Hemerocallis 'Happy Returns'
At‑a‑glance
Group/Class: Reblooming daylily
Height × spread: 12-18 in (30-45 cm) × 12-18 in (30-45 cm)
Bloom window: June to October; repeats
Color & flower form: Lemon yellow; ruffled, about 3.5 in
Fragrance: 1 trace
USDA hardiness: zones 3-9
Breeder / Year / Origin: Apps, 1986, USA
Awards/registration: Missouri Botanical Garden Plant of Merit
Cut‑flower notes: Each bloom lasts 1 day; scapes open more buds in water
Pet safety: avoid: toxic to cats; generally non‑toxic to dogs
How it differs
- Earlier start to bloom than many daylilies
- Clear lemon color rather than gold
- Compact habit suited to edging and containers
- Strong repeat bloom in long warm seasons
Strengths
- Extended bloom season
- Low maintenance and adaptable
- Tolerates summer heat and humidity
- Performs in average garden soils
Care in one minute
Site: full sun for best rebloom; light shade tolerated
Soil: well‑drained, moderately fertile; slightly acidic to neutral
Water: about 1 in per week; keep moist in peak bloom
Feeding: light spring fertilizer or compost
Grooming: remove spent flowers and scapes; tidy foliage
- Divide every 3-4 years in spring or after flowering
Watch‑outs
- Less bloom in shade
- Daylily rust or leaf streak may occur in humid or wet periods
- Needs division every few years to stay vigorous
Best uses (tags)
edging; borders; containers; massing; pollinators; heat‑tolerant
Provenance note
Registered by Darrel Apps in 1986. A ‘Stella de Oro’ hybrid selected for clear lemon color and repeat bloom.
References
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder – Hemerocallis ‘Happy Returns’
- University of Minnesota Extension – Daylilies (care and bloom facts)
- Clemson Extension – Daylily diseases and insect pests
- ASPCA – Day Lilies (Hemerocallis spp.) toxicity to cats
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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