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'
- 'Scarlet Apache'
- 'Stella de Oro'
H. hybrida
H. minor
- 'Buttered popcorn'
- 'Buttered popcorn', H. fulva, H. hybrida, H. minor, 'Scarlet Apache', 'Stella de Oro'
- Tags:
![Hemerocallis](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Hemerocallis-Daylily_5N1wb0IxD67f.jpeg)
![Hemerocallis](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Hemerocallis-flower-_5MlPiXPPcfBK.jpeg)
![2 Toned Flower - Summer - Buncombe Co., NC](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Hemerocallis_two_ton_9l2schyMDmO4.jpeg)
![6 Petalled Flower - Summer - Buncombe Co., NC](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Hemerocallis_6_petal_kdHSmxm34KxD.jpeg)
![Hemerocallis](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Hemerocallis-Forest__Ji9MshDA3fT6.jpeg)
![Hemerocallis](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Hemerocallis-_Daylil_a4629MhpTIl4.jpeg)
![Hemerocallis](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Hemerocallis-hybrida_89ZWZRGQMx7j.jpeg)
![Hemerocallis](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Hemerocallis-fugzu-C_SVjxBw13hF4i.jpeg)
![Hemerocallis](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Hemerocallis-hybrida_YO8YdXRa9uHF.jpeg)
![Hemerocallis](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Hemerocallis-Daylily_j7I9iRnoT7Jq.jpeg)
![Flowers](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Hemerocallis_Buttere_yjl1vupc9Ifl.jpeg)
![Hemerocallis](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Hemerocallis_Daylily_txwEvJw5nI13.jpg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Hemerocallis-Daylily_QTEJ6bJ4oS1f.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Hemerocallis-flower-_iQ7MzAU9B9Rt.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Hemerocallis_two_ton_l7Y3JHo1tDUF.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Hemerocallis_6_petal_FZzRzOWBLw8c.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Hemerocallis-Forest__Pqh7KePCtrNJ.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Hemerocallis-_Daylil_YZgAqTruthH7.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Hemerocallis-hybrida_bFEit36dsWmp.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Hemerocallis-fugzu-C_A5hHdgOOdcoQ.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Hemerocallis-Carl_Le_dpjxUr4faMJo.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Hemerocallis-hybrida_ELSIVv1IlQV4.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Hemerocallis-Daylily_PnB9iccz4LTi.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Hemerocallis_Buttere_kYArOGTdQqWd.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Hemerocallis_Daylily_hQB4Q40wAR03.jpg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Copy_of_Hemerocallis_JmB1DewhZ1E5.jpeg)
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Buttered popcorn'
- 'Scarlet Apache'
- 'Stella de Oro'
H. hybrida
H. minor
- 'Buttered popcorn'
- 'Buttered popcorn', H. fulva, H. hybrida, H. minor, 'Scarlet Apache', 'Stella de Oro'
- Tags:
-
-
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