Hemerocallis fulva 'Maculata' (Spotted Daylily) — Clump-forming, arching foliage with upright scapes

Overview

Hemerocallis fulva 'Maculata' 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 'Maculata' 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 ground cover. It is native to Asia.

About

Hemerocallis fulva 'Maculata' is a clump-forming perennial with arching, strap-shaped leaves and upright flowering scapes. The foliage is deciduous or semi-evergreen and forms neat tussocks to about 0.6 m across. It flowers from June to August and suits a wide range of positions from full sun to partial shade. Plants reach roughly 1.0 m tall at the top of the scapes.

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

A perennial from Asia, Hemerocallis fulva 'Maculata' produces clumps of fresh green, strap-shaped leaves with erect scapes rising above the foliage. The plant is deciduous or semi-evergreen and grows to about 1.0 m in height with a spread near 0.6 m; flowering occurs between June and August. Plant where it receives full sun to partial shade — note that darker flower colours hold better out of strong afternoon sun — and in almost any reasonable soil from loam to clay. It will tolerate acid, neutral or alkaline pH. Aim for soil that is moist but well drained; once established the clumps cope with both damp and drier conditions. Aspect is not critical and the species does well in exposed or sheltered sites. Hardiness is H6–H7, meaning very hardy to fully hardy in UK gardens. Space plants at about their mature spread to allow the clumps to develop for borders, massing or naturalising. It suits mixed borders, large beds and ground-covering passages where the arching foliage and upright scapes provide structure. The flowering scapes sit above the leaves, so blooms are clearly displayed 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 fulva 'Maculata' 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, ground cover
Native to: Asia

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hemerocallis fulva 'Maculata'

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 'Maculata'?

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 'Maculata'?

Hemerocallis fulva 'Maculata' 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 'Maculata' need?

Hemerocallis fulva 'Maculata' 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 'Maculata'?

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 'Maculata' grow?

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

Is Hemerocallis fulva 'Maculata' hardy in the UK?

Hemerocallis fulva 'Maculata' 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 'Maculata'?

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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