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Hemerocallis 'Earlybird Cardinal'
Earlybird Cardinal Daylily
Garden cultivar; parent species native to East Asia
At a Glance
TypePerennial
HabitClumping
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height22-26 inches (55-65 cm)
Width22-28 inches (55-70 cm)
Maturity3 years
Overview
Hemerocallis 'Earlybird Cardinal' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial reaching 22-26 inches (55-65 cm) tall in flower and 22-28 inches (55-70 cm) wide at maturity. Foliage forms a dense fountain-shaped basal mound of strap-shaped leaves 14-16 inches (35-40 cm) long and 0.5-0.75 inch (1.3-2 cm) wide, mid-green and slightly arching; foliage is semi-evergreen in zones 7-9 and herbaceous in zones 3-6. Scapes rise above the foliage carrying 4-5 buds each. Flowers are 5 inches (12.5 cm) wide, cardinal red with a small bright yellow throat and slightly recurved tepals; each flower opens in the morning and lasts a single day. Bloom begins approximately 2 weeks earlier than typical mid-season cultivars, typically late May through June in zones 5-7, with rebloom on a smaller scale in late August to September if the plant receives consistent moisture. Total display per primary bloom flush is 3-4 weeks. Plants spread slowly by short rhizomes; clumps reach 22-28 inches (55-70 cm) in 3-4 years from a single fan. Yellowing leaves at the clump margin are typical in late summer under dry conditions and may be removed without affecting plant health. Lifespan in zones 4-7 is 8-12 years between divisions.
Native Range
Hemerocallis 'Earlybird Cardinal' is a garden cultivar with no native habitat. Modern Hemerocallis hybrids descend from species native to East Asia (H. fulva, H. lilioasphodelus, H. minor, H. citrina), found in meadows, woodland edges, and stream banks across temperate China, Japan, and Korea.Suggested Uses
Used in perennial borders, mass plantings, and along sloped banks for erosion control; spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart in groupings. Combines with mid-summer perennials such as Echinacea purpurea, Rudbeckia fulgida, Salvia nemorosa, and ornamental grasses such as Panicum virgatum. Grown in containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L); container plants typically bloom less heavily than in-ground plants and require winter protection in zones 3-5.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'10" - 2'2"
Width/Spread1'10" - 2'4"
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Late May through late June in zones 5-7, beginning 7-14 days earlier than typical mid-season Hemerocallis cultivars. Each scape carries 4-5 buds opening successively over 7-10 days; total primary bloom display extends 3-4 weeks. Rebloom occurs 6-8 weeks after the primary flush in zones 5-9 with adequate moisture, producing a second smaller display of 1-2 weeks in late August to September. In zones 8-9, primary bloom may begin in early to mid-May.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Cardinal red with small bright yellow throatFoliage Description
Mid-green, strap-shaped, slightly archingGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plants are set with the crown at soil level in spring or fall in well-drained loam; planting deeper than 1 inch (2.5 cm) reduces flowering. Water weekly during the first growing season; established plants tolerate 3-4 weeks without rain but produce fewer flowers under drought. Daylily rust (Puccinia hemerocallidis) appears as orange pustules on leaf undersides in humid conditions; affected foliage can be cut to ground in fall and removed from the site. Daylily gall midge causes deformed buds in cool, wet spring conditions, primarily in coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest. Clumps benefit from division every 4-6 years when the center thins or flowering decreases; division is performed in spring or 6 weeks before first frost. Slugs feed on emerging foliage in cool wet springs.Pruning
Spent scapes are cut to the base after bloom completes; this prevents seed pod formation that diverts energy from rebloom. Yellowing or browning foliage at the clump margin is removed mid-season as needed for appearance; removal does not affect plant health. Foliage is cut to 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) above the crown in late fall after first frost, or left in place for winter cover and removed in early spring.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerfall
Maintenance Level
lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons