Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus
This lovely yellow daylily is one of the first plants to really show its colours in the Mixed Borders in summer. You can spot it near the entrance to the Plant Centre, and in the borders its golden, starry flowers and green strappy leaves bring light and freshness and the promise of the summer to come. But come later in the day to see it – it’s a nocturnal flower, and it is especially suited to your garden if you sit out in the evening.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Yellow daylily
- Family
- Hemerocallidaceae
- Height & spread
- 80cm (2ft 8in) x 1m (3ft 3in)
- Form
- Semi evergreen herbaceous perennial
- Soil
- Moist but well-drained fertile soil
- Aspect
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
Hemerocallis
The genus Hemerocallis contains around 30,000 recognised cultivars and species which may be evergreen or herbaceous perennials, and have narrow, strap-shaped leaves and funnel-shaped flowers on erect stems.
The name Hemerocallis comes from the Greek word hemera meaning day and kalos for beautiful. This refers to the fact that the beautiful flowers only last one day; luckily they are remontant, meaning they flower repeatedly throughout the season.
Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus
H. lilioasphodelus is a spreading rhizomatous perennial and is found in large clumps in China. Following its introduction around the 17th century it was one of the first day lilies used for breeding. The name lilioasphodelus comes from lilio meaning lily and asphodelus referring to its resemblance to an Asphodel flower.
It has narrow leaves 50-65cm (20-26in) long and produces star-shaped, bright lemon-yellow, fragrant flowers in early summer. These are up to 9cm (3.5in) across and are nocturnal, meaning that they don’t open until late afternoon, but will last for around 16 hours.
This plant is ideal for use in a mixed or herbaceous border or planted in drifts for a wild garden. It is one of the few plants to cope well with a heavy clay soil.
Cultivation
- It may need watering in spring to early summer in dry conditions to ensure flowering. Cutting back the dead foliage and removing spent flowers will keep it at its best.
- Hemerocallis lilioasphodeluscan be affected by a leaf spot and can also be damaged by aphids and gall midges.
Propagation
- Hemerocallis lilioasphodeluscan be propagated by division in spring or autumn or by sowing seed in a cold frame, again in spring or autumn.
AGM
The RHS Herbaceous Plant Committee awarded Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus an Award of Garden Merit and described it as:
"A spreading rhizomatous perennial to 80cm tall, with narrow leaves and fragrant, lily-shaped light yellow flowers 8-9cm wide."