by Lydia Holley May 10, 2021
Few people know any of the lines from A Streetcar Named Desire except the most famous yell, “Stella! Stella!” However, many gardeners are familiar with the most popular daylily of all, Stella de Oro. It is used in both personal gardens and commercial plantings.
There are several reasons Stella de Oro is so widely used. It reblooms with bright golden flowers. Growing to only two feet tall, its miniature form is perfect for edgings, containers, or as an addition to most garden styles. It grows in zones three through nine, so it can take the heat as well as the cold.
Even though Stella de Oro was introduced forty-six years ago, in 1975, time has not faded gardeners’ love for this daylily. In addition to the American Hemerocallis Society (AHS) Popularity Poll, it has also won the AHS Honorable Mention, AHS Society Award of Merit for outstanding beauty and performance over a wide area of the country, AHS Donn Fischer
Memorial Cup for best miniature, and the AHS Silver Stout Medal, which is the highest honor given by the AHS.
Stella de Oro will grow best in full sun, although it can also be planted in part sun. It will go dormant in winter. In spring its foliage will emerge before it starts to flower with its bright, eyecatching blooms. Stella de Oro means Star of Gold, and it lives up to its name. Considered an early bloomer, in late spring it will reward you with new blooms each day. The flowers stay open for a long time, up to 16 hours, and every day brings new flowers for you to enjoy.
This daylily can look beautiful contrasted with purple, such as with Dutch irises, salvias, coneflowers, or Russian sage. Consider pairing it with Shasta daisies or yarrow. It can also be placed in front of white or bright-colored roses. Its grass-like foliage contrasts well with many other plants.
When you add Stella de Oro daylily to your garden, you, too, may yell, “Stella!” But instead of a scream of frustration, yours will be a cheer of joy.
For more information, call 903-675-6130, email hendersonCMGA@gmail.com.
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