Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus - Daylily

The Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus, also known as Yellow Daylily, is an interesting botanical species for the fragrance of its small lemon yellow flowers, with floral, sweet, and subtly fruity notes, which evoke the scent of orange blossoms or lilies of the valley. This semi-wild plant in our territory produces small flowers that succeed each other along flexible and graceful stems, dominating a beautiful tuft of supple and elegant foliage. It blooms in May-June and again in September. It is an endearing and sturdy perennial, ideal in a cottage garden where it will easily naturalise in not too dry soil.

The Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus (syn. flava) belongs to the Hemerocallidaceae family. It is a perennial plant with spreading rhizomes, native to Central Europe, the Caucasus, and Siberia, first described in 1762. The plant spreads slowly and forms beautiful clumps of narrow and supple leaves, reaching a height of 80 cm (32in) when flowering and a minimum width of 60 cm (24in). The flowering takes place at the end of spring or early summer, during a fairly short period, and sometimes reoccurs in September in moist soil. The small, narrow flowers, pale yellow with brownish backs, measure about 8-9 cm (3-4in) in diameter. They are gathered in a fairly loose cluster of 3 to 9 flowers along a leafless slender stem. The petals in this species are lanceolate, pointed, smooth, without undulations. The flowers open in the evening and last for 1 or 2 days. Its grass-like leaves are 50-60 cm (20-24in) long and 1.2 cm (1in) wide and vibrant green. This plant lives for many years and easily naturalises in the garden.

This daylily will be highlighted in a semi-shaded and backlit exposure. It can be planted in the background of a colourful countryside massif, behind blue blooms (Geranium vivace Brookside, perennial flax, campanulas, wild chicory), alongside Hemerocallis fulva 'Flore Pleno', with its double flowers of flaming orange. It can also be grown in a large pot on the terrace to enjoy its sweet fragrance.