Hemerocallis fulva var. rosea (Day Lily) — Clump-forming, arching foliage with upright scapes

Overview

Hemerocallis fulva var. rosea 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 var. rosea 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 var. rosea is a clump-forming perennial with arching, strap-shaped foliage and upright flower scapes. Leaves are fresh green and may be deciduous or semi-evergreen depending on site. Plants reach about 1.0 m high with a spread near 0.6 m. It suits a range of soils from loam to clay and tolerates both damp and dry conditions once established.

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 var. rosea is a member of the Asphodelaceae and originates from Asia. It forms dense clumps of arching, strap-shaped leaves with erect scapes carrying the flowers in summer; expect flowering in the UK from June to August. The plant habit and height—about 1.0 m tall and 0.6 m across—make it straightforward to site in mixed borders or as a planted drift on a bank where movement of the foliage complements other perennials. Give the plant full sun to partial shade; darker tones hold better when it is sheltered from hot, full sun. Soil can be almost any reasonable garden soil, from loam to heavy clay, and it tolerates acid, neutral or alkaline pH. Keep soil moist but well drained at planting; the clump will cope with periods of damp or dry once established. Aspect may be any and the plant handles exposed as well as sheltered positions. Hardiness is H6–H7, meaning it is very hardy to fully hardy in UK gardens. Plant with enough room to form a 0.6 m clump and lift and divide when the centre begins to thin to maintain vigour.

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 var. rosea 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 var. rosea

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 var. rosea?

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 var. rosea?

Hemerocallis fulva var. rosea 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 var. rosea need?

Hemerocallis fulva var. rosea 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 var. rosea?

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 var. rosea grow?

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

Is Hemerocallis fulva var. rosea hardy in the UK?

Hemerocallis fulva var. rosea 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 var. rosea?

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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