Hemerocallis 'Dream Waltz' (Daylily) — Clump-forming, arching foliage with upright scapes

Overview

Hemerocallis 'Dream Waltz' 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 'Dream Waltz' 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 'Dream Waltz' is a clump-forming perennial daylily producing flowers on upright scapes above arching, strap-shaped foliage. The leaves are fresh green and the plant is deciduous or semi-evergreen. It flowers in the UK from June to August and carries a mild fragrance.

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 'Dream Waltz' is a cultivar in the Asphodelaceae grown for summer flowering on upright scapes that rise from a fountain of arching, strap-shaped leaves. As a perennial it forms definite clumps and is used where repeated seasonal impact is wanted rather than a permanent woody structure. Place it in full sun to partial shade; darker flower tones (if present) hold up better away from hot sun. It tolerates almost any reasonable soil from loam to clay and will grow in acid, neutral or alkaline conditions. Prefer a moist but well drained site; once established this daylily will accept periods of damp or dry soil. It suits any aspect and will perform in exposed or sheltered positions. In UK hardiness terms it sits at H6–H7, equivalent to very hardy to fully hardy for British gardens. Use Hemerocallis 'Dream Waltz' in mixed borders, for mass planting, in containers or as cut flowers where upright scapes are useful. The plant’s mild fragrance is noticeable on warm days and its blooms appear from June to August, providing a clear seasonal display in summer beds and containers.

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 'Dream Waltz' 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: Mild fragrance

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hemerocallis 'Dream Waltz'

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 'Dream Waltz'?

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 'Dream Waltz'?

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

What soil does Hemerocallis 'Dream Waltz' need?

Hemerocallis 'Dream Waltz' 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 'Dream Waltz'?

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 'Dream Waltz' hardy in the UK?

Hemerocallis 'Dream Waltz' 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 'Dream Waltz'?

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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