Hemerocallis 'Stafford' (daylily 'Stafford') — Clump-forming, arching foliage with upright scapes

Overview

Hemerocallis 'Stafford' 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 'Stafford' 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 planting, containers and cut flowers.

About

Hemerocallis 'Stafford' is a clump-forming perennial in the Asphodelaceae with arching, strap-shaped leaves and upright flowering scapes. It produces its blooms from June to August. The foliage is deciduous or semi-evergreen and forms a neat fountain of fresh green leaves. Use it in borders, for massing, in containers or as a source of cut flowers.

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 'Stafford' is a clump-forming cultivar of Hemerocallis in the Asphodelaceae, carrying arching strap-like leaves and upright scapes that bear flowers from June to August. The foliage may be deciduous or semi-evergreen depending on site; leaves are fresh green and arch away from the crown, setting the scapes clear above the clump. Plant 'Stafford' in full sun to partial shade; note that darker flower tones hold better out of hot sun. It tolerates almost any reasonable soil from loam to clay and accepts acid, neutral or alkaline pH. Soils should be moist but well drained, although once established the plants tolerate both damp and dry conditions. It is rated H6–H7 (very hardy to fully hardy), so it will withstand typical UK winters in most locations and suits exposed or sheltered positions and any aspect. Choose locations for borders, mass planting or containers where the arching foliage can form a defined clump and the upright scapes can be seen above neighbouring plants. Flowers from June to August make it useful for summer cutting. Take care with pets: TOXIC to pets (cats) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers.

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 'Stafford' 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 planting, containers, cut flowers
Toxicity: TOXIC to pets (cats) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hemerocallis 'Stafford'

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 'Stafford'?

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 'Stafford'?

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

What soil does Hemerocallis 'Stafford' need?

Hemerocallis 'Stafford' 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 'Stafford'?

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 'Stafford' hardy in the UK?

Hemerocallis 'Stafford' 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 'Stafford'?

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.

Is Hemerocallis 'Stafford' toxic?

TOXIC to pets (cats) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers.

More in the Hemerocallis genus

Browse all Hemerocallis →