Hemerocallis 'Aurantiaca Major' of gardens (Japanese daylily) — Clump-forming, arching foliage with upright scapes

Overview

Hemerocallis 'Aurantiaca Major' of gardens is a clump-forming, arching foliage with upright scapes perennial in the genus Hemerocallis, part of the Asphodelaceae family, with deciduous or semi-evergreen; arching, strap-shaped, fresh green foliage. Hemerocallis 'Aurantiaca Major' of gardens grows best in full sun to partial shade; darker colours hold better out of hot sun, and tolerates almost any reasonable soil and from loam to clay soils and acid and neutral or alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6-H7. Suggested uses include borders, mass plantings, cottage gardens, naturalizing and cut flowers.

About

Hemerocallis 'Aurantiaca Major' of gardens is a clump-forming perennial in the Asphodelaceae with arching, strap-shaped fresh green leaves and upright flowering scapes. It flowers in the UK from June to August. The foliage may be deciduous or semi-evergreen and the plant suits a wide range of soil types.

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 'Aurantiaca Major' of gardens belongs to the genus Hemerocallis within the Asphodelaceae and presents as a clump-forming perennial with arching, strap-shaped fresh green foliage and upright scapes that produce blooms from June to August. The habit places the leaves at the base with flower stems rising above the clump. Plant where it receives full sun to partial shade; darker flower colours will retain their tone better when not exposed to the hottest sun. It tolerates almost any reasonable soil from loam to clay and will grow in acid, neutral or alkaline ground. Aim for moist but well-drained conditions: once established the plant will tolerate both damp and dry situations. It handles any aspect and will do well whether the site is exposed or sheltered. Rated H6–H7, it is classed as very hardy to fully hardy for UK gardens. Use it in mixed herbaceous borders, for massing or naturalising schemes, in cottage gardens, and as a source of cut flowers. The arching, strappy leaves form a clear structural base while the upright scapes give mid-summer colour, making it easy to place alongside other summer-flowering perennials.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Hemerocallis

Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade; darker colours hold better out of hot sun
Soil type: Almost any reasonable soil, from loam to clay
Soil pH: Acid, neutral or alkaline
Soil moisture: Moist but well drained; tolerates both damp and dry once established
Aspect: Any
Exposure: Exposed or sheltered
UK hardiness: H6-H7

Plant details

Hemerocallis 'Aurantiaca Major' of gardens size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, arching foliage with upright scapes
Foliage: Deciduous or semi-evergreen; arching, strap-shaped, fresh green
Suggested uses: Borders, mass plantings, cottage gardens, naturalizing, cut flowers

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hemerocallis 'Aurantiaca Major' of gardens

Cultivation: Among the most forgiving of perennials, and effectively unkillable once settled. They flower most freely in an open position with reasonable moisture while the buds are forming, and benefit from division every four or five years, since a congested clump produces plenty of leaf and progressively fewer scapes.
Pruning: Snap off spent blooms to keep the display clean, and cut scapes to the base once all buds have finished. Remove dead foliage in late autumn or early spring.
Propagation: Divide in early spring or immediately after flowering, splitting the crown into fans each with roots attached. Proliferations that form on the scapes of some cultivars can be rooted as cuttings.
Pest resistance: Slugs and snails graze new spring growth, and hemerocallis gall midge distorts buds in early summer - affected buds are best picked off and destroyed.
Disease resistance: Robust. Daylily rust is the main disease of note but remains uncommon in the UK.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Hemerocallis 'Aurantiaca Major' of gardens?

Among the most forgiving of perennials, and effectively unkillable once settled. They flower most freely in an open position with reasonable moisture while the buds are forming, and benefit from division every four or five years, since a congested clump produces plenty of leaf and progressively fewer scapes.

Where is the best place to plant Hemerocallis 'Aurantiaca Major' of gardens?

Hemerocallis 'Aurantiaca Major' of gardens prefers full sun to partial shade; darker colours hold better out of hot sun. It suits exposed or sheltered positions.

What soil does Hemerocallis 'Aurantiaca Major' of gardens need?

Hemerocallis 'Aurantiaca Major' of gardens grows best in almost any reasonable soil and from loam to clay soil. It prefers acid and neutral or alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well drained; tolerates both damp and dry once established.

How do I prune Hemerocallis 'Aurantiaca Major' of gardens?

Snap off spent blooms to keep the display clean, and cut scapes to the base once all buds have finished. Remove dead foliage in late autumn or early spring.

Is Hemerocallis 'Aurantiaca Major' of gardens hardy in the UK?

Hemerocallis 'Aurantiaca Major' of gardens has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.

How do I propagate Hemerocallis 'Aurantiaca Major' of gardens?

Divide in early spring or immediately after flowering, splitting the crown into fans each with roots attached. Proliferations that form on the scapes of some cultivars can be rooted as cuttings.

More in the Hemerocallis genus

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