'Strawberry Candy' daylily

Some vintage daylily varieties are timeless performers.  Strawberry Candy daylily (Hemerocallis x ‘Strawberry Candy’) is a daylily classic, one of the first to open in June in Southern Appalachian gardens (USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7). Its grass-like foliage is semi-evergreen here.

The 4- inch diameter flowers open strawberry pink with a prominent rose red eye and golden green throat. Its 24-26 inch height and spread make it a good fit in almost any landscape situation. Plant it in the front border of the flower bed, grow it in a container, or as a ground cover.  

Flowers bloom almost all day long, from the early morning to late evening. It’s also a re-bloomer, returning in September – October for another brief bloom cycle. For Strawberry Candy to re-bloom, plant(s) must be fertilized and irrigated through summer’s heat and dry spells.

Daylilies thrive in full to partial sunlight (6- hours minimum sun). They grow in any well-drained garden ground, but thrive in moist compost-rich soil. One-year old established plants exhibit good drought and heat tolerance. Strawberry Candy clumps should be divided every 3-5 years in late winter or in early autumn. 

Strawberry Candy is a strong grower and relatively disease and pest resistant. It was introduced in 1989, the creation of daylily breeders Pat and Grace Stamile. It was awarded the prestigious Stout Silver Medal in 1998.