Day Lily Stella d’Oro
Common names: “Stella d’Oro daylily”, “Stella Doro daylily”, “Stella d Oro daylily”, “Stella de Oro”
Botanical name: Hemerocallis derives from the Greek, hemera, “day,” plus kallos, “beauty”
General information:
Daylilies are herbaceous, clump forming, perennials. Most flowers bloom for a day, but there are several buds on each scape (leafless stalk). Dormant daylilies die back completely in winter.
Characteristics
‘Stella De Oro’ (Jablonski, 1975); diploid
Stella de Oro is a vigorous, free flowering, dormant daylily. It bears circular, bright yellow/gold flowers on erect scapes. This compact easy care plant is used as a border, in drifts or mass plantings, partnered with other perennials, great in small gardens or containers. This drought tolerant perennial is pest and rabbit resistant.
Size: Height 11″; width 18”
Flowers: Bloom 2.75″; gold self with very small green throat, slightly fragrant
Bloom time: Earliest bloomer; rebloom; late spring to autumn
Leaves: Arching strap-shaped green leaves
Pests and Disease Problems:
Daylily Rust: Moderately Susceptible (USDA)
Since its discovery in 2000, daylily rust (Puccinia hemerocallidis) has been found in daylilies in over half of the United States. The infection does not kill daylilies and, according to the All-American Daylily Selection Council (AADSC), can be avoided by proper selection and horticultural practices. In a worst-case scenario, daylily rust can be controlled by treatment of the susceptible varieties.
Daylilies infected by Puccinia hemerocallidis show unsightly rust spots and yellowing, mainly on older foliage. The rust is confined to the foliage and bloom stalks (scapes) and has not been shown to enter the crown or roots. Puccinia spores spread quickly by wind, on clothing and infected plants, but do not infect other plant species.
According to Texas A&M AgriLife, the worst rust symptoms appear on daylilies grown in high humidity with poor air circulation and nighttime overhead watering. Daylily rust spores require 100 percent humidity and temperatures between 40 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit for five to six hours in order to germinate. If germination does not occur within two to three days, the spore dies. If germination occurs, infection can lie dormant within green tissue until optimal conditions arise. It appears that spores do not survive outdoors in winters colder than USDA Zone 6, making daylily rust more of a problem in warmer areas.
Growing in North Texas
Daylilies require morning sun for the bloom to open, however they do not thrive in afternoon sun. The best location is in full morning sun and full afternoon shade. Daylilies do not like wet, soggy soil. They perform best when planted in raised beds rich in organic material. Daylily rust (Puccinia hemerocallidis) appears on plants grown in high humidity, poor air circulation and nighttime overhead watering.
Plant them only to the base of the crown. The crown is right above the roots where the plant gradually changes from white to green. Do not plant deeper than where the plant is green. Remove old blooms gently, but never cut the scape (leafless stalk with the buds). Wait until it turns brown and then gently pull it loose. Cut the foliage after it dies to the ground in late fall or early winter.
Daylilies should be divided every three to five years. Division is best done in early spring, as new shoots appear or in late fall after the plants are dormant. To avoid damage to feeder roots, dig the whole plant and separate with spading forks inserted back to back to pry apart the individual plants.
Warning: Hemerocallis is toxic to cats. It is non-toxic to dogs.
References:
American Hemerocallis Society; ‘Stella De Oro’ (Jablonski, 1975); diploid
“The American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants”; Christopher Brickell and Judith D. Zuk, Editors-in-Chief; DK Publishing, Inc.; 1996
Texas A&M AgriLife: Daylily Rust – An Avoidable Nuisance
“General Care for South Central Texas Daylilies”; By Mark Carpenter of the San Antonio Daylily Society
Keywords (tags): Perennial, border, container, companion, part sun, part shade, easy, vigorous, drought tolerant, pest resistant, rabbit resistant, toxic cats