Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Big Time Happy Daylily: Canary Yellow Rebloom at Lavender's Feet
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Big Time Happy daylily is an improved take on a classic reblooming yellow. Its clear canary yellow flowers are about 4 inches wide, roughly an inch larger than its well-known predecessor, and the slightly ruffled petals open flat to show off the color.
The name is not an exaggeration. It is very hard to look at a clump of these in July and stay grumpy.
Big Time Happy at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hemerocallis 'Big Time Happy' |
| Flowers | About 4 inches, clear canary yellow, opening flat |
| Foliage | Medium green, arching; fully dormant in winter |
| Size | Scapes to about 18 inches; clump 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late June, peaks mid-July, reblooms through late summer |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade, at least six hours of sun |
| Deer | Susceptible |
A front-row companion
Most daylilies are tall enough to belong behind lavender. Big Time Happy is the exception. At about 18 inches in bloom, it fits in front of or between medium lavenders, where its yellow faces sit right at the feet of the purple spikes. Yellow and purple are opposites on the color wheel, so the contrast is about as bright as a garden gets.
Its long season is the other selling point. It opens in late June as English lavender colors up, peaks with it in mid-July and keeps reblooming after the lavender is cut. Each flower stays open 16 hours or more, so even late-day visitors get the full effect. Leave a little air space between the daylily and each lavender so the lavender's base stays dry.
Care for steady rebloom
- Deadhead: snap off spent flowers every few days. Seed pods slow down rebloom.
- Scapes: pull finished flower stalks to the base.
- Water: once established it handles heat and dry spells, but a deep drink in long droughts keeps the buds coming.
- Fall: it dies back completely; clean up the foliage after hard frost.
- Divide: every few years when clumps get crowded.
Avoid soggy winter soil, which can lead to crown rot. Leaf streak and leaf spot may appear in wet summers. All parts of daylilies are toxic to cats.
Edging and containers
Its compact size makes it a natural for edging walks and driveways and for large containers on a sunny patio. A row along a path with lavender behind it is a simple, low-care planting that blooms most of the summer.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it rebloom?
It starts in late June, peaks in mid-July and reblooms through late summer, with repeat bloom reported until frost.
Will it grow in clay?
Yes, once established, as long as water does not sit around the crown.
Is it fragrant?
No notable fragrance. The lavender beside it can cover that department.
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