The ‘Frans Hals’ daylily (Hemerocallis) is an iconic, historic perennial known for its striking, trumpet-shaped bicolor blooms of rusty orange-red and golden-yellow. Named after the famous Dutch painter, it is highly prized by gardeners for its robust hardiness, reliable mid-to-late summer bloom cycle, and low-maintenance care requirements. [1, 2]
Key Characteristics
- Flower Color: Alternating petals of rusty-crimson and sunny gold, featuring a distinct creamy-yellow mid-rib.
- Bloom Time: Mid-to-late summer, frequently with a rebloom in early fall. Each trumpet-shaped flower lasts a single day, but scapes are heavily branched with numerous buds to ensure an extended display.
- Plant Size: Grows to a mature height of 20 to 24 inches with a spread of 18 to 24 inches.
- Hardiness: Thrives in USDA Zones 3–9. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Growing Requirements & Care
- Light: Full sun to partial shade (full sun yields the most prolific blooms).
- Soil: Adaptable to most soil types, but prefers average, well-drained, and consistently moist soils.
- Maintenance: Drought-tolerant once established. Requires minimal upkeep—simply deadhead spent blooms, remove spent scapes (flower stalks) at the base after blooming, and cut back foliage in late fall. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
