Hemerocallis flava — Clump-forming, arching foliage with upright scapes

Overview

Hemerocallis flava 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 flava 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 China.

About

Hemerocallis flava is a clump-forming perennial in the Asphodelaceae with arching, strap-shaped leaves and upright flower scapes. Native to China, it flowers in the UK from June to August. The foliage is deciduous or semi-evergreen and remains fresh green for much of the season. It tolerates a wide range of soils and light from full sun to partial shade.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus

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 flava comes from China and forms clumps of arching, strap-shaped leaves topped by upright scapes that carry the summer flowers; in the UK the flowering season is June to August. The foliage may be deciduous or semi-evergreen and is described as fresh green. Position plants in full sun to partial shade — darker colours hold better out of hot sun — and use almost any reasonable soil from loam to clay. Soil pH can be acid, neutral or alkaline. It prefers moist but well drained conditions yet will tolerate both damp and dry ground once established. Aspect is flexible and the species performs in exposed or sheltered sites. Classed H6–H7 (very hardy to fully hardy), Hemerocallis flava suits mixed perennial borders and places where a clump-forming perennial provides structure. Plant several crowns together for more immediate presence; the arching leaves and upright scapes make it most effective in mid-border positions where the summer display is at eye level. Expect the arching, strap-shaped leaves to be topped by upright scapes bearing their summer blooms from June to August.

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 flava 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: China

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hemerocallis flava

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 flava?

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 flava?

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

What soil does Hemerocallis flava need?

Hemerocallis flava 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 flava?

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 flava hardy in the UK?

Hemerocallis flava 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 flava?

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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