Small & Miniature-Flowered Daylilies
A guide to compact, dwarfing and patio daylilies
This invaluable and versatile group of varieties is differentiated by flowers that must be 3.5” or less in size. Height wise they typically grow to around 10-16” with a few being around 18”.
Uses in the garden and on the patio
The key here is the reduced height of the flower stems which is considerably shorter than most larger flowered varieties and this is mirrored also in the generally more compact clump forming habit. This makes them ideal for more exposed positions where wind damage mjght ordinarily be an issue. And the smaller stature is perfect for smaller and more confined spaces. The smaller flower size enables them to bloom their socks off. The vast majority will flower more than once during the course of the summer with some rewarding with an almost perpetual blooming habit with only brief pauses between flushes. This makes them very hard working and colourful additions – especially valuable where space is at a premium.
Raised beds and borders
Can be utilised with varieties planted either individually, in groups of 3 – better still for effect – or for a real statement planted with just one variety. A minimum soil depth of around 15-18” is recommended and this can be standard improved topsoil or a general purpose compost mix with added organic matter. As the plants mature additional irrigation is recommended to keep them blooming and reducing stress during warmer weather. A spacing of 15-18” is about right.
In pots and planters
Amazing for container work! I would recommend a 4 litre capacity container. Dimension is less important than capacity and it’s easier to use volume as a measure because of course pots come in different shapes diameter and depth but volume js constant. Plant in a hearty loam based mix for preference. Standard potting compost is fine but will require more watering as it doesn’t have as much ‘body’ Additional feeding – during the course of the growing season only – will ensure even more blooms. Although very easy and undemanding, as with most plants, the kinder you are then the more generous the display. Feeding is most easily provided with the addition of a slow release granular tablet such as Osmocote which is freely available online or at most larger Garden Centres. You can also apply a foliar feed if desired, this does has a faster effect as it is absorbed more quickly and also promotes good foliage lustre. One plant is generally sufficient for a 4 litre pot in the long term as they do clump but if preferred 3 plants can be used but these will need dividing and separating in a couple of years so the container doesn’t get too congested which will lead to a decrease in flower production.
If desired you can use containers of double the capacity and plant 3 or 5 plants for a really bold display. I always think using the same variety in one container is more showy than a mix.
Edging a path or border
Again provide a spacing of 15” between plants. Single variety usage is especially effective but you can use a mix of varieties if preferred.
Aftercare
The general principals are the same as with the larger flowered kinds.
Dead heading will encourage more flowers as it does with most plants. I like to go over them early each morning removing the previous days spent flowers. This creates a nice clean display and ensures opening blooms have space to develop and open fully. But this task is an essential if you don’t have the time.
At the end of the season – September or October – give the plants a haircut by cutting back to just above soil. This cleans them up and gets rid of any pests and diseases. The evergreen and semi evergreen types will quickly provide new growth before winter sets in. The dormant varieties will of course wait until Spring before bursting into fresh new growth. Plants grown in the open ground will benefit from a good feed early in the Spring to start them growing well. A well balanced NPK fertilizer is fine, gently raked into the soil. Or you can use bonemeal or growmore. For plants grown in pots and containers see the notes above.
My top ten small and miniature-flowered Daylilies
A hard task to choose but with much soul searching and deliberation these are my top picks! I have tried to evaluate based on performance but inevitably there are some personal favourites here too!!
10. Double Cutie
Valuable as one of the few truly double flowered small flowered varieties. It doesn’t have re-blooming tendencies but the form is very consistent and I like to clear lemon yellow colouring and posy like formation of every perfect flower.
9. Little Grapette
Famous and justifiably so with a fine show of grape purple flowers. The best in this colour range by far, the plant habit is exemplary with a good show of flower opening just over the foliage canopy. An award winning variety of some standing.
8. Stella D'Oro
One of the most widely planted and famous of ALL varieties so why doesn’t it rank higher than number 8? Because although typically known as one of the most perpetually blooming of all, the plant clumps so quickly it does become congested and bloom production starts to ease. So it’s a variety that needs frequent dividing to give of it’s best whereupon it will provide an almost constant show of bright yellow flowers almost all summer long.
7. Purple D'Oro
A recent variation of the above variety with clear purple flowers. Very free flowering and more perpetual than Little Grapette – a very good variety and well worth including in any list.
6. SpaceCoast Tiny Perfection
One of the newer varieties in the small and mini class and brings exemplary form branching to the group. The flowers are fulsome and ruffled with excellent waxy texture and a soft apricot golden colouring. Produces a fine show year in year out * top class *
5. Siloam Virginia Henson
There are any number of ‘Siloam’ prefix varieties, many of which are small flowered and it would be impossible not to pick at least one and this is my favourite. The flowers are nicely circular, soft apricot-pink with a bold rose eye.
4. Berty Ferries
An irresistible charmer with it’s clear apricot persimmon colouring, gentle fragrance and generously blooming habit. Exceptionally hardy dormant grower, a fine site drifted through a border, for container work etc. Should be included in any shortlist of mini’s.
3. Everydaylily Orange
The Everydaylily Orange is a new selection of constantly blooming small flowered varieties that have good habit and flower form. Everydaylily Orange is the best of these in my opinion and is a very showy trooper for any area and one of the most noticeable performers on the Nursery here.
2. Everydaylily Bronze
As above but I think the terracotta bronze colouring – very ‘on trend’ at present – works so well in the border and is great for combining with hot colours making it easy to work with but also of considerable value and appeal on it’s own for pot work etc. A personal favourite.
1. Mini Pearl
Here we are. My absolute favourite! Nicely formed pearl pink flowers with a touch of apricot held just nicely over the foliage. Mini Pearl always produced a long and considered display. A special feature is the foliage which must rank amongst the best of any variety being a fine dark green.
Other varieties of special note: Pandora’s Box, Happy Returns, Everydaylily Coral, Corky, Golden Chimes, Green Flutter, Yellow Lollipop, Pardon Me.
