Hemerocallis 'Salmon Sheen' (Daylily) — Clump-forming, arching foliage with upright scapes

Overview

Hemerocallis 'Salmon Sheen' 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 'Salmon Sheen' 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, cottage gardens and containers.

About

Hemerocallis 'Salmon Sheen' is a clump-forming perennial daylily with arching, strap-shaped leaves and upright scapes that carry its summer blooms. Foliage is fresh green and may be deciduous or semi-evergreen depending on winter conditions. It flowers from June to August and performs in a wide range of soil types and exposures. Plant in full sun to partial shade; darker flower tones will hold 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

Hemerocallis 'Salmon Sheen' is a cultivar of the daylily genus that produces arching basal foliage with erect flower stalks rising above the clump. The leaves are strap-shaped and fresh green, and the scapes present the bloom display during the UK summer, from June to August. Position it where the flowering season can be seen rising above lower plants rather than being shaded out. Give this plant full sun to partial shade; avoid intense midday sun if darker flower tones are important, since colours hold better in cooler light. It tolerates almost any reasonable soil from loam to clay and accepts acid, neutral or alkaline pH. The preference is for moist but well drained ground, though it will cope with both damp and dry conditions once established. Exposure may be sheltered or exposed and it suits the UK climate at H6–H7 (very hardy to fully hardy). Use Hemerocallis 'Salmon Sheen' in mixed borders, mass plantings, cottage schemes or in containers where its upright scapes can be displayed. It brings mid-summer vertical structure above arching foliage and performs across aspects, making it a straightforward architectural perennial for beds and edges. Expect the upright scapes to carry the season’s flowers from June through August, creating a defined summer presence.

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 'Salmon Sheen' 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 plantings, cottage gardens, containers

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hemerocallis 'Salmon Sheen'

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 'Salmon Sheen'?

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 'Salmon Sheen'?

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

What soil does Hemerocallis 'Salmon Sheen' need?

Hemerocallis 'Salmon Sheen' 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 'Salmon Sheen'?

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 'Salmon Sheen' hardy in the UK?

Hemerocallis 'Salmon Sheen' 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 'Salmon Sheen'?

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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