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Hemerocallis 'Custard Candy' (Custard Candy Daylily)
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© Paul Paradis, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons
Perennials

Hemerocallis 'Custard Candy'

Custard Candy Daylily

Asphodelaceae
Garden hybrid; registered Patrick Stamile 1997

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitClumping
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height20-24 inches (50-60 cm)
Width18-24 inches (45-60 cm)
Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 9
Zone 3Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesAttracts HummingbirdsDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Hemerocallis 'Custard Candy' is a compact, clumping, semi-evergreen perennial reaching 20–24 inches (50–60 cm) tall with a spread of 18–24 inches (45–60 cm). This daylily produces ruffled, rounded, trumpet-shaped flowers 4.5–5 inches (11–13 cm) across in creamy-custard yellow with a distinct dark maroon-red eye zone and matching maroon-red picotee (petal edge), surrounding a green throat. The combination of the pale custard ground, dark eye zone, and edging creates a strongly patterned flower. Each flower lasts a single day, with well-branched scapes producing bloom from June through August. Reblooms in some climates. The compact size makes this one of the shorter daylilies in the collection. Growth rate is moderate. Hardy to zone 3.

Native Range

Hemerocallis 'Custard Candy' is a garden hybrid registered by Patrick Stamile in 1997. The genus Hemerocallis is native to East Asia.

Suggested Uses

Planted in front of borders and in containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L) at 18–24 inch (45–60 cm) spacing. The compact height suits front-of-border and edging positions where the patterned flowers are visible at close range. The strongly defined eye + picotee pattern is the primary feature. Not suitable for deep shade or waterlogged soils.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Canadian Border Patrol' by the creamy-custard (versus ivory-white) ground color and the dark maroon-red eye zone in addition to the picotee edge—'Custard Candy' has both an eye zone and a picotee, while 'Canadian Border Patrol' has only a picotee. Distinguished from solid-colored daylilies by the strongly patterned bicolor eye + edge combination. The compact daylily with custard-yellow petals, dark maroon eye zone, and matching picotee edge is diagnostic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'8" - 2'
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow
red

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~7 weeks
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Summer
Ruffled, rounded flowers 4.5–5 inches (11–13 cm) across, creamy-custard yellow with dark maroon-red eye zone and matching picotee edge, green throat, from June through August. Each flower lasts one day. Reblooms in some climates. Bloom duration is 6–8 weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Creamy-custard yellow with dark maroon-red eye zone and matching picotee edge; green throat

Foliage Description

Medium green, arching strap-shaped

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun in average to moist, well-drained soil. Hardy to zone 3. Full sun intensifies the eye zone and picotee colors. The compact size (20–24 inches / 50–60 cm) suits front-of-border positions. Divide every 3–5 years.

Pruning

Remove spent flower scapes at the base. Cut back foliage in late fall or early spring. Divide crowded clumps every 3–5 years.

Pruning Schedule

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fallearly spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets