Hemerocallis esculenta of gardens (Nikkōkisuge, Zenteika) — Clump-forming, arching foliage with upright scapes

Overview

Hemerocallis esculenta 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 esculenta 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. It is native to Japan.

About

Hemerocallis esculenta of gardens is a clump-forming perennial from Japan with arching, strap-shaped foliage and upright flowering scapes. It produces yellow flowers between June and August. The foliage may be deciduous or semi-evergreen, and plants suit full sun to partial shade. It tolerates a wide range of soils from loam to clay and prefers moist but well drained conditions.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hemerocallis middendorffii var. esculenta

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 esculenta of gardens (Nikkōkisuge, Zenteika) is a perennial in the Asphodelaceae native to Japan, grown for its clump-forming habit and upright scapes that carry yellow blooms. Leaves form arching, strap-shaped clumps that may be deciduous or semi-evergreen, providing a low mound from which the flower stalks rise. Give it full sun to partial shade; darker flower tones hold up better when the plant is sheltered from hot, full sun. It will grow in almost any reasonable soil from loam to clay and accepts acid, neutral or alkaline pH. Plants prefer moist but well drained conditions and, once established, tolerate both damp and drier soils. Aspect is not critical and it will handle exposed or sheltered positions in the garden. Its hardiness is H6–H7, meaning it is very hardy to fully hardy in UK conditions and copes with most winter weather. Use Hemerocallis esculenta of gardens in mixed herbaceous borders, naturalistic drifts or on open banks where the upright scapes can be seen above the leaves. The seasonal display is concentrated: expect the main flower period from June to August, when the scapes lift yellow blooms above the strap-shaped foliage.

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 esculenta 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
Native to: Japan

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hemerocallis esculenta 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 esculenta 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 esculenta of gardens?

Hemerocallis esculenta 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 esculenta of gardens need?

Hemerocallis esculenta 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 esculenta 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 esculenta of gardens hardy in the UK?

Hemerocallis esculenta 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 esculenta 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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