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Hemerocallis 'Fooled Me'
Fooled Me Daylily
East Asia (genus origin; cultivar is a garden hybrid)
At a Glance
TypePerennial
HabitClumping
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height22-26 inches (55-65 cm)
Width18-24 inches (45-60 cm)
Maturity2 years
Overview
Hemerocallis 'Fooled Me' is a compact, clumping, semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial reaching 22–26 inches (55–65 cm) tall and 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) wide. The tetraploid cultivar was registered by Enman R. Joiner in 1990. Flowers are 4.5–5 inches (11–13 cm) across with ruffled, trumpet-shaped form. Petals are golden-yellow with a bold burgundy-red eye zone covering the inner third of the petal, a thin burgundy-red picotee edge, and a green throat. Foliage is medium green, arching, strap-shaped, and 16–20 inches (40–50 cm) long. Bloom runs from June through September over 10–12 weeks, with scapes producing an initial flush followed by a secondary flush of rebloom scapes 2–4 weeks later. Each individual flower opens for one day. Rebloom is dependent on moisture and fertility; in dry or low-fertility sites, bloom contracts to 6–7 weeks. Growth rate is moderate, with plants reaching mature clump size in 2 years. Hardy to USDA zone 3. All plant parts contain colchicine-like compounds and are toxic to cats, causing acute kidney failure if ingested.
Native Range
Hemerocallis 'Fooled Me' is a garden hybrid registered by Enman R. Joiner in 1990 and does not occur in the wild. The genus Hemerocallis is native to East Asia, with wild species distributed across China, Korea, Japan, and eastern Russia.Suggested Uses
Used in front- to mid-border positions at 18–24 inch (45–60 cm) spacing, in mixed perennial beds, and in containers 3 gallons (11 L) or larger. The bicolor pattern pairs with solid-color yellow or red daylilies and with summer-flowering grasses such as Panicum virgatum and Sporobolus heterolepis. Deep shade, low fertility, and drought during summer reduce or eliminate the rebloom flush.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'10" - 2'2"
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Flowers appear from June through September over 10–12 weeks, produced in two flushes: an initial scape set in June–July and a rebloom set in August–September. Individual blooms are 4.5–5 inches (11–13 cm) across, golden-yellow with a burgundy-red eye zone, thin burgundy-red picotee, and green throat. Each flower opens for one day.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Golden-yellow with burgundy-red eye zone, thin burgundy-red picotee, and green throat; 4.5-5 inches acrossFoliage Description
Medium green, arching strap-shaped, 16-20 inches longGrowing 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
Grow in full sun with 6 or more hours of direct light in average to moist, well-drained loam, clay, or sandy soil at pH 6.0–7.0. Rebloom depends on consistent moisture: water deeply once per week during dry periods throughout summer to sustain the second flush. Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring and again after the first flush finishes at 1 tablespoon per square foot (30 g/m²). Remove spent scapes promptly to redirect energy into rebloom scapes. Divide clumps every 3–5 years in early spring or early fall. Hardy to USDA zone 3.Pruning
Remove spent flower scapes at the base as soon as all buds on a scape have opened and finished, which supports the secondary bloom flush. Cut old foliage to 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) in late October through November or in early March. Lift and divide crowded clumps every 3–5 years.Pruning Schedule
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fallearly spring
Maintenance Level
lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons