Hemerocallis littorea (Day Lily) — Clump-forming, arching foliage with upright scapes

Overview

Hemerocallis littorea 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 0.9 m tall. Hemerocallis littorea 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 coastal gardens, borders, rockeries and seaside planting. It is native to Coastal regions of South Korea and Japan.

About

Hemerocallis littorea is a clump-forming perennial with arching, strap-shaped leaves and upright scapes bearing fragrant flowers. It grows to about 0.9 m and flowers June to August. Foliage may be deciduous or semi-evergreen depending on site. Best sited in full sun to partial shade, with darker flower colours holding better out of strong sun.

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 littorea is a coastal Asian day lily from the shores of South Korea and Japan, valued for its fragrant blooms set above a fountain of arching, strap-shaped leaves. Flowering runs from June to August and plants form distinctive clumps that reach roughly 0.9 m in height. Give it full sun or part shade; darker tones in the flowers are less likely to fade if the plant is relieved from the hottest afternoon sun. It will grow in almost any reasonable garden soil from loam to clay and tolerates acid, neutral or alkaline pH. Aim for moist but well-drained conditions – once established it will cope with both damp and dry spells. H6–H7 hardiness means it is very hardy to fully hardy across much of the UK and suits both exposed and sheltered spots. Use Hemerocallis littorea in coastal borders, rockeries and seaside planting where exposure and variable soils are a factor, or as a structural clump in mixed borders. Allow room between plants for the arching foliage to spread so the scapes remain visible through the summer months.

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 littorea 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: 0.9 m
Suggested uses: Coastal gardens, borders, rockeries, seaside planting
Native to: Coastal regions of South Korea and Japan
Fragrance: Fragrant

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hemerocallis littorea

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 littorea?

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 littorea?

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

What soil does Hemerocallis littorea need?

Hemerocallis littorea 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 littorea?

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 littorea grow?

Hemerocallis littorea reaches a height of 0.9 m.

Is Hemerocallis littorea hardy in the UK?

Hemerocallis littorea 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 littorea?

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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