I bought this daylily 10-15 years ago before I really knew much about them, so I didn't keep the tag or note the name. (I now have 29 with name stakes by 27, so I have done much better.) Later when I tried to identify it, "Black Eyed Susan" sounded familiar, and I was pretty sure that was it. However, I've recently seen Fooled Me, which I think looks practically identical, and now I have my doubts. I'm wondering if I'm just remembering wrong, or it was mislabeled, or they just really are that similar that I've totally overthought it. I really don't remember reading "Fooled Me" on any labels back then, but it was a long time ago. Does anyone know how to tell them apart or how to confirm which one I have?

Looks a lot like Fooled Me to me. Fooled Me has a fine red edge like this one. I don't think Black Eyes Susan has a red edge that goes all the way around.

I would say start with the measurements. Both cultivars have 5.5" blooms, of the same color scheme. Black Eyed Susan is 26" tall, but Fooled Me is only 24".

The main difference seems to be the red edge. Fooled Me seems to have what I've seen described as a "half picotee" of the eye color. Most pics of Black Eyed Susan don't seem to have much of an edge.

One man's opinion! (I read Tim's reply, which said much the same thing, AFTER I posted mine. Ugh!)

Tim,

Jinx! You owe me a Coke!

Thanks. You have confirmed my suspicions. It hasn't bloomed yet, but I will measure the height to confirm when it does.

pasdejus said:I bought this daylily 10-15 years ago before I really knew much about them, so I didn't keep the tag or note the name. (I now have 29 with name stakes by 27, so I have done much better.) Later when I tried to identify it, "Black Eyed Susan" sounded familiar, and I was pretty sure that was it. However, I've recently seen Fooled Me, which I think looks practically identical, and now I have my doubts. I'm wondering if I'm just remembering wrong, or it was mislabeled, or they just really are that similar that I've totally overthought it. I really don't remember reading "Fooled Me" on any labels back then, but it was a long time ago. Does anyone know how to tell them apart or how to confirm which one I have?

Hi @pasdejus!
I'm a newbie at Daylilies, so I am no authority, this is purely opinion. I too have been trying to identify a NoID that looks very similar to yours. After scouring the internet including this site, I THINK I have Black Eyed Susan. Here is a pic of one of my blooms from my last scape standing:




I have also seen Fooled Me many times in my search and I believe it has more rounded petals than Black Eyed Susan's, which are more tapered. Mine does have thin purplish edging just on the inner half or so of the petals, and none on the sepals. It looks like Fooled Me has somewhat more prominent edging all around. So, it looks like we both may have gotten our IDs! Happy gardening! 😊

My bet goes on 'Fooled Me', which has a rounder eye and red edge. Here are a couple of my pics of 'Fooled Me'.

You are all correct. Pasdejus has Fooled Me and MrsMud have Black Eyed Susan. I grow both. Vickie absolutely love both of those pictures.

Thanks Mike! Glad that you grow both and could confirm that. Sometimes daylilies look so similar that the only way to get a positive ID is to grow both plants.