To explain the different costs of a daylily we need to remember our lessons in economics. Supply and Demand. The price is ultimately what a customer is willing to pay for a particular cultivar.

All products, daylilies included, have a lifecycle which consists different stages of value. 

The quantities of a cultivar for sale are extremely limited when first introduced. Also, the customers for these new cultivars are limited to other hybridizers, daylily producers and serious collectors.  Even though there is limited demand there is a severe shortage of supply, thus you can see new introductions selling for $150-$450 or higher.  The peak value will be at the introduction time. In general, the initial price is set by the hybridizer and the price he can get is based on his/her reputation, the amount that is available, the uniqueness of the variety, the beauty, hybridizing value(genetics)and etc.  Also keep in mind that the hybridizer probably made hundreds of crosses and raised thousands of seedlings for two-three years just to select one worth keeping. Another few years to evaluate and increase supplies sufficient to put on market... Well you can see it is quite a bit of work and patience.

With the addition of more producers the availability rises and the demand may also rise for a few years as the plant price begins to adjust downward to reach a broader, more general consumer base. As daylilies are not typically a manufactured item, supply increases slowly. This phase can last years.

Many times supply reaches the saturation level where the pricing is based purely upon the cost of operations, the profit margin required by the seller, and the price set by the market. It may remain in this stage indefinitely until there is no further demand for the plant or suppliers with sufficient efficiencies of scale drive smaller suppliers out of the market.

Sometimes a newer variety will be introduced that is superior and will replace the older variety before it can move through this life cycle.

Varities will sometimes drop out of market while collectors and some hybridizers still seek them out, driving the price back up.

As you can see each phase attracts different types of consumers willing to pay certain pricing points. We try to offer varieties for each type consumer with more a focus on the general customer looking for a pretty flower with excellent durability at a reasonable price.