Hemerocallis middendorfiana (Daylily) — Clump-forming, arching foliage with upright scapes

Overview

Hemerocallis middendorfiana 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 middendorfiana 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.

About

Hemerocallis middendorfiana is a clump-forming perennial in the Asphodelaceae with arching, strap-shaped leaves and upright flowering scapes. It produces its flowers in the UK from June to August. The foliage may be deciduous or semi-evergreen and remains fresh green through the growing season. It tolerates a wide range of soils and light conditions, holding darker flower tones better out of hot 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

A member of the genus Hemerocallis within the Asphodelaceae, Hemerocallis middendorfiana forms neat clumps of arching, strap-shaped leaves from which upright scapes rise. In the UK it flowers from June to August, providing midsummer interest on tall stems above the foliage. Give it full sun to partial shade; the plant will tolerate any aspect and suits both exposed and sheltered sites. Soil can range from loam to clay and may be acid, neutral or alkaline. A moist but well-drained site is ideal, though the species endures both damp and drier conditions once established. In hotter, sunnier spots darker flower tones hold better in a little afternoon shade. It is rated H6–H7, meaning it is very hardy to fully hardy in UK gardens. Use Hemerocallis middendorfiana where you want architectural, linear foliage and upright summer blooms: long herbaceous borders, alongside paths or grouped for mass effect. The arching leaves give structure through the season; in milder areas they can remain semi-evergreen, while in colder exposures the clump will die back and re-emerge with the next growth cycle.

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 middendorfiana 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

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hemerocallis middendorfiana

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 middendorfiana?

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 middendorfiana?

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

What soil does Hemerocallis middendorfiana need?

Hemerocallis middendorfiana 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 middendorfiana?

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 middendorfiana hardy in the UK?

Hemerocallis middendorfiana 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 middendorfiana?

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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