versatility make it a favorite among Atlanta area gardeners and landscapers alike, and its popularity shows no signs of waning anytime soon.
Characteristics of the Stella de Oro Daylily
Flower Features and Colors
The Stella de Oro Daylily is a popular choice among Georgia gardeners due to its stunning golden-yellow flowers. The flowers are about two inches across and have a slight ruffle, which gives them a delicate appearance.
The petals are slightly recurved, giving the flower a slightly star-like shape. The flower's throat is a deeper shade of yellow, and there is a small green button-like structure (called the pistil) in the center of the flower.
One of the best things about the Stella de Oro Daylily is that it produces flowers almost continuously from late spring through the first frost. Individual blooms last for only one day, but each flower stalk produces multiple buds, so there is always something new opening up to replace the spent flowers. This makes it an excellent choice for adding color to your garden throughout the growing season.
Foliage and Growth Habit
The foliage of the Stella de Oro Daylily is just as attractive as its flowers. The leaves are dark green and grass-like, with a slightly arching habit. The leaves grow to be about a foot long and about half an inch wide, and are arranged in a fan-like pattern. As the plant matures, it forms a clump that can be divided every few years to create more plants.
Stella de Oro Daylilies grow to be about 12 to 18 inches tall and wide, making them an excellent choice for the front of a garden bed or border. These plants are also great for container gardening, as they don't take up a lot of space and can add a lot of color to a patio or balcony. In addition, the foliage is evergreen in warmer climates, providing year-round interest.
Bloom Time and Duration
The Stella de Oro Daylily blooms from late spring through the first frost, with individual blooms lasting for one day. However, each flower stalk produces multiple buds, so the plant is almost always in bloom.
The plant's extended bloom period makes it an excellent choice for adding color to your garden throughout the growing season. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and can even grow in partial shade. It is also deer-resistant, making it a great choice for gardens where deer are a problem.
In addition, the Stella de Oro Daylily is a great plant for attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies to your garden. The flowers are a good source of nectar and pollen, which these insects need to survive.
Planting and Caring for Stella de Oro Daylilies
Here are some additional tips for planting and caring for these lovely plants:
Ideal Planting Conditions
While Stella de Oro Daylilies are very forgiving when it comes to growing conditions, there are a few things you can do to ensure that your plants thrive:
- Plant in an area that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
- Choose a location with well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. If your soil is heavy or clay-like, consider amending it with compost or other organic material.
- Space plants about a foot apart to allow for adequate air circulation and room to grow.
Once you've selected the perfect spot for your daylilies, it's time to get planting:
- Dig a hole that's about the same depth as the plant's root ball, and slightly wider.
- Carefully remove the plant from its container and gently loosen any tangled roots.
- Place the plant in the hole and backfill with soil, gently tamping down to remove any air pockets.
- Water the plant deeply to help settle the soil and encourage root growth.
- Mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Watering and Fertilizing Requirements
Stella de Oro Daylilies are fairly drought-tolerant, but they do appreciate regular watering during dry spells. Here are some tips for watering and fertilizing your plants:
- Water deeply and infrequently, rather than shallowly and frequently. This will encourage deep root growth and help your plants withstand periods of drought.
- Avoid getting water on the leaves, as this can encourage the growth of foliar diseases.
- Fertilize your plants lightly in early spring with a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application rates.
Pruning and Deadheading Tips
Deadheading spent blooms is an important part of caring for Stella de Oro Daylilies. Here's how to do it:
- Remove spent flowers along with the flower stalk down to the base of the plant. This will encourage the growth of new buds and promote a longer blooming season.
- In the fall, after the plant has gone dormant, remove any yellow or brown leaves by cutting them back to the base of the plant. This will help prevent overwintering pests and diseases from taking hold.
With a little bit of care and attention, your Stella de Oro Daylilies will reward you with beautiful blooms year after year.
Landscaping Ideas with Stella de Oro Daylilies
Creating a Daylily Border
Because of their low-growing habit and extended bloom period, Stella de Oro Daylilies are an excellent choice for creating a daylily border. Plant the plants about a foot apart in a straight or curved line along the edge of a garden bed or walkway. The result will be a beautiful, colorful display that will last for months.
Mixing with Other Perennials
The Stella de Oro Daylily is a versatile plant that complements a wide range of other perennials.
For a bold and colorful display, mix the daylilies with other bright, sunny perennials from the Monrovia collection, such as coreopsis, coneflowers, or black-eyed Susans. For a more subdued look, mix them with cool-toned plants such as salvia, catmint, or bluebells.
Container Gardening with Stella de Oro
Stella de Oro daylilies are an excellent choice for container gardening, as they don't take up a lot of space and can add a lot of color to a patio or balcony. Choose a pot that's at least 12 inches wide and deep, and plant one or two Stella de Oro Daylily plants per pot. Make sure the pot has good drainage, as these plants don't like to sit in soggy soil.
With its easy-care nature, beautiful blooms, and versatility, Monrovia’s Stella de Oro Daylily is a must-have for any garden in the north-central Georgia region. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, you're sure to appreciate the beauty and resilience of this lovely plant.
Click here if you’d like to purchase this plant.
If you need any advice or tricks/tips in creating the garden of your dreams, we are here to make those dreams come true! Connect with us here, or chat with us via the chat button on the bottom of any page on our website.
To create a landscape that gives you joy every time you walk out your door or look out your window, it’s important to have a design plan in place. Learn more about our elite Designer Marketplace platform, which allows you to select easily from a list of expert landscape designers, landscape architects, and more.
Click here to view more plants from the beautiful Monrovia® collection.