Wildflower/Perennial
Daylily
Hemerocallis hybrid · Asphodelaceae (formerly Liliaceae/Hemerocallidaceae)
Also called: Daylily
Daylily (Hemerocallis hybrid) is a moderate-water wildflower/perennial well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It thrives in full sun in cooler seasons, with a moderate growth rate.
Daylily at a glance
- Water use
- Moderate (established)
- Sun
- Full sun in cooler seasons; in Tucson, afternoon shade or filtered light is recommended to protect blooms and foliage from intense summer sun and heat.
- Mature size
- About 1-3 ft tall and 1.5-2 ft wide depending on cultivar
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Bloom
- Wide range: yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, cream, and bicolors, Spring into summer (April-June), with reblooming varieties flowering sporadically into fall.
- Cold hardiness
- Cold-hardy and heat-tolerant; foliage may go semi-dormant in winter but roots survive easily in Tucson (9a-9b). Tolerates frost.
- Soil
- Prefers well-drained soil enriched with organic matter; tolerant of a range of soils but best in amended beds with mulch.
- Native range
- Hybrids derived from species native to Asia (China, Korea, Japan)
- Best used as
- Perennial borders, Mass planting, Color beds, Containers, Filtered-shade gardens
- Wildlife
- Flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds; relatively deer-resistant.
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic to dogs and humans, but HIGHLY TOXIC to cats (can cause acute kidney failure). Flag clearly for cat owners.
How to grow Daylily in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Keep evenly moist during active growth and bloom (roughly every 3-5 days in summer heat); reduce in winter dormancy. Mulch to conserve moisture and cool roots.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Moderate feeder. Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring and again after the main bloom flush; an organic compost top-dressing helps.
Pruning & care
Remove spent flower stalks (scapes) after bloom and trim yellowing/dead foliage. Divide clumps every 3-4 years in fall to maintain vigor.
Notes
Adaptable and tough but needs more water and some summer shade to look good in the low desert; plant in fall or early spring. Each flower lasts only one day, but a healthy clump produces many buds for weeks of bloom.
Sources: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; Pima County Master Gardeners; ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List