Hemerocallis (daylily) — Clump forming

Overview

Hemerocallis is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Hemerocallis, part of the Asphodelaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Hemerocallis grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include borders and containers. It is native to Albania, Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Chita, Inner Mongolia, Irkutsk, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Khabarovsk, Korea, Krasnoyarsk, Kuril Is., Manchuria, Mongolia, Nansei-shoto, NW. Balkan Pen., Primorye, Sakhalin, Taiwan, Tuva, West Siberia and Yakutiya.

About

Hemerocallis is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial with deciduous foliage. It flowers in the UK from June to August. The plant prefers full sun on neutral loam that remains moist but drains freely and suits a south-facing, exposed position. Hardiness rating H6 indicates it is very hardy in British conditions.

About the genus

A daylily, day lily or ditch-lily is a flowering plant in the genus Hemerocallis, a member of the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Hemerocallidoideae, native to Asia. Despite the common name, it is not taxonomically classified in the lily genus. Gardening enthusiasts and horticulturists have long bred Hemerocallis species for their attractive flowers; a select few species of the genus have edible petals, while some are extremely toxic.

Wikipedia contributors, "Daylily", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Daylily

In the garden

Hemerocallis is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial native across temperate Asia and parts of southern Europe, with records from China, Japan and Korea through to Russia and the NW Balkans and Italy. Plants produce basal deciduous leaves and summer flowering stems, and are grown widely for summer displays. For successful growth choose a sunny, south-facing site in neutral loam that holds moisture without becoming waterlogged. An exposed position is acceptable; aim for soil that is moist but well-drained rather than dry or heavy clay. The species is rated H6 for UK hardiness, meaning it tolerates cold winters common across most of Britain when planted in a suitable, well-drained spot. Hemerocallis suits mixed borders and containers where the clump-forming habit provides defined, perennial structure. Install plants where their summer flowering (June to August) will be visible above the border front or from a patio seating area. Because the foliage is deciduous, the clumps clear away in winter, leaving space for spring bulbs or early perennials the following year.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Hemerocallis

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Loam
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained
Aspect: South-facing
Exposure: Exposed
UK hardiness: H6

Plant details

Hemerocallis size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial
Habit: Clump forming
Foliage: Deciduous
Suggested uses: Borders, containers
Native to: Albania, Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Chita, Inner Mongolia, Irkutsk, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Khabarovsk, Korea, Krasnoyarsk, Kuril Is., Manchuria, Mongolia, Nansei-shoto, NW. Balkan Pen., Primorye, Sakhalin, Taiwan, Tuva, West Siberia, Yakutiya

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hemerocallis

Propagation: Division, seed
Pest resistance: Aphids, slugs, snails, glasshouse red spider mite, thrips
Disease resistance: Fungal leaf spot, rust diseases, bacterial leaf and stem rot