Hemerocallis 'Lark Song' (daylily 'Lark Song') — Clump-forming, arching foliage with upright scapes

Overview

Hemerocallis 'Lark Song' 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 'Lark Song' 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, containers, cut flowers and cottage gardens.

About

Hemerocallis 'Lark Song' is a clump-forming perennial daylily with arching, strap-shaped leaves and upright flowering scapes. It carries fragrant blooms from June to August. Foliage can be deciduous or semi-evergreen, remaining fresh and green through much of the season. Plants suit borders, containers and cutting for the vase.

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 'Lark Song' is a perennial in the Asphodelaceae grown for its upright scapes and scented flowers that appear from June to August. The plant forms basal clumps of arching, strap-like leaves and will be either deciduous or semi-evergreen depending on winter conditions. Position in full sun to partial shade; keep darker flower tones out of the hottest direct sun where they can fade. It tolerates almost any reasonable soil from loam to clay and accepts acid, neutral or alkaline pH. Aim for a moist but well drained site — once established the clump tolerates periods of damp or dry. Aspect can be any and the species stands up to exposed or sheltered situations. In UK terms it ranges from very hardy to fully hardy (H6–H7), so it will survive winter across most regions. Plant Hemerocallis 'Lark Song' in groups for a strong summer display, in mixed borders, cottage-garden schemes, as a mass planting or in containers where the scapes can be shown off; the flowers also work well as cut stems. Note: TOXIC to pets (cats) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers. For best vase results, cut scapes at peak bloom to capture the flower's fragrance.

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 'Lark Song' 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
Suggested uses: Borders, mass planting, containers, cut flowers, cottage gardens
Fragrance: Flower
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 'Lark Song'

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 'Lark Song'?

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 'Lark Song'?

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

What soil does Hemerocallis 'Lark Song' need?

Hemerocallis 'Lark Song' 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 'Lark Song'?

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 'Lark Song' hardy in the UK?

Hemerocallis 'Lark Song' 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 'Lark Song'?

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 'Lark Song' 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

Browse all Hemerocallis →