Hemerocallis 'BERTIE FERRIS' daylily
Hemerocallis
The genus Hemerocallis comprises approximately 15 species of herbaceous perennials in the family Asphodelaceae, native to East Asia—particularly China, Korea, and Japan. These plants are characterised by grass-like leaves, fleshy rhizomes, and flowers that open for just a single day. This fleeting bloom cycle gave the genus its name: from the Greek “hemera” meaning day and “kallos” meaning beauty. The first botanical description was published by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, although some species had been cultivated in Asia for thousands of years. Daylilies appeared in Europe as early as the 16th century, but the true breeding boom came in the 20th century in the United States, where thousands of cultivars were developed in an astonishing range of colours, shapes, and sizes.
Daylilies have gained popularity not only for their low maintenance but also for their poetic link to the rhythm of the day. A flower opens in the morning and fades by evening—like a fleeting wink of summer. In China, certain species were used as medicinal plants, and their flower buds are still added to traditional dishes. In Korea, daylilies symbolised motherhood, while in Japan they appear in poetry as metaphors for transience. In temperate gardens, they became cherished perennials thanks to their ability to bloom throughout summer with minimal care. And although each flower lasts only a day, the plant produces so many that the garden appears in full bloom for weeks on end.
Bertie Ferris daylily bears 6–7 cm wide, bell-shaped flowers that open broadly and feature delicate ruffling on the main petals. Their colour can vary depending on growing conditions – from deep gold to tangerine orange with salmon undertones. They typically bloom around mid-June on stems about 50 cm tall, and well-established plants in favourable conditions may rebloom in August. In rare cases, flowering continues uninterrupted from June to August. The leaves are broad, medium green, grassy, and deciduous. Compared to the original species, this cultivar offers a softer flower with wider opening and more pronounced ruffling. It was bred and introduced in 1969 by Ury and Elna Winniford.
Ury Winniford (1909–2001) from Dallas, Texas, was an American daylily breeder who, together with his wife Elna, created over 230 registered cultivars. Their work received the highest honours in the field- 'Bertie Ferris' was awarded the prestigious Stout Medal in 1980, the top accolade from the American Hemerocallis Society, and had already been named Daylily of the Year in 1977. Ury’s breeding philosophy was intuitive – he simply had to like the flower. But he insisted that the sepals must never be pointed; they had to be rounded. Later in his career, he added further criteria, such as early bloom opening – he wanted the flowers to “look at him” first thing in the morning as he entered the garden. The cultivar was named after Bertie Mae Ferris, a prominent figure in the American Hemerocallis Society, who served as its president in 1969 and played a key role in popularizing daylilies across the United States.
Daylilies have strong, lush green foliage that decorates the garden from spring to winter, unlike bulbous plants that fade after flowering. They are generally free from pests and diseases, although slugs may attack them if nothing tastier is nearby. Provide full sun or light shade, and for more abundant flowering, apply a light fertilizer in spring. They tolerate almost any soil, even dry conditions, though they thrive best in moist ground. Suitable for outdoor containers as well. After flowering, the entire clump can be trimmed or older, tired leaves thinned out. Leaves may also be removed at the end of the season, though this is optional – the plant manages well on its own. Fully hardy down to –40 °C (USDA zone 3).
Last update 01-02-2025; 11-11-2025
