Day Lily

Day Lily (Hemerocallis) - The Day Lilies, though not numbering many distinct species, are varied both in habit and flower, and are very useful in the mixed border and in groups by the water-side. Few plants surpass a strong, well-flowered clump of Hemerocallis fulva, as we have seen it, mixed with a group of male Fern near a brook. The leaves of this Day Lily were overhanging the banks of the stream, intermingled with the Fern fronds, while the flower-heads, tall and straight, were towering upwards. If the ground is well broken up and some lasting manure supplied at planting time, they may be left undisturbed for years. The forms of H. disticha, both single and double, are also useful for clumps by water, or intermixed with other robust or bold-foliaged plants; indeed, there seems no reason why all the Day Lilies could not be treated in this picturesque way, the trouble entailed being small, and that chiefly at planting time only. For cutting, H. flava, minor, and Dumortieri are useful, the flowers lasting a few days and the buds opening well in water. The fragrance of these flowers is delightful; they are readily increased by division, and grow with such rapidity that in the course of a few years they may be increased to almost any extent.

The following are the species as they are now recognised, with the principal varieties:—

Day Lily Pictures

Hemerocallis fulva (L.) L. orange daylily

Related Flowers

Hemerocallis Aurantiaca Major

Hemerocallis Aurantiaca Major - This is the name given by Mr Baker, of Kew, to a new and handsome kind from Japan, and of which a colored plate was given in The Garden, 23rd November 1895. It is one of the finest new hardy plants of recent years, and reminds one of H. fulva (syn. H. disticha). The new kind has bold leafage, a glaucous tinge overlying the deep green body color; the flowers, of a rich apricot color, open out widely, and are of great substance.

Yellow Day Lily

Yellow Day Lily (Hemerocallis Flava) - Few plants can be grown with so little trouble in the border, and give such a valuable return as this one—the flowers large and in such quantities, emitting such an agreeable fragrance, as to earn the name of yellow Tuberose. The length of time the flowers last enhances its value as a border plant. It is hardy, and though not so robust in habit as H. fulva, it increases rapidly, and where the soil is good, might be naturalised. On banks the beautiful light green curving leaves hang gracefully, surmounted by bunches of large yellow heads of flower in June and July. Europe and N. Asia. H. Thunbergi and japonica are forms of this species.

Hemerocallis Fulva

Hemerocallis Fulva - (Copper-colored Day Lily) is a much larger plant than H. flava, and more suitable for extensive planting in semi-wild or rough parts of the garden. It is variable under cultivation, and the numerous forms now grown, many without names, are all worthy of attention. H. disticha is a well-known garden variety of this species, notable for the fan-like form of its growths. The flower-stem is forked near the summit, and carries two or three heads of flowers, six to eight blooms on each, of a brown-orange color.

Hemerocallis Middendorfiana

Hemerocallis Middendorfiana - From Amurland; in appearance resembling H. Dumortieri; but the leaves are broader, the flowers about the same size, closer, and paler in color, and with a distinct cylindrical tube half an inch or so long. It is of easy cultivation.

Hemerocallis Minor

Hemerocallis Minor - Known in many gardens under the name of H. graminea, from its grass-like foliage, was formerly classed by the older botanists as a variety of H. flava, though now considered distinct. It is the smallest though not the least showy, and, like flava, sweetly scented, the flowers lasting two or three days. It makes a handsome plant for a rocky bank, and even when flowers are absent the pretty grass-like leaves are welcome. It flowers during June and July. It is also known under the names graminifolia and pumila. Siberia. Aureole, Citrina, Baroni, and Sovereign are modern hybrid sorts of much value.

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