EE & E daylilies (Plus L & VL) are selectively bred to perform on 'the shoulders' of the usual or normal daylily bloom period. ('Normal' hereabouts would be about mid-June through early August) Consequently, for EE & E cultivars, breeders select for the usual desired plant & bloom characteristics that go hand-in-hand with such timing.
Here in Z5 (Canada - Z4 USA) that means relatively cool nights/mornings in late May & early June (Sometimes experiencing even light frosts and - although rarely - even a light 'thin' snowfall!). The plants a typical daylily breeder would select from his seedlings are therefore genetically adapted to develop quickly (Foliage & scapes) immediately after winter has retired, & for the bloom to open properly - at least by mid morning - despite the temperature being in the low-mid teens (Celsius). Considering that most daylilies want summer temps in order to flourish & to bloom with fully opened petals/sepals, true EE + E varieties are clearly exceptions. They respond well & quickly - rapidly even in some examples - to early spring conditions of cold soils & cool atmosphere plus less direct 'heat' from the sun's rays. It has been my experience that a display of such EE & E types is able to look more-or-less like any July mid-season display, but with an exception or two .....
Considering diploids (I don't follow tets at this time), most EE & E cultivars are in the yellow & gold colour range at present plus are usually small blooms. However, breeders like Wetzel have added 'Penguin Promenade' (White + purple eye) & 'Spring Flair' (Yellow w/red eye); Huben has tossed in a recent big red with his 'Begin With A Bang'; Zettek & Rood have given us unusual dark blends - difficult to describe - of mahogany & purple & cream ... (Wonderful small blooms - look them up); Huben introduced an apricot ('Early And Often') a few years ago. There is also Kirchoff's 'Cosmic Hummingbird' with it's copper/orange & red eye to add variety. With yellows/golds we have Saxton's 'Joy Of Spring' and Sobek's 'Three Seasons' ... Both Huben & Wetzel have AHS Registered near-whites (several) and Apps has given us a number of cultivars that open toward the end of the EE & E period ('Endless Heart' (Red); Happy Returns; Rosy returns; Apricot Returns; etc.) and Sobek has given us shades of pink with his 'In Strawberry Time' plus 'First Rose Of Summer'. And there are more .....
To locate EE & E cultivars, simply do an 'Advanced' search (AHS Database) selecting those specific criteria. Such precocious blooming daylilies are certainly able to add weeks to your annual bloom display. Toss in a few L & VL and add on even more ...
