Dwarf Miniature & Small Daylillies for Containers

Written by Chris Eirschele

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Hemerocallis is commonly called daylily becasue each trumpet shaped flower blooms for one day. The good news is healthy daylily plants grow very many flowers at one time.

Small Sized Daylilies

Daylilies come in many scape heights, flower sizes and overall plant sizes. These plants use less space in a garden or large container.

The daylilies with a short flower stem, called scape, are called dwarf. Dwarf daylilies will have flower scapes up to 12 inches tall. Daylilies described as small or miniature is describing the flower size but may be growing on a plant with a tall scape. The scale of the flower size will look better planted in a small garden but gardeners should check the height of the entire plant, as well.

By definition, small daylilies must have flowers at least 3 but not more than 4 ½ inches in diameter. Miniature daylilies must have flowers less than 3 inches wide.

Specialty Daylilies

Beside the mass-produced daylilies seen planted in large groupings found at many public eateries, daylily enthusiasts like to find colorful hybridized daylilies from specialty growers or nurseries.

Check out the American Hemerocallis Society for a list of hybridizers in a local area. Many hybridizers have plant sales during the summer or can direct gardeners to a grower in the region.

Daylilies are hardy in USDA zones 3 -10. They will over winter in small gardens or with additional protection in a container, for northern growers. Gardeners in warmer climates will be able to grow these plants without the extra maintenance.

Northern container gardeners can make a garden of many daylilies by growing several in a large container. Add spring blooming bulbs and fall flowering annual plants for continuous bloom.

Daylily Photos

Hemerocallis ‘Magician’s Apprentice’ is a miniature daylily that has a 2 3/4” flower on an 18” tall scape. The double flower is purple with white edging. This plant blooms mid to late in the season. Grace Stamile hybridized ‘Magician’s Apprentice.'

Hemerocallis ‘Fall Quarter’ is small reblooming daylily hybridized by Sharon Fitzpatrick. The blooms are shades of coral and apricot, single petaled and flower very early. The reblooming characteristic indicates the plant will have a reliable second flush of flowers later in the season.

A native of Wisconsin, Chris now makes her home in Zone 5 of central Ohio.  She is a member of the Garden Writers Association and Perennial Plant Association. More of Chris' garden musings can be seen at www.suite101.com/profile.cfm/staygardens and you can visit her profile at www.theMulch.com/my-profile/userprofile/staygardening1.