Hemerocallis fulva (common orange daylily) — Clump-forming, arching foliage with upright scapes

Overview

Hemerocallis fulva 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 1.0 m tall and 0.6 m wide. Hemerocallis fulva 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, naturalizing and erosion control. It is native to China and Japan.

About

Hemerocallis fulva is a clump-forming perennial with arching, strap-shaped foliage and upright flowering scapes. It bears orange blooms from June to August. Plants reach about 1.0 m tall with a 0.6 m spread and often carry fresh green leaves that are deciduous or semi-evergreen.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hemerocallis fulva

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 fulva (family Asphodelaceae) originates from China and Japan and is grown for its bright orange flowers and architectural strap‑shaped leaves. It forms tidy clumps with upright scapes that reach roughly 1.0 m, making it immediately visible above lower herbaceous planting. Flowering runs from June to August. Give it full sun to partial shade; darker flower tones tend to hold better out of the strongest sun. Soil can be almost any reasonable type from loam to clay and of any pH (acid, neutral or alkaline). It prefers moist but well drained conditions yet tolerates both damp and dry soils once established. Aspect and exposure are not critical — it suits exposed or sheltered sites — and it is rated H6–H7 (very hardy to fully hardy) for UK gardens. Use Hemerocallis fulva for long ribbons in borders, mass plantings, naturalising on verges or for erosion control on banks where its clump-forming habit can stabilise soil. Note that it is toxic to pets (cats); consult the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers. Position clumps so the 1.0 m scapes can rise above nearby low plants to show the flowers clearly.

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 fulva 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: 1.0 m
Spread: 0.6 m
Suggested uses: Borders, mass planting, naturalizing, erosion control
Native to: China, Japan
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 fulva

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 fulva?

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 fulva?

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

What soil does Hemerocallis fulva need?

Hemerocallis fulva 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 fulva?

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 fulva grow?

Hemerocallis fulva reaches a height of 1.0 m and a spread of 0.6 m.

Is Hemerocallis fulva hardy in the UK?

Hemerocallis fulva 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 fulva?

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 fulva 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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