Basic Information
Common Name: Stella de Oro Daylily
Scientific Name: Hemerocallis ‘Stella de Oro’
Native Habitat: While the Hemerocallis genus is native to Asia (China, Korea, Japan), ‘Stella de Oro’ is a popular hybrid cultivar developed in the United States, not found in the wild.
History / Discovery / Cultivator
The story of the ‘Stella de Oro’ Daylily is less about ancient discovery and more about modern horticultural innovation. Unlike species daylilies which have graced gardens for centuries, ‘Stella de Oro’ is a relatively recent creation, representing a significant breakthrough in daylily breeding. It was hybridized by Walter J. Jablonski in 1975 and introduced to the market around 1980. Jablonski, an amateur hybridizer from the United States, sought to develop a daylily that combined desirable traits: compact size, beautiful golden color, and, most importantly, a prolonged bloom period.
Prior to ‘Stella de Oro’, most daylily cultivars bloomed for only a few weeks in the summer. The concept of a “reblooming” daylily that would produce flowers continuously or intermittently from late spring through fall was the holy grail for many breeders. Jablonski’s cross achieved this remarkable characteristic. The parentage is documented as being a cross between Hemerocallis ‘Little Business’ and an unregistered seedling referred to as Jablonski’s Q-7. The resulting hybrid, ‘Stella de Oro’, quickly gained acclaim for its unprecedented blooming duration, dwarf stature (typically 10-12 inches tall with flower scapes reaching 18-24 inches), and prolific production of golden-yellow flowers.
Its introduction revolutionized the daylily world and the landscaping industry. Gardeners, landscape designers, and nurseries immediately recognized its potential. Its ability to provide continuous color throughout the growing season, coupled with its ease of care and adaptability to various climates (USDA Zones 3-9), made it an instant success. It quickly became one of the most popular and widely planted daylily cultivars globally. Its impact was so significant that it has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Stout Silver Medal from the American Hemerocallis Society (AHS), the highest award given to a daylily cultivar, cementing its status as a horticultural icon. The ‘Stella de Oro’ cultivar demonstrated the immense value of dedicated hybridizing efforts and permanently changed expectations for daylily performance in the garden.
Plant Care Summary
| Category | General Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Full Sun – Part Shade | Best flowering in full sun (6+ hours). Tolerates part shade but may bloom less. |
| Water | Moderate | Water deeply, especially during dry periods or when establishing. Drought tolerant once established, but blooms best with consistent moisture. |
| Humidity | Average | Adaptable to various humidity levels. |
| Temp. Range | Hardy (Zones 3-9) | Tolerates wide temperature fluctuations; requires winter dormancy. |
| Soil Type | Well-draining | Prefers fertile, loamy soil but adaptable to most types as long as drainage is good. |
| Fertilizer | Low – Moderate | Generally not heavy feeders. An annual application of balanced fertilizer in spring is usually sufficient. |
| Toxicity | Mildly Toxic (Cats/Dogs) | Can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested by cats or dogs. Primarily a concern for cats, potentially causing kidney failure. |
Botanical Insights
Adaptations
While ‘Stella de Oro’ is a hybrid cultivar, it inherits many robust traits from its Hemerocallis genus lineage. Key adaptations include its extensive, fleshy root system (sometimes referred to as tuberous roots), which allows the plant to store water and nutrients, making it remarkably drought-tolerant once established. This root structure also aids in anchoring the plant firmly in various soil types. The plant’s prolific flower production, especially the reblooming characteristic engineered into ‘Stella de Oro’, is an adaptation favoring reproductive success over a longer period. Although not a wild adaptation, this trait makes the plant highly competitive in garden settings and contributes to its popularity and distribution. The tough, strap-like leaves are also resilient and help the plant withstand wind and sun exposure.
Propagation Methods
The most common and effective method for propagating ‘Stella de Oro’ Daylilies is division. This is best done in early spring as new growth emerges or in late summer/early fall after the main bloom period has finished. The clump is dug up, and the root mass is carefully separated into smaller sections using a sharp knife or garden fork, ensuring each section has some roots and at least one fan of leaves. These divisions can then be replanted directly. Daylilies can also be grown from seed, but this method is not used for propagating cultivars like ‘Stella de Oro’ because seeds produced from a hybrid will not grow true to the parent plant; the resulting plants will likely be different and lack the specific desirable traits (like consistent reblooming and exact flower form/color) of ‘Stella de Oro’.
Toxicology
Hemerocallis species, including the ‘Stella de Oro’ cultivar, are known to be toxic to cats. Ingestion can cause symptoms ranging from vomiting, lethargy, and lack of appetite to more severe signs indicative of kidney failure. All parts of the plant are considered toxic to felines. For dogs, ingestion typically results in milder gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea). For humans, daylilies are generally considered non-toxic or having a very low toxicity risk, primarily causing mild stomach upset if large quantities are consumed. However, given the serious risk to cats, pet owners should exercise caution and consider planting them where cats cannot access them.
Common Problems
Pests:
- Aphids
- Thrips
- Spider mites
- Daylily gall midge (sporadic but can distort buds)
- Slugs and snails (especially on new foliage)
Diseases:
- Daylily rust (Puccinia hemerocallidis)
- Daylily leaf streak (Aureobasidium microstictum)
- Crown rot (often due to poor drainage)
- Root rot (often due to poor drainage)
Other:
- Lack of blooming: Most often caused by insufficient light, overcrowding (needs division), or lack of water during bloom cycle.
- Yellowing leaves: Can indicate overwatering, underwatering, nutrient deficiency (especially nitrogen), or natural dieback after flowering.
- Browning leaf tips: Typically caused by inconsistent watering or excessive salts in the soil or water.
- Spent flowers (scapeless blooms): Flowers appearing directly from the crown without a scape, often indicating stress, overcrowding, or sometimes simply happens in specific growing conditions.
Rarity & Value
Rarity:
The ‘Stella de Oro’ Daylily is arguably one of the least rare ornamental plants in the world. It is mass-produced by nurseries globally due to its exceptional performance, ease of propagation by division, and overwhelming popularity. It is readily available at garden centers, nurseries, and online retailers everywhere, making it an extremely common and ubiquitous plant. Unlike some rare species or finicky, slow-to-propagate cultivars, ‘Stella de Oro’s success lies precisely in its commonality and accessibility.
Value:
The market value of ‘Stella de Oro’ Daylilies is generally quite low compared to unique or rare daylily cultivars. Value is primarily determined by the size and maturity of the clump being sold (e.g., number of ‘fans’ or divisions), whether it is container-grown or bare-root, and the retailer’s pricing. As a common, workhorse landscape plant, its value is based on its utility and reliability rather than exclusivity or collector demand. Large, healthy, multi-fan divisions will command a slightly higher price than smaller ones, but it remains one of the most affordable and widely available daylily options.
