I realize this thread was a few years ago, but when it comes to Stargate Portal, I will still toss my ten cents in. I love this daylily!
I have been growing Stargate Portal for several years in zone 3, it's easily cold-hardy for northern gardens. That said, it does seem to take at least its first year to really settle in. But it has grown well here and had reasonable increase, the fans have more than doubled in the past several years... which, actually, makes it a better increaser here than most of my other daylilies. So perhaps it likes a cooler climate.
I do get a rich green foliage, no pests and (zone 3) no issues with rust. But few gardeners plant for foliage, whereas most are looking for the blooms... The scapes do have good height and bloom from mid to late season reliably. And Stargate Portal is gorgeous!
The cream throat bleeds out into the sepals and forms a distinct triangle across the petals that contrasts with and accents the blue-toned watermark like a framed Master's oil painting. The watermark is consistent, that blue-lavender verges almost on royal purple ... and indeed, looks regal across the gardens.
This is not a shy wallflower at the ball, but dances spectacularly above the surrounding border and swirls and curtseys to every breeze. In short: it's stunning. The fact that it also happens to add fragrance is superfluous ... it doesn't need to tease the nose, or enchant the viewer with tricks or come-ons, it flashes that lovely face and bedazzles you from any angle.
Absolutely one of my top five!
