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Home > Plant profiles > Daylilies
Daylilies
 Botanical name: Hemerocallis
Common names: Daylily
History: We may think of the daylily as a modern or new flower since it is not until the early 1930s that Arlow Burdette Stout initiated a new era of research on Hemerocallis. This brought about a natural break in the history of the daylily and resulted in many scientists and amateurs becoming involved in the hybridizing of daylilies.
The use of the daylily by ancient Chinese people began before the development of written language. The earliest records report the plants use for food. The flower buds were palatable, digestible, and nutritious. As a medicine the root and crown were found to be a good pain reliever. The utilization of the daylily for food and medicine became a part of the tradition of the Chinese people.
In one section of China, the primary effect of the daylily on the people was emotional - an antidote for grief. The bright flower is cheerful and uplifting to the spirit. One book of medicine compiled in the Sung Dynasty (about A.D. 1059) says, “The root of the daylily is cooling and nonpoisonous. It is diuretic and is advised for curing incontinence and dysuria. The juice extracted from fresh roots after pounding is administered internally to patients suffering from cirrhosis and jaundice. Boiled young shoots are also advised.“ In this same treatise a special prescription is given for high fever and hemorrhage.
From China the daylily was brought to Asia Minor, where as early as A.D. 70 the Greek herbalist Dioscorides referred to a form now called the Lemon or Custard Daylily (H. Flava). This lovely, fragrant daylily is still grown and prized in gardens today for its long-lasting light yellow blooms in early spring.
It was in 1753 that the daylily received its accepted generic name, when the great Swedish naturalist, Linnaeus, published his Species Planatarum. At that time he also assigned the Lemon and Tawny Daylilies to the same species.
Many species of the daylily have been found in China and Japan. They are rarely found in today’s gardens, since the new hybrids have far surpassed them in beauty, but they were certainly valuable, for they are the ancestors of our beautiful hybrids. Further explorations into Asia for new clones could prove valuable to breeders today.
It was through the efforts of hybridizers in the United States and England that great improvements in the daylilies have taken place during the last 75 years. Originally the only colors were yellow, orange, and fulvous red, and today we have colors ranging from near-whites, pastels, yellows, oranges, pinks, vivid reds, crimson, purple, nearly true-blue and fabulous blends. The daylily from the wild is now the Cinderella in all its glorious colors and forms.
Origin: Europe and eastern Asia
Name: Hemerocallis was derived from the Greek word meaning “beauty” and “day”.
Comments: Daylilies grow in a wide selection of environments and will adapt well in all Australian climates. They are commonly known for the distinctive funnel shaped flowers that appear from spring through summer. Even though the flowers may only last 1 day, a succession of buds will open over long periods. Most are evergreen with some varieties that will totally die back during the winter. They tolerate different types of soil conditions, however they perform best if fed twice per year (autumn and spring with a fish and seaweed fertilizer) and kept mulched and watered during hot dry spells.
Tips: Snails and slugs love them. Keep tidy by cutting off old dead flower stems and leaves. Can be used in a variety of gardens, from a cottage style to a more formal
Japanese garden. They are tough and last for many years. They are easy to divide and transplant.
Contacts:
www.daylily.com.au
The Australian Gardening Encyclopedia – Better Homes and Gardens.
Family: Likiaceae
Plant type: Evergreen, semi-evergreen and herbaceous perennials.
Size (HxW):
Dwarf: 40cm x 40cm
Normal: 60-90cm x 60-90cm
Depth and spacing: Dwarf: 40cm apart. Normal: 90cm apart.
Watering: Water well during hot dry periods (flowering may be reduced if unable to water often).
Frost tolerance: Can cause dormancy, but will re-shoot in Spring.
Flowering time: Spring-autumn.
Soil: Well-drained fertile soil best suits this plant however will tolerate a wide variety of soils. Prepare with animal manure prior to planting and mulch around base.
Climate: Cool to sub-tropical.
Aspect: Full sun will produce more flowers, however they can be grown in semi-shade.
Fertilizer: A well-balanced fertilizer in autumn and spring.
Comments: Upon arrival they may appear dry with few roots, however they can withstand being out of the ground for long periods. It is best to plant them upon arrival, and if the garden bed isn’t ready, plant into a sandy loam or potting mix and keep watered.
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