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BulbsConservatory Greenhouse

Hymenocallis × macrostephana

day lily

A bulbous perennial with bright green strap-shaped leaves and erect stems to 75cm in height, bearing up to 10 fragrant white flowers, 15cm across, with a large, daffodil-like cup and narrow, curling petals

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

West–facing or East–facing or South–facing or North–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1C

Botanical details

Family: Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Tufted
Potentially harmful: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Hymenocallis are bulbous perennials, sometimes evergreen, with strap-shaped leaves and umbels of fragrant, daffodil-like flowers with a cup and narrow, spreading tepals
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Plant bulbs with the neck and shoulder just above the surface, when dormant, in moderately fertile soil. Under glass grow in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added leaf mould and grit in full light. Water freely when in growth and apply a balanced liquid, dilute fertiliser every fortnight. Keep dry when dormant

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 19 to 24°C as soon as ripe or remove offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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