7 Hemerocallis for a Naturalist Garden

Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus

Botanical species: Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus, found in our territory, is a tall daylily with small fragrant yellow flowers. The plant, approximately 80 cm in height with a modest spread of 40 cm, is covered from May to July with small lemon-yellow flowers in fine, elongated trumpets. They emit a pronounced orange blossom fragrance. It is a repeat flowering species: it blooms again in September in cool soil.

Its flower, with simple petals, is beautifully complemented by airy, wild perennials such as Verbena bonariensis, Digitalis laevigata ‘Alba’, and grasses like Deschampsia ‘Goldtau’. Sow alongside seeds of Cosmos ‘Purity’, a beautiful, fine, and delicate annual.

Verbena bonariensis, Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus, Digitalis laevigata ‘Alba’, Deschampsia ‘Goldtau’, Cosmos ‘Purity’

Hemerocallis citrina

Another botanical species, Hemerocallis citrina stands out for its large flowers, approximately 15 cm in size. On a tall plant reaching 90 cm with a spread of 60 cm, sculptural lemon-yellow trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in July-August and again in September, opening in a star shape. They have a lily of the valley fragrance.
Pair it, for example, with an Achillea ‘Feuerland’, a Miscanthus ‘Krater’, a Verbascum ‘Costwold Queen’, and a Malva sylvestris. Sow seeds of the beautiful Nigella ‘Midnight Blue’.

Nigella ‘Midnight Blue’, Hemerocallis citrina, Achillea ‘Feuerland’, Miscanthus ‘Krater’, Malva sylvestris, Verbascum ‘Costwold Queen’

Hemerocallis 'Corky'

Of yellow colour, Hemerocallis ‘Corky’, with a compact habit, is adorned with small, fine and delicate flowers. The robust plant reaches 60 cm in height and 40 cm in width at ripeness, blooming from June to August. It is distinguished by the small size of its tubular, trumpet-shaped flowers in golden yellow, along with brown-red sepals and stems.

Plant it alongside the delicate Geranium ‘Mrs Kendall’, Linaria ‘Peachy’, Nepeta nervosa, and Calamagrostis brachytricha.

Calamagrostis brachytricha, Geranium ‘Mrs Kendall’, Hemerocallis ‘Corky’, Nepeta nervosa, Linaria ‘Peachy’

Hemerocallis fulva

The iconic Tawny Daylily, Hemerocallis fulva, is yet another botanical species, very vigorous and of considerable height, as the plant can reach 1.20 m in height and 80 cm in spread. The small flowers, about 8 cm, bloom early in May and June. Let’s pause to admire the beauty of its flower: the petals are a brown-orange, striated with russet, adorned with a cream median and a red halo, with a yellow heart. The trumpet-shaped, elongated sepals are well recurved: the overall effect is striking!

Try it alongside an Stipa gigantea, a Kniphofia ‘Flamenco’, a Crocosmia ‘Lucifier’, and Monarda fistulosa menthifolia.

Stipa gigantea, Kniphofia ‘Flamenco’, Monarda fistulosa menthifolia, Hemerocallis fulva, Crocosmia ‘Lucifier’

Hemerocallis 'American Revolution'

The Hemerocallis ‘American Revolution’ is undoubtedly sophisticated with its burgundy velvet dress and black highlights but its classic star shape and smooth petals offer the freedom to adapt to a variety of settings and styles. The medium-sized plant, 60 cm tall with a 40 cm spread, is adorned in June-July and September with flowers measuring 14 cm in diameter. The rigid, velvety petals are a very dark burgundy colour, with black, garnet, or mahogany highlights depending on the light. A yellow and green throat provides a bright contrast.

Plant the Hemerocallis ‘American Revolution’ with a Miscanthus ‘Cabaret’, a Perovskia ‘Blue Spires’, an Allium atropurpureum, and an Achillea ‘Saucy Seduction’.

Miscanthus ‘Cabaret’, Achillea ‘Saucy Seduction’, Hemerocallis ‘American Revolution’, Perovskia ‘Blue Spires’, Allium atropurpureum

Daylily 'Sammy Russell'

Sammy Russell is a Daylily with elongated, reddish-orange petals that are slightly undulating. Its beautiful, intense flower features a purple eye and a bright yellow centre. The plant reaches a height of 60 cm and a width of 40 cm. The flowers measure approximately 10 cm. It blooms in mid-summer: July and August.

Plant it alongside an Achillea ‘Terracotta’, an Amsonia orientalis, a Pennisetum ‘Windy Simonette’, an Inula helenium, an Echinops ritro, and a Leucanthemum ‘Gruppenstolz’.

Achillea ‘Terracotta’, Amsonia orientalis, Pennisetum ‘Windy Simonette’, Daylily ‘Sammy Russell’, Inula helenium, Echinops ritro, Leucanthemum ‘Gruppenstolz’

Hemerocallis middendorffii

Terminons par une dernière espèce botanique : the Hemerocallis middendorffii, forms a plant 60 cm tall, suckering. It requires space as once established, it can colonise the area. It benefits from being planted in partial shade in cool woodlands or along riverbanks. In May and June, its small flowers bloom into fragrant stars of a warm orange-yellow. Repeat flowering, it blooms again in September.

Its simplicity pairs well with ferns. Accompany it with a Polystichum ‘Proliferum Wollastonii‘, an Iris pseudacorus, a Matteuccia pensylvanica, and a Filipendula purpurea ‘Alba’.

Hemerocallis middendorffii, Polystichum ‘Proliferum Wollastonii’, Iris pseudacorus, Matteuccia pensylvanica, Filipendula purpurea ‘Alba’