Hemerocallis 'Big Time Happy'

Hemerocallis 'Big Time Happy': A Sunshine Burst That Keeps on Smiling
Cheerful, bright, and bursting with energy, Hemerocallis 'Big Time Happy' delivers generous waves of lemon-yellow blooms from early summer through fall. This vigorous reblooming cultivar is an improvement on the ever-popular Happy Returns, with larger flowers, a longer blooming season, and a more refined, mounded habit. Easygoing and sun-loving, it lights up borders and beds with a golden glow that feels like pure summer joy.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 45–60 cm
• Spread: 50–60 cm, forming a compact, well-rounded clump
• Flower Colour: Clear lemon-yellow with a soft green throat; lightly ruffled petals
• Flowering Period: Early summer to fall; continuous reblooming under good conditions
• Foliage: Arching, strappy green leaves; semi-evergreen
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; adaptable to a wide range of conditions

Uses and Benefits: Big Time Happy is a workhorse daylily with charm to spare. Its compact size and nonstop flowering make it ideal for edging sunny paths, filling container gardens, or massing in perennial borders. It’s also a magnet for pollinators and highly resistant to deer and drought, making it a practical and pretty choice for landscapes that require resilience without sacrificing beauty.

Companion Plants: Pair Big Time Happy with Salvia 'Bumbleblue', whose vibrant violet blooms provide bold contrast and extended seasonality. Add Achillea 'Peter Cottontail' for soft, creamy-white umbels that echo the daylily’s sunny brightness while adding a different texture. Finish with Panicum 'Little Bunny', a petite ornamental grass whose airy movement complements the daylily’s tidy form and brings seasonal interest into autumn.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun for best flowering, though part shade is tolerated. Water regularly during establishment; established plants are drought-tolerant. Deadheading is not necessary but will keep plants tidy. Cut back foliage in late fall or early spring. Divide every 3–4 years to maintain vigour and bloom density.

History: Bred as an improved reblooming yellow daylily, Hemerocallis 'Big Time Happy' builds on the legacy of Happy Returns—one of the most beloved daylilies in cultivation. With its larger flowers, extended blooming season, and improved performance, it offers a reliable upgrade for gardeners looking for cheerful colour all summer long.

Final Thoughts: Bright, bountiful, and carefree, Hemerocallis 'Big Time Happy' brings a sunny disposition to every corner of the garden. Whether planted en masse or woven into mixed borders, it offers lasting colour, strong performance, and the kind of effortless beauty that makes you smile all season. A golden delight that truly lives up to its name.