Hemerocallis middendorffii var. esculenta (23/06/2013, Kew Garden, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Early summer and again in late summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 90cm
Eventual Spread: 50cm
Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae
Hemerocallis middendorffii var. esculenta is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its mid green leaves are strap shaped, arching and up to 80cm long and 16mm broad. Its slightly fragrant yellow/ orange flowers are trumpet shaped, up to 7.5cm across, appear on naked stems above the leaves in groups. Its fruit is a capsule which is up to 25mm long and 15mm broad. Its roots are slightly fleshy.
The species Hemerocallis middendorffii, commonly known as the Daylily, is native to east Russia, northwest China, Japan and Korea. In its native habitat it grows in forest margins, stream sides and grasslands.
The etymological root of the binomial name Hemerocallis is derived from the Greek amera meaning ‘day’ and kellos meaning ‘beauty’. Middendorffii is named after Alexander Theodor von Middendorff (1815 – 1894), a Baltic German Zoologist.
The landscape architect may find Hemerocallis middendorffii var. esculenta useful as a low growing ground cover and works well when planted en mass. This plant will tolerate atmospheric pollution and is not attractive deer to rabbits. It is drought tolerant once established.
Ecologically, Hemerocallis middendorffii var. esculenta flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
Hemerocallis middendorffii var. esculenta Flower (23/06/2013, Kew Garden, London)
Hemerocallis middendorffii var. esculenta prefers moist, deep, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes strongly alkali soils and will tolerate poor soils.
Hemerocallis middendorffii var. esculenta requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in late autumn or spring.