Hemerocallis ‘Karen Sue’ (Daylily)

A very attractive bicolor variety, Hemerocallis ‘Karen Sue’ is a midseason Daylily that produces an abundance of large flowers, 5.5 in. wide (14 cm), with rose-pink ruffled petals, contrasting creamy-white sepals, and a soft lemon yellow throat. Each flower typically lasts no more than 24 hours (thus the common name ‘Daylily’), opening up in the morning and withering during the forthcoming night, possibly replaced by another one on the same scape (flower stalk) the next day. This diploid Daylily is dormant (deciduous).

• Often called the ‘perfect perennial‘ because of its numerous qualities: showy flowers, drought tolerance, heat stress immunity, ability to grow in most hardiness zones, and low care requirements, this Daylily is a remarkable and stunning addition to the garden.
• Blooming in midsummer, this clump-forming deciduous perennial grows up to 20 in. tall (50 cm) and spreads slowly via rhizomes to 18-24 in. (45-60 cm). Do not hesitate to mix this lovely Daylily with other varieties to prolong their color blossoms in the garden. Native to Eurasia, Hemerocallis includes over 60,000 registered cultivars, so you have plenty of choices!
• An ideal choice for shrub borders or perennial beds, as ground covers on slopes or in containers near the patio.
• Thrives in full sun to part sun in average, moist, but well-drained soils. While it performs well in a wide range of soils, fertile loam is preferred. Tolerates heat and summer humidity, but thorough watering is required to ensure its foliage remains attractive.
• Daylilies attract butterflies and hummingbirds but are toxic to cats. Rabbits tend to avoid daylilies.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for mites, aphids, thrips, or daylily rust.
• The best time to plant Daylilies is in early fall or early spring.
• After flowering, remove spent blooms and seedpods to improve the appearance and encourage rebloom. When all the flowers on a scape are finished, cut off the scape close to ground level. Remove dead foliage from daylilies as they die back in the fall.
• Bred by Roberts in 1975, it won the Honorable Mention of the American Daylily Society in 1985.