Day Lily Hemerocallis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hem-eh-roh-KAL-iss
- Description
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Old-fashioned orange and yellow daylilies have been hybridized to produce modern daylilies in a rainbow of colors and with flowering times from spring through summer. Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil high in organic matter. When planting, cover tubers in 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil; it is not usually necessary to lift and store them for the winter. Propagate plants by division in the fall or spring. These plants are frequently damaged by deer but are highly salt tolerant and easy to grow. They are excellent to plant along banks and slopes and provide a nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds. However, they are toxic to cats, so be mindful of where you place these plants if you are a pet owner.
The genus name is derived from the Greek words hemera– day– and kallos– beauty– referring to the fact that each flower only lasts a day. It used to be classified under Liliaceae.
The flower tastes like asparagus or zucchini and can be eaten fresh, fried, or dried. It may act as a diuretic or laxative so eat in moderation. It has also been used in soap.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Cats can show signs of vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, kidney failure, and even death after eating this plant.
Quick ID Hints:
- Tall erect herbs with grass-like leaves
- Leaves often folded somewhat
- Flowers large to gigantic, reds to yellows
- Flowers with narrow tube opening to large bell-sha
Clump-forming, erect perennial herbs.
Blooms early summer to frost; numerous cultivars, varying in plant size, flower size, color & degree of maculation; flowers ephemeral, lasting about one day; utilized in rock gardens, specimens, borders, containers, tree bases; floral color may fade in full sun.
Prefers full sun to partial shade, high fertile organic soils that are well-drained; no serious pest-disease problems.
VIDEO Created by Homegrown
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Round Garden Bed Relaxed Foundation Planting Flower Bonanza Garden Davidson County Demo Garden Flower Bonanza Garden Plant Walls and Hedges Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden Collector’s Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- H. fulva, H. hybrida, H. minor
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- H. fulva, H. hybrida, H. minor
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hemerocallis
- Family:
- Hemerocallidaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used in many Chinese dishes and also in soap.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia, hybrid origin
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies and birds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Fragrance
- Edibility:
- The flower tastes like asparagus or zucchini and can be eaten fresh, fried, or dried. It may act as a diuretic or laxative so eat in moderation.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Has many cultivars that come in a variety of colors with bloom times from spring through summer. Each 2 to 6 in. trumpet-shaped bloom lasts only a day. Provides nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds. Terminal, bracteate, racemose, sometimes branched; peduncle elongated. Carotenoid-pigmented, salverform-campanulate; perianth tube narrow, elongated, flaring into broad speading bell-shaped, lobes prominent, spreading, to becoming lax reflexed apically; maculation variable.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 6-14 in. long, narrow leaves. 2-ranked, linear, tapered, arching 1/3-2/3 along length; blade lying flat or folded.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Salt
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
