The genus Hemerocallis is native to the countries in the temperate parts of Asia. Originally, the only colors were yellow, orange, and fulvous red. Today, we have colors ranging from near-whites, pastels, yellows, oranges, pinks, vivid reds, crimson, purple, and nearly true-blue. Many people are familiar with only the common yellow or orange Daylilies, which are often seen along roadsides. These Daylilies are cultivated forms of the wild varieties of plants, which have "escaped" and are growing as if wild. All the modern Daylilies we see have been developed through a complicated history of hybridization among these and other wild varieties.

As you can see from the picture above, the Daylilies are also a favorite of the butterflies, as well as the bees, that frequent Conservatory Garden. It is certainly easy to understand their popularity, especially in terms of New York City. They open in the morning, give their all for one day's performance, and are replaced by an understudy for the next day's matinee. It would be nice to imagine they at least got to see the reviews.