Hemerocallis 'Dorothy McDade' (daylily 'Dorothy McDade') — Clump-forming, arching foliage with upright scapes

Overview

Hemerocallis 'Dorothy McDade' 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 'Dorothy McDade' 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 planting, containers and cut flowers.

About

Hemerocallis 'Dorothy McDade' is a clump-forming perennial daylily with arching, strap-shaped leaves and upright scapes that carry scented blooms. Foliage is deciduous or semi-evergreen and the plant flowers from June to August. It will grow in almost any reasonable soil and tolerates both damp and dry conditions once established. Suitability includes full sun to partial shade, with darker colours holding better out of hot sun.

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 'Dorothy McDade' is a cultivar in the Asphodelaceae grown for its scented summer flowers and fountain-like clumps of strap-shaped leaves. It produces upright scapes above arching foliage and flowers in the UK from June to August. The plant is a perennial suited to repeat display across the warm months. Plant it where it receives full sun to partial shade; the darker tones are less likely to fade if the plant is removed from the hottest, full southern exposure. Soil need not be specialist — almost any reasonable soil from loam to clay is acceptable and pH may be acid, neutral or alkaline. It prefers moist but well-drained conditions yet will tolerate both damp sites and drier soils once established. Hardiness is rated H6–H7, meaning it is very hardy to fully hardy in UK gardens and will tolerate exposed or sheltered positions. Use Hemerocallis 'Dorothy McDade' in mixed borders, for massed drifts, in containers or as a source of cut flowers; the scented blooms work well for simple summer bouquets. Note it is toxic to cats — see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers. Plant so the upright scapes sit clearly above the arching leaves for best floral display.

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 'Dorothy McDade' 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 planting, containers, cut flowers
Fragrance: Flower
Toxicity: TOXIC to pets (cats) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hemerocallis 'Dorothy McDade'

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 'Dorothy McDade'?

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 'Dorothy McDade'?

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

What soil does Hemerocallis 'Dorothy McDade' need?

Hemerocallis 'Dorothy McDade' 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 'Dorothy McDade'?

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 'Dorothy McDade' hardy in the UK?

Hemerocallis 'Dorothy McDade' 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 'Dorothy McDade'?

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.

Is Hemerocallis 'Dorothy McDade' toxic?

TOXIC to pets (cats) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers.

More in the Hemerocallis genus

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