Tawny daylily
Hemerocallis fulva · Asphodelaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant tawny daylily: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous to semi-evergreen depending on climate
- Flowering
- June to September, ephemeral flowers
- Adult size
- 24 to 36 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide
- Growth
- Fast and vigorous
- Hardiness
- -4 to -13 °F
- Origin
- Southeast Asia (China, Japan)
- Soil type
- Rich, well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral
Care
Watering
Water regularly during the growing season (spring-summer), especially in hot, dry weather. Once established, daylily tolerates moderate dry periods thanks to its tuberous roots. Avoid standing water which promotes rot.
Exposure
Choose a spot with direct sun (6 to 8 hours daily) for abundant flowering. Daylily tolerates partial shade but will flower less generously. In dense shade, the plant will become leggy and produce few flowers.
Pruning and deadheading
Regularly remove spent flowers to encourage new bud formation. In late fall or early spring, cut back dry foliage to a few inches from the soil to tidy the clump. Divide clumps every 3 to 4 years.
Soil
Prepare rich, well-structured and well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Adding compost at planting time will help establishment. The plant adapts to different pH levels but prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil.
Fertilizer
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring when growth resumes. Moderate feeding in May-June stimulates blooming. Avoid excess nitrogen which would favor foliage at the expense of flowers.
Diseases and pests
Daylily is relatively disease-resistant. Watch out for slugs and snails attacking young foliage. Excessive moisture can cause leaf spots; improve air circulation and reduce watering in such cases.
Did you know?
The name "Daylily" literally means "beautiful for a day" in Greek: each flower opens for only 24 hours. Native to Asia, this plant has inspired Chinese and Japanese poetry for centuries, symbolizing fleeting beauty and the acceptance of change.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Blueberry lilyDianella revoluta
- Cerulean flaxlilyDianella caerulea
- Tasmanian flax-lilyDianella tasmanica
- New Zealand flaxPhormium tenax
- Tree aloeAloe arborescens
- Lemon daylilyHemerocallis lilioasphodelus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.