One of the coolest daylilies I cannot find around here is Golden Zebra. The patent expires in 2023, so I figure it will be up on the LA around then.
Patented daylilies cannot legally be propagated through asexual means (i.e. splitting a clump) so I figure that is why I never see it anywhere. I just hope hybridizers are stocking up to have enough to sell me in 2023! Apparently available at Lowes (according to the website), but not to me or anyone I know. I have no idea if it is even a dip or tet. But the variegated foliage is stunning.

https://www.monrovia.com/golde...

https://www.missouribotanicalg...

When it first came out I think I recall some people said it was not particularly hardy in cold climates. When I click on your link for Monrovia it gives me a "your climate may be too cold for this" alert, so that seems to tie in.

It's registered as a dip.

I found one for sale during the summer 2018 @ an Ontario retailer - looking small but OK in its pot .... Curious, like yourself, the variegated foliage was the appeal for me. It had one short scape with one unimpressive fading bloom. (Tagged as sourced from 'Monrovia'.)

Seemed to be OK - but NOT very 'enthusiastic' that first season ... Didn't seem very happy again during the following seasons ... And then didn't make it through our last winter (Good snow cover BUT without special protection) .... Officially moved it to my 'DIED' list after the winter of '20>'21. ..... I'm NOT interested in trying 'Golden Zebra' hereabouts again.

Suggestion would be to give it more individual care in the ground inside a cold-frame or cool greenhouse. Good luck. Perhaps I was simply too nonchalant with it. Let yours KNOW you really care .....

If you just want the foliage, 'Abbey Dore Court' is very hardy, so far mine hasn't reverted to green. The flower looks like a slightly paler 'Variegated Kwanso' but unlike 'Kwanso' it doesn't run. It's registered as diploid but, given it is so like a more civilized 'Kwanso' , I wonder if it might be triploid.

sooby said:If you just want the foliage, 'Abbey Dore Court' is very hardy, so far mine hasn't reverted to green. The flower looks like a slightly paler 'Variegated Kwanso' but unlike 'Kwanso' it doesn't run. It's registered as diploid but, given it is so like a more civilized 'Kwanso' , I wonder if it might be triploid.

• Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Abbey Dore Court')
• Uploaded by kkaymci55

Thanks for the tip. Looks good, and I have never heard of ADC before. I was also considering the "Secured Borders" one (I know of a seller) but have heard that is also a bit wimpy, like the Golden Zebra.

Sue and Wildbirds - re. hardiness of Golden Zebra, I have been growing it for over fifteen years now and have never given it any special treatment/protection. I agree it's slow to bulk up but well worth it.


I even like the flowers


GZ is at the front of this bed that gets over six foot of snow dumped on it every winter from the driveshed roof behind.

On the other hand, Kwanso variegata is definitely a runner but it too, with the occasional restraining, is well worth it.

Clearly the pics above are not this year's (Zone 4b ) so here is one from this morning of a small clump;

Nice bright foliage on those, Valerie!

Lovely, Valerie! I would think the six feet of snow likely helps insulate it in winter.

It probably does Sue but the weight is extreme. The evergreen hems in this bed are growing already by the time the snow melts so they are really yellow, slimy and ugly early on. I do have GZ in other beds that are not under six feet of snow