Hemerocallis fulva
Common name: Orange daylily · Tawny daylily · Ditch lily · Tiger daylily
Hemerocallis fulva is a herbaceous perennial in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to Asia from the Caucasus through China, Korea, and Japan. It produces arching clumps of strap-like leaves and tall scapes bearing tawny-orange, lily-like flowers, each lasting a single day. Long cultivated as an ornamental, it has escaped gardens and naturalized widely across Europe and North America, often seen along roadsides and old homesteads.
Care summary
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Water
Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Soil
Adaptable; prefers moist, well-drained loam
Hardiness
Zones 3–9
Mature height
About 90–180 cm (3–6 ft)
Pet safe
No — toxic to cats
Difficulty
Easy
Propagation
Propagate by division in early spring or after flowering. Dig up the clump, pull or cut it into sections each with several fans of leaves and roots, and replant at the same depth, watering well. Division every few years also keeps clumps vigorous.
Fun facts
- Each flower opens for only one day, which is the origin of the name "daylily."
- It spreads aggressively by rhizomes, which is why it is nicknamed the "ditch lily" along roadsides.
- The flower buds and young tubers are edible and have long been used in Chinese cuisine, sold dried as "golden needles."
- The common wild form is a sterile triploid that spreads almost entirely by root division rather than seed.