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Hemerocallis is often confused with:
Lilium Lillium michiganense
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Dianthus caryophyllus Dianthus caryophyllus plants
Lantana camara Lantana camara flower
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis

Hemerocallis

Common Name(s):

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

Daylilies are clump-forming, erect, herbaceous perennials in the Hemerocallidaceae (daylily) family. Growing 1 to 1.5 feet in height and width, they are native to Asia and central Europe and are not, in fact, lilies. The genus name is derived from the Greek words hemera, meaning day, and kallos, meaning beauty, referring to the fact that each flower lasts only a day. 

Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil high in organic matter. When planting, cover tubers in 1 inch of soil. It is not usually necessary to lift and store them for the winter. Propagate plants by division in the fall or spring.

Old-fashioned orange and yellow daylilies have been hybridized to produce numerous, modern cultivars in a rainbow of colors, various sizes, and with flowering times from spring through summer to frost. These plants are highly salt tolerant and easy to grow. However, they are frequently damaged by deer.

Daylilies are excellent to plant along banks and slopes. They can also be utilized in rock gardens, as specimens, in borders or containers, or at tree bases. They are also useful in a butterfly or childrens’ garden, as they provide a nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds.

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-shape

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious pest-disease problems. These plants are toxic to cats, which may show signs of vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, kidney failure, and even death after eating.

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

VIDEO Created by Homegrown

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Collector’s Garden Floricyle Relaxed Foundation Planting Flower Bonanza Garden Davidson County Extension Demonstration Garden Plant Walls and Hedges Paths & Walkways Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden Japanese Shade Garden Pond Garden Four-Season Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Buttered popcorn', H. fulva, H. hybrida, H. minor, 'Scarlet Apache', 'Stella de Oro'
Tags:
#fragrant#hummingbird friendly#hardy#bulb#showy flowers#deciduous#easy to grow#pink flowers#yellow flowers#salt tolerant#orange flowers#tuberous#apvg#well-drained soil#easy to transplant#rich soils#burgundy#children's garden#playground plant#summer bulbs#hybrids#pollinator plant#fantz#butterfly friendly#spring flowering bulbs#HS302#problem for cats#apvg-p#non-toxic for dogs#perennial#landscape plant sleuths course#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Buttered popcorn', H. fulva, H. hybrida, H. minor, 'Scarlet Apache', 'Stella de Oro'
Tags:
#fragrant#hummingbird friendly#hardy#bulb#showy flowers#deciduous#easy to grow#pink flowers#yellow flowers#salt tolerant#orange flowers#tuberous#apvg#well-drained soil#easy to transplant#rich soils#burgundy#children's garden#playground plant#summer bulbs#hybrids#pollinator plant#fantz#butterfly friendly#spring flowering bulbs#HS302#problem for cats#apvg-p#non-toxic for dogs#perennial#landscape plant sleuths course#cpp
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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