How to Grow Daylily Black Eyed Stella

Daylily Black Eyed Stella

Hemerocallis 'Black Eyed Stella'

flower

Black Eyed Stella is a popular daylily cultivar featuring golden-yellow petals with a deep burgundy-black eye zone in the center. Each flower blooms for just one day, but the plant produces numerous buds that flower in succession over several weeks. This compact, reblooming variety is prized for its striking bicolor appearance and reliable performance.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun to part shade; 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily for best blooming

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Water: Moderate water needs; keep soil consistently moist during growing season but not waterlogged. Established plants are quite drought-tolerant. Water deeply but allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.

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Spacing: 18 inches

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Days to maturity: Established flowering by year 2; some blooms may appear year 1

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Planting depth: Crown level with soil surface; do not bury the crown

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Organic matter to improve water retention in sandy soils

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-9; especially reliable in zones 4-8

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

Growth Stages

Establishment

3-4 weeks after planting

Young transplant developing root system with initial foliage growth emerging from the crown

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulch around base to retain moisture. Remove any flower buds first year to encourage root development.

Vegetative Growth

Late spring through early summer (first year or early second year)

Plant develops abundant strap-like foliage in clumps; no flowers yet or minimal flowering

Ensure consistent watering during dry periods. Apply balanced fertilizer monthly during growing season. Mulch to 2-3 inches deep.

Bud Formation

Early to mid-summer

Flower scapes emerge from the foliage with multiple buds forming along each scape

Maintain consistent moisture. Apply bloom-promoting fertilizer (higher phosphorus). Remove any dead or damaged foliage. Each scape typically produces 15-25 buds.

Flowering

6-10 weeks (June-August in most zones)

Golden-yellow flowers with deep burgundy-black eye zone open sequentially; each bloom lasts one day

Deadhead spent flowers daily or allow them to drop naturally. Continue regular watering. This cultivar is reblooming, so flowers may appear in successive flushes through summer and into fall.

Post-Bloom & Dormancy

Late summer through winter

Foliage may yellow and begin senescence; plant enters dormancy in fall

Cut back dead foliage in late fall or early spring. Apply light fertilizer after bloom to support next season. In colder zones, foliage dies back completely; in mild zones, may remain semi-evergreen.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Coreopsis Rudbeckia Salvia Nepeta Yarrow Sedum Russian Sage Ornamental grasses

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut trees (juglone toxicity) Competing aggressive spreaders like mint or bindweed

Common Pests

Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe. Improve air circulation.
Remove affected flower buds; use yellow sticky traps. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Spray with water or use insecticidal soap. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs.
and
Remove by hand, especially at dusk. Use copper tape barriers or food-grade diatomaceous earth around plants.

Uses

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Edible Flowers

Culinary

Daylily buds and flowers are edible and used in Asian cuisines, particularly Chinese cooking, where unopened buds are dried and used in stir-fries. The flowers have a delicate flavor with hints of sweetness. [source]

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Traditional Medicine

Medicinal

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, daylily buds (called 'golden needles') are believed to have cooling properties and are used in herbal remedies. Hemerocallis species have been studied for potential anti-inflammatory compounds. [source]

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Cut Flower Arrangements

Household

Though individual flowers last only one day, the continuous succession of blooms makes daylily scapes valuable for fresh arrangements. Place cut stems in water and enjoy multiple flowers opening over several days. [source]

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Pollinator Garden

Wildlife

Daylilies attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators with their abundant nectar and pollen. Black Eyed Stella's vibrant coloring and long bloom period provide excellent food sources. [source]

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Ornamental Landscaping

Craft

This cultivar is valued in perennial gardens, borders, and landscape designs for its reliable performance, striking bicolor appearance, and low-maintenance nature once established. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Daylilies are ornamental flowers typically left on the plant for garden display. If you wish to enjoy flowers indoors, cut fresh blooms in the morning just as they open. Place in cool water immediately. Individual flowers last only one day, but buds on the stem will continue opening. For seed collection, allow a few spent flowers to remain and dry on the plant; collect seed pods in fall.

Fun Facts

🌱 The name 'daylily' refers to the fleeting nature of each bloom—flowers open in the morning and close by evening, creating a new bloom the next day. A single plant can produce hundreds of flowers over its blooming season.
🌱 Black Eyed Stella is a reblooming variety, meaning it produces multiple cycles of flowers throughout the growing season if deadheaded or if conditions are favorable, extending bloom time well into autumn.
🌱 Daylilies have been cultivated in Asia for thousands of years and are considered one of the most low-maintenance perennials for temperate gardens. Some cultivars have been recorded blooming for 50+ years in the same location.

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