Botanical Name: Hemerocallis spp.
Common Name: Daylily

 

Use: Outdoors
Indigenous/Exotic : Exotic
Evergreen/Deciduous : Evergreen
Plant Type : Perennial
Flower Colour : Various
Foliage Colour : Green
Best Season : Summer to autumn
Light : Sun to light shade
Hardiness : Semi hardy
Attributes : Wind resistant
Height (m) : .60
Spread (m) : .45 - .60
    
Notes : Day Lilies are very easy-to-grow, trouble-free, summer perennials.

 

Description
The exotic lily-like flowers are produced in succession during the season, although each bloom only lasts for a day. The colour range includes shades of yellow, orange, pink, salmon, lemon, red and burgundy. All rise above generous sheaves of long, strap-like leaves. The size of the blooms can vary from giants with flowers about 12 centimetres in diameter on stems a metre tall, to dainty dwarfs about 30 - 45 centimetres tall. Most of the newer cultivars are evergreen, but there are some deciduous to semi-evergreen varieties which are particularly well suited to areas with very cold winters.

 

Cultivation
Can be grown in almost all parts of South Africa, but are not well suited to regions which are very dry. Plant in fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. The plants will benefit from some shade in hot, dry situations, particularly the darker colours as they tend to fade in strong sunlight. Position the plants carefully, as the blooms will always turn towards the equator and the sun. Water evergreen types all year, and deciduous ones during the active growing season. Although they require little attention a mulch of humus is beneficial, as is an occasional application of fertiliser when the buds are developing. You need only divide the plants when they become badly overcrowded. This is best done in winter.

 

Uses
Ideal for rock gardens or on embankments. Will also grow well alongside pools. Plant in bold clumps of single colours.

 

Attributes
Easy to grow and suited to a wide variety of climatic conditions.

 

Available in every conceivable colour with the exception of pure white and pure blue.

 

Wind resistant.

 

Relatively free of disease and pests.

 

Bloom freely from summer to autumn.

 

Although the flower only lasts one day, the plant soon forms large clumps with multiple flowers.

 

The new hybrid varieties are available in many flower forms such as doubles, singles, ruffled and frilled, star and triangular, spider and miniatures plus a large range of colour combinations.