About
Hymenocallis macrostephana is a bulb-grown member of the Amaryllidaceae known in cultivation as the day lily or Spider. It produces fragrant flowers that appear from June to August. The plant is supplied and handled as ornamental bulbs. Bulbs are not for consumption; wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling and follow HTA guidance for pets.
About the genus
Hymenocallis (US) or (UK) is a genus of flowering plants in the Amaryllidaceae family native to the Americas.
Wikipedia contributors, "Hymenocallis", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hymenocallis
In the garden
Hymenocallis macrostephana sits in the Amaryllidaceae and is traded under common names such as day lily and Spider. It is offered as an ornamental bulb and is notable for its flower fragrance and a defined flowering season from June to August. These traits are the main reasons it is grown in gardens and by specialist growers. Bulbs should be treated as ornamental stock rather than food: they must not be eaten and handlers are advised to wear gloves and appropriate protective equipment. The information supplied with plants and the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants give useful contact numbers and further guidance for households with children or pets. In a UK setting the emphasis is on using the plant where its scented flowers will be appreciated during the summer months. Source bulbs from reputable suppliers and follow the supplier’s planting and aftercare notes. When lifting, dividing or disposing of bulbs, take care to avoid accidental ingestion by people or animals and to wear gloves throughout the operation.
Plant details
Hymenocallis macrostephana size, habit and characteristics
- Fragrance
- Flower
- Toxicity
- Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Frequently asked questions
Is Hymenocallis macrostephana toxic?
Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Hymenocallis genus
- Hymenocallis 'Sulphur Queen'
- Hymenocallis calathinaLily
- Hymenocallis festalis of gardens
- Hymenocallis 'Zwanenburg'