perennial RHS Award

Little Business Daylily

Hemerocallis 'Little Business'

The Story

Plant Bio

Daylilies are hardy, clump-forming perennials with arching, grass-like leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers on leafless stems called scapes. Individual flowers last only a day, but plants produce many buds for a long bloom season.

'Little Business' is a prolific miniature daylily prized for its vibrant, raspberry-red to burgundy blooms with a contrasting chartreuse throat. It is a reliable rebloomer, extending its flowering season significantly.

Uses & Benefits:

'Little Business' provides a long season of brilliant color with its profuse, jewel-toned flowers. Its compact, grassy foliage forms a dense clump that looks attractive even when not in bloom, making it an excellent choice for front-of-border positions and mass plantings.

This daylily is exceptionally tough and adaptable, thriving in a wide range of soils and conditions with minimal care. It's an excellent plant for erosion control on slopes and is a reliable performer for beginner gardeners.

The trumpet-shaped flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including butterflies and hummingbirds. The dense foliage provides cover for beneficial insects and helps to suppress weeds, reducing the need for herbicides.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

15 inches

Width

24 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Adaptable

Lifespan

Long-lived perennial

Native To

Asia

Toxicity

Non-toxic to humans, toxic to cats

Bloom period

Mid-summer – Late summer

In flower about 2 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site receiving at least six hours of direct sun.
Prepare the soil by loosening it and adding compost.
Dig a hole wider than the root mass and form a mound inside.
Spread the roots over the mound, with the crown at soil level.
Backfill with soil, firming it to remove air pockets.
Water deeply and consistently until the plant is established.

Pro Tip

To maximize rebloom, deadhead spent flowers regularly and provide a second dose of fertilizer after the initial flush of blooms finishes.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide consistent water during bloom season for best performance.
Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Divide clumps when flowering diminishes to reinvigorate them.
Remove entire flower scapes after all buds have bloomed.

Don't

Don't plant the crown more than one inch below the soil surface.
Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote foliage over flowers.
Don't allow them to dry out completely for extended periods.
Don't worry about deer; they find daylilies delicious.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deadhead
Divide
Fertilize
Plant
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Vibrant edging for sunny bordersReliable mass planting for slopesColorful accent in mixed perennial beds

Companion Plants

Salvia nemorosa Echinacea purpurea Coreopsis verticillata Pennisetum alopecuroides Nepeta faassenii

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Little Business Daylily questions

What zones can Little Business Daylily grow in?

Little Business Daylily is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Little Business Daylily deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Little Business Daylily, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Little Business Daylily bloom?

Little Business Daylily typically blooms in mid-summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Little Business Daylily need full sun?

Little Business Daylily does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Little Business Daylily drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Little Business Daylily handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.