Hemerocallis multiflora (many-flowered daylily) — Clump-forming, arching foliage with upright scapes

Overview

Hemerocallis multiflora 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. Hemerocallis multiflora 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 plantings, naturalized areas and cottage gardens. It is native to China.

About

Hemerocallis multiflora is a clump-forming perennial daylily that bears numerous flowers on upright scapes above arching, strap-shaped leaves. Foliage is deciduous or semi-evergreen and fresh green in colour. Plants reach about 1.0 m in height and flower from June to August. It suits a wide range of soil types from loam to clay.

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 multiflora belongs to the Asphodelaceae and is native to China. It forms basal clumps of arching, strap-like leaves and sends up upright scapes that carry many blooms; flowering is reliably between June and August. The genus is well known in cultivation for clump-forming perennials and this species follows that pattern. Position it in full sun to partial shade; darker flower tones will hold better if the plant is sheltered from the hottest sun. It tolerates almost any reasonable soil, from loam to heavier clay, across acid, neutral or alkaline pH. Soil should be moist but well drained; once established the plants will tolerate both damp and drier periods. Hemerocallis multiflora is rated H6–H7, meaning it is very hardy to fully hardy across the UK and will withstand typical winter conditions. Use many-flowered daylily in mixed borders where upright scapes can punctuate lower plants, in massed drifts or naturalised areas and in cottage garden layouts. At roughly 1.0 m tall, the arching foliage provides a fountain-like base for the flowering stems, and the plant suits any aspect and both exposed and sheltered sites.

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 multiflora 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
Suggested uses: Borders, mass plantings, naturalized areas, cottage gardens
Native to: China

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hemerocallis multiflora

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 multiflora?

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 multiflora?

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

What soil does Hemerocallis multiflora need?

Hemerocallis multiflora 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 multiflora?

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 multiflora grow?

Hemerocallis multiflora reaches a height of 1.0 m.

Is Hemerocallis multiflora hardy in the UK?

Hemerocallis multiflora 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 multiflora?

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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