Hemerocallis fulva 'Europa' (Day Lily) — Clump-forming, arching foliage with upright scapes

Overview

Hemerocallis fulva 'Europa' 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 'Europa' 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 Asia.

About

Hemerocallis fulva 'Europa' is a clump-forming perennial with arching, strap-shaped leaves and upright scapes of summer flowers. It reaches about 1.0 m tall with a spread near 0.6 m and has deciduous or semi-evergreen fresh green foliage. Flowers appear from June to August. It tolerates a wide range of soils and aspect, making siting straightforward in many garden positions.

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 'Europa' is a perennial native to Asia that forms neat clumps of arching, strap-shaped foliage with upright flower scapes. The cultivar grows to around 1.0 m in height with a spread of roughly 0.6 m and flowers in the UK from June to August. Plant it in full sun to partial shade; darker flower tones hold better out of the hottest sun. It will tolerate almost any reasonable soil from loam to clay and is adaptable on pH, accepting acid, neutral or alkaline conditions. Best results come from moist but well drained soil, though once established it withstands both damp and dry situations. Aspect can be any and it performs in exposed or sheltered sites. Hardiness is rated H6–H7 (very hardy to fully hardy), so it endures typical UK winters without special protection. Use Hemerocallis fulva 'Europa' where a metre-tall, architectural mound of foliage is useful: group it for impact at the back of herbaceous borders, line a sunny path, or plant in drifts for repeated summer colour. The arching leaves provide season-long structure while upright scapes carry the June–August display.

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 'Europa' 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
Native to: Asia

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hemerocallis fulva 'Europa'

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 'Europa'?

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 'Europa'?

Hemerocallis fulva 'Europa' 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 'Europa' need?

Hemerocallis fulva 'Europa' 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 'Europa'?

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 'Europa' grow?

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

Is Hemerocallis fulva 'Europa' hardy in the UK?

Hemerocallis fulva 'Europa' 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 'Europa'?

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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