Hemerocallis 'Secretary's Sand' (Daylily) — Clump forming

Overview

Hemerocallis 'Secretary's Sand' is a plant with a clump forming habit in the genus Hemerocallis, part of the Asphodelaceae family, with deciduous, semi-evergreen foliage. Hemerocallis 'Secretary's Sand' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include borders and containers.

About

Hemerocallis 'Secretary's Sand' is a clump-forming cultivar of Hemerocallis in the Asphodelaceae that produces summer flowers. It carries deciduous to semi-evergreen foliage and performs best in full sun. Plant in moist but well-drained soils across a wide pH range, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. Flowering period runs June to August.

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 'Secretary's Sand' is a clump-forming perennial in the Asphodelaceae grown for its summer display. As a member of the Hemerocallis group, it produces a sequence of blooms through June to August and has foliage that may be deciduous or persist semi-evergreen depending on winter conditions. Position in full sun on a south- or west-facing site for strongest flowering, and choose soil that stays moist but drains freely; it will tolerate chalk, clay, loam or sand and accepts acid, neutral or alkaline pH. Exposure need not be exacting — it will cope in both sheltered and more exposed spots — and it carries a UK hardiness of H6 (very hardy), so it withstands cold winters experienced widely across the UK. Use the cultivar at the front or middle of mixed borders, or in containers where the clump habit reads well and flowering can be appreciated at close range. To maintain vigour, lift and divide congested clumps when shoots start in spring; removing spent flower stems after flowering keeps the clump tidier and directs energy back into the crown.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Hemerocallis

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, West-facing
Exposure: Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness: H6

Plant details

Hemerocallis 'Secretary's Sand' size, habit and characteristics

Habit: Clump forming
Foliage: Deciduous, Semi-evergreen
Suggested uses: Borders, Containers

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hemerocallis 'Secretary's Sand'

Propagation: Division in early spring or early autumn
Pest resistance: Aphids, Slugs, Snails, Hemerocallis gall midge, Glasshouse red spider mite, Thrips
Disease resistance: Fungal leaf spot, Rust diseases, Bacterial leaf and stem rot

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Hemerocallis 'Secretary's Sand'?

Hemerocallis 'Secretary's Sand' prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.

What soil does Hemerocallis 'Secretary's Sand' need?

Hemerocallis 'Secretary's Sand' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.