I'm starting to realize that I'm helplessly drawn toward daylilies that sort of mimic other flowers. Since so few flowers can do well in my harsh climate or have other drawbacks here (toxic or harmful to dogs who like to eat the garden, etc), I long for daylily pretenders ... daylily cultivars that look a bit like a rose, a carnation, a peony ... but that naturally have their wonderful daylily hardy, easy care and would lend my garden some impression of variety. I've found a few, but am curious if you have some daylily favorites that also make you think of other flowering plants when you see their blooms?

can you name some carnation-like, peony-like, rose-like, and any others-like that are "daylily great pretenders"?

Char, who is a moderator here with me, wrote an excellent article here on ATP about the sculpted forms. If you scroll down a ways, you'll see photos of a form where the petals stand straight up - it is a form I am particularly interested in.

I think this form looks something like a tulip or a Siberian Iris or something.

http://garden.org/ideas/view/C...

Kay Day



Apricot Cream Truffle


Signature Truffle


Dutch Yellow Truffle


Jerry Pate Williams


Nature's Crown

Juli, do you mean Van Gogh's Ear?

Lyle, really like Jerry Pate Williams.

Debra, all four in that group have that trait.. My favorite is Nude Yoga.

I really like Jerry Pate Williams too, and I was lucky enough to find one for sale locally last year. Can't wait to see it bloom!

I know that I've seen a daylily that always reminds me of a pansy, but I can't remember the name of it. It is gorgeous!

First , this is Melanie Mason's picture! A few years ago ( back in 2008, I think) Melanie, Michael Bouman and I collaborated on putting together the Power Point for Garden Judges I Workshop. We were looking for pictures to illustrate BAD characteristics in daylilies, such as those that get "hooked up" with the fancy edges and don't open correctly. I told Michael and Melanie I didn't take those pictures on "bad hair" days, but Melanie found this image of a daylily she'd seen in her garden:


Upon seeing this image, I laughed hysterically and told her she'd invented a new daylily form, the "bearded iris" form! This picture still makes me laugh because it looks like a bearded iris to me!
What do you think?

Ooooo ... lovelies!!!

Kay Day and the colors in Nature's Crown; just beautiful. Mother Upduff and Nude Yoga also so lovely and going on my list!

Natalie, I have the feeling I also saw one or some that resemble a pansy, but cannot remember it now to find it again! Any help from others with names appreciated :}

OMG - OMG - OMG ... Melanie Mason's Seedling!!! I absolutely LOVE it! It does indeed tell my eyes that they are viewing a darling bearded iris (and I avoid Iris because they are dog-toxic and need too much water/protection here). I'm assuming I might be able to ask her if the seedling still exists, Julie? ... or, if not, any ideas of a similar "BAD" fancy edged daylily I might explore? :D Yummmmy!

It sure does look like an Iris.

What a great thread idea!

And yes, that "bad" picture looks remarkably like an iris. ~Jan

I have all the ones Lyle shows, except apricot truffle. I love them all. I know Ive said it a hundred times,Dutch Yellow is one of my top five..maybe top three, daylilies. I love it.

Melanie didn't state that it was a seedling of hers, but just a picture of hers. The picture could have been a registered cultivar from anyone, for all I know!! If it WAS a seedling of Melanies, I doubt seriously she would keep a poor opener in her breeding program, That picture is still in the GJ I Power Point to illustrate PMO's ( Poor morning openers.)

Ay-yup, looks like a bearded iris to me, too, Julie.

Dear Hybridizers,

Please oh please do not throw out your next BAD PMO fringed seedlings!

There are some of us who will PAY dearly for your misfortune, shame, and disappointment!

Southport

Double Me

Wow Sandy! That Double Me looks like someone glued several together! ~Jan

This one is a favorite that looks like a peony or perhaps a lotus it is Precious Beginnings.