What AHS Means in Daylily Gardening

Updated

AHS stands for the American Hemerocallis Society, the national organization for daylily (Hemerocallis) growers, hybridizers, and exhibitors in the United States. It is the body that registers daylily cultivars, sets exhibition and judging standards, and publishes material for members. If you garden with daylilies and want recognized cultivar names, show rules, or a network of local clubs, AHS is the umbrella organization you would look to.

What AHS does

  • Cultivar registration — new daylily cultivars are registered through AHS, which is why registered names carry an AHS registration number.
  • Exhibition and judging standards — AHS maintains the standards used at daylily shows, including how entries are judged and displayed.
  • Publications and education — the society produces journals and educational material for members.
  • Local affiliates — regional and local daylily clubs affiliate with AHS, giving members a way to meet other growers in person.

How local clubs connect to AHS

Local societies operate as affiliates. The Southern Michigan Daylily Society (SMDS), based at midaylilysociety.com, describes itself as "an educational, social and scientific society promoting daylily (Hemerocallis) propagation and good earth stewardship in gardening." That wording matches the typical affiliate mission: education, social meetings, and scientific interest in the genus.

SMDS lists these activities and resources on its site:

  • Calendar of Events
  • Join SMDS
  • SMDS Hybridizers
  • Newsletter Sources
  • Tips on Exhibiting Daylilies 101
  • Photos
  • Society Information

Its stated officers for 2026 are President Jason Coleman, Vice President Mary Batke, Treasurer Onita Fitz, Secretary Sandi Combs, and Directors Marietta Crabtree and Ken Polzin.

How to get involved

  1. Check the local club's calendar. SMDS says to click the "Calendar of Events" tab for meeting and event details.
  2. Ask about attending as a guest. SMDS states that guests are welcome at all upcoming meetings, but that a reservation is needed. Contact is by email at the address listed on the site.
  3. Join the local club. SMDS directs visitors to its "Join SMDS" tab for membership information.
  4. Reach AHS directly for national membership, registration questions, or judging and exhibition standards, since those functions sit with the national society rather than the local affiliate.

A member perk worth noting

SMDS publicizes a "Grow Your Rewards" program with Kincaid Garden Markers. According to the site, the member discount was doubled to $1.00 for each bundle of 25 plant markers ordered when the club's unique rewards code is used at checkout on kincaidplantmarkers.com. The code given is DAY-SMDS, and the page notes it was updated 03/23/2023. Treat that date as a signal to confirm current terms before ordering.

Quick reference

Term Meaning
AHS American Hemerocallis Society, the national daylily organization
Hemerocallis The botanical genus commonly called daylily
Affiliate club A local or regional society tied to AHS, such as SMDS
Registration The AHS process that formally names a new cultivar

If your goal is simply to grow daylilies, you do not need AHS membership. If your goal is to register a cultivar, exhibit at shows, or plug into a local grower community, start with the affiliate club nearest you and use AHS for the national standards and registration side.