Overview
Hemerocallis dumortieri 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. It typically grows around 0.5 m tall. Hemerocallis dumortieri 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 and naturalizing. It is native to Far East.
About
Hemerocallis dumortieri is a clump-forming perennial with arching, strap-shaped leaves and upright scapes that carry scented flowers from June to August. It typically reaches about 0.5 m tall and comes from the Far East. The foliage is fresh green and can be deciduous or semi-evergreen depending on winter conditions. Its flowers are fragrant, and the plant is toxic to cats — see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for details.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hemerocallis dumortieri
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 dumortieri belongs to the Asphodelaceae and originates in the Far East. Plants form neat clumps of arching, strap-shaped leaves with upright scapes that present fragrant blooms in the UK between June and August. At about 0.5 m high the flowering stems stand clear of the foliage, which may be deciduous or semi-evergreen. Grow it in full sun to partial shade; darker flower colours hold better out of the hottest sun. It tolerates a wide range of soils from loam to clay and adapts to acid, neutral or alkaline conditions. Aim for a moist but well-drained site — the species will cope with both damp and drier soils once established. It suits any aspect and will tolerate exposed or sheltered positions; hardiness H6–H7 means it is very hardy to fully hardy for UK gardens. Use Hemerocallis dumortieri in mixed borders, for mass planting or to naturalise in grassy areas where its upright scapes will punctuate the planting. Note the flowers are scented and the plant is toxic to cats, so position it away from areas where pets roam. Because the scapes rise above the arching leaves, the June–August flower display remains highly visible even in larger groups.
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 dumortieri 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
- Height
- 0.5 m
- Suggested uses
- Borders, mass planting, naturalizing
- Native to
- Far East
- 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 dumortieri
- 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 dumortieri?
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 dumortieri?
Hemerocallis dumortieri prefers full sun to partial shade; darker colours hold better out of hot sun. It suits exposed or sheltered positions.
What soil does Hemerocallis dumortieri need?
Hemerocallis dumortieri 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 dumortieri?
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.
How big does Hemerocallis dumortieri grow?
Hemerocallis dumortieri reaches a height of 0.5 m.
Is Hemerocallis dumortieri hardy in the UK?
Hemerocallis dumortieri 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 dumortieri?
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 dumortieri 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
- Hemerocallisdaylily
- Hemerocallis 'Alan'daylily 'Alan'
- Hemerocallis 'All the Magic'Daylily
- Hemerocallis 'Angel Artistry'Daylily
- Hemerocallis 'Bobby's Lavender Eyes'Daylily
- Hemerocallis 'Bursting Bubble'Daylily
- Hemerocallis 'Carolina Low Country'Daylily
- Hemerocallis 'Cartwheels'daylily 'Cartwheels'
