Plant DetailShow Menu

Hemerocallis fulva is often confused with:
Hemerocallis hybrida Hemerocallis hybrida
Hemerocallis minor Form
Native alternative(s) for Hemerocallis fulva:
Lilium philadelphicum Butterfly on flowers
Lilium superbum Form in bloom
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Hemerocallis hybrida Hemerocallis hybrida
Phlox maculata Form in native habitat
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Hemerocallis fulva has some common disease problems:
Daylily Leafminer

Ditch Lily Hemerocallis fulva

Phonetic Spelling
hem-eh-roh-KAL-iss FUL-vuh
Description

Orange daylily is a herbaceous perennial bulb in the daylily family (Asphodelaceae). Its native range is Asia, including China and Japan, but it has naturalized in Europe and much of North America (including North Carolina). The genus name comes from the Greek words hemera for “day” and kallos for “beauty.” This refers to the fact that each flower lasts just one day. The species epithet, fulva, refers to the flower’s reddish-yellow or tawny amber color. The plants are roughly 2.5 feet in height and width.

This daylily grows in full sun to partial shade in average, well-drained soil, but does tolerate poor soil as well. It is low maintenance with only moderate water requirements and naturalizes easily. The clump, which spreads rapidly by rhizomes, may be divided for propagation as needed.

The orange daylily blooms are very striking, up to 5 inches in diameter, their scapes rising up to 6 feet tall above the sword-like leaves. It grows in large clumps, naturalizing along roads and in older gardens.

Orange daylily adds interest to a perennial border, or when massed over larger areas. It is well-suited for butterfly, drought-tolerant, edible, or pollinator gardens. It may slow or halt erosion when planted on slopes. When not in bloom, the plants provide texture to the garden and crowd out weeds. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No significant problems. The plant is reportedly toxic to cats.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common day lily diseases and other plant problems.

For more daylily options see Hemerocallis hybrida, which includes the showier hybrids that are more common in cultivation than the species.

VIDEO Created by Homegrown

More information on Hemerocallis.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#arching#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#easy to grow#edible flowers#low maintenance#rabbit resistant#fast growing#herbaceous#well-drained soil#easy to transplant#spreading#rhizomes#herbaceous perennial#ditches#naturalizes#clumping#poor soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#HS302#problem for cats#non-toxic for dogs#perennial#weed#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#arching#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#easy to grow#edible flowers#low maintenance#rabbit resistant#fast growing#herbaceous#well-drained soil#easy to transplant#spreading#rhizomes#herbaceous perennial#ditches#naturalizes#clumping#poor soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#HS302#problem for cats#non-toxic for dogs#perennial#weed#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hemerocalis
    Species:
    fulva
    Family:
    Asphodelaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Asia
    Distribution:
    Eastern US, and in parts of the Midwest, especially at older homesites
    Edibility:
    Buds and flowers are edible and have been described as having a sweet-spicy or peppery flavor.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Orange
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Trumpet
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Upward facing, tawny, unspotted blooms with a central stripe that last for one day; leafless flower stem
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    long, linear, strap-like, bright-green, 1 to 3 ft. long, and arching toward the ground.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Edible Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Erosion
    Heat
    Humidity
    Pollution
    Poor Soil
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats