Hemerocallis 'Cool It'

Hemerocallis 'Cool It': Near-White Calm in a Loud Border

'Cool It' is what this daylily says to every other plant panicking in a heat wave. Pale cream flowers, sweet fragrance and a rebloom that shows up just when you need a breather. TAKE A DEEP BREATH. THEN SNIFF.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Cool It'
• Common Name: Daylily
• Height: 65–80 cm (26–31 in) in flower
• Spread: 50 cm (20 in)
• Flowers: Near-white to pale cream with a yellow-green throat, about 11–15 cm (4.5–6 in) across, fragrant
• Bloom Time: Midsummer, with rebloom later in summer (July to August)
• Foliage: Arching, strap-like green leaves; semi-evergreen type
• Features: Fragrant, reblooming

Where to Plant: Drop it between hot colours and the whole bed suddenly looks deliberate, or use it in white gardens and evening spaces where light flowers stay visible after dusk. It tolerates clay and Canadian winters, but plan its spot with deer and rabbits in mind.

Companion Plants: Tradescantia 'Concord Grape' adds purple flowers from June to September, a rich partner for the white daylily. Geranium 'Cambridge' fills the front with magenta flowers from May to July. Aster 'Wood's Light Blue' brings blue asters from August to October, so the bed stays lively after the daylily is done. All three are fine in full sun or part sun.

Plant Care: Full sun gives the most flowers. It will bloom in part sun, but flowering drops off in real shade. Plant the crown about 2.5 cm (1 in) below the surface in fertile, well-drained soil and water through the first season. Established clumps handle dry spells, though summer water helps the rebloom. Remove spent stalks as they finish. Clear the foliage in late fall or early spring. Divide in early spring or late summer every few years when it gets crowded.

History: The breeder and date of 'Cool It' couldn't be confirmed, but daylilies come from eastern Asia, where some species have been grown for food and medicine for centuries. The genus name Hemerocallis joins Greek words for day and beauty, because each flower lasts a single day.

Final Thoughts: Plant it where tempers run hot, like right beside the barbecue. Drought tolerant once established. CHILL PILL, PERENNIAL EDITION.