The “Cranberry Overload” is actually a very popular confusion/misnomer for the dwarf reblooming perennial Hemerocallis ‘Cranberry Baby’. Known for producing massive quantities of vivid cranberry-red flowers with green-gold throats, this hardy daylily is a staple for garden borders. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key Characteristics
- Blooms: Small (2–3 inches wide), lily-shaped, deep cranberry-red blooms with ruffled petals and a golden throat. Each individual flower lasts only a day, but the plant yields a continuous, high volume of replacements. [1, 2, 3, 4]
- Habit: A compact dwarf daylily; the foliage reaches about 10 to 12 inches tall, while the flower scapes (stems) rise just above to roughly 12 to 16 inches. [1, 2]
- Bloom Time: Early to mid-summer, with excellent reblooming capabilities extending into early autumn. [1, 2]
- Hardiness Zones: Thrives in USDA Zones 3–10. [1]
Care & Cultivation
- Sunlight: Thrives in full sun to partial shade, but requires at least 4 hours of direct sunlight for maximum flowering.
- Soil: Highly adaptable to most soil types but grows best in fertile, well-draining soil.
- Watering: Moderate water needs. While drought-tolerant, it blooms far better with consistent, regular watering.
- Maintenance: Low maintenance. You can cut back spent flower stems after the bloom cycle finishes to promote further reblooming.
- Edible Flowers: The blossoms are edible and make colorful additions to salads, offering light flavors and vitamins A and C. (Note: ensure plants are not treated with pesticides if consumed). [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
