Strawberry Candy daylily

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; at least 6 hours of sun gives the best flowering. Light afternoon shade helps in very hot climates.

Water

Water regularly during establishment and during dry spells while buds and flowers are developing. Established plants tolerate some drought but flower less well.

Soil

Most well-drained garden soils, preferably fertile and moisture-retentive; tolerates clay if it does not remain waterlogged.

Height

2-2.5 ft (0.6-0.75 m), including flower stems

Spread

1.5-2 ft (0.45-0.6 m)

Flowers

Early to midsummer, with possible repeat flowering later in summer; strawberry-pink flowers about 4.25 in (11 cm) across, with a rose-red eye and golden ruffled edges.

Foliage

Arching, strap-shaped green leaves. Semi-evergreen in mild climates but usually dies back in cold winters.

Growth

Moderate; forms a substantial flowering clump over several growing seasons.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Drought tolerant
• Cold hardy
• Heat tolerant
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1 ft (0.3 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.4 ft (0.43 m)

3. After 2 years

   1.8 ft (0.55 m)

4. After 3 years

   2.2 ft (0.68 m)

   full size

About 3 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Growth rate

Moderate

• Plant with the crown about 1 in (2.5 cm) below the soil surface, allowing room for the clump to widen.
• Water deeply during dry weather, especially while flower stems and buds are forming.
• Apply compost or a light dressing of balanced fertiliser in spring; avoid heavy nitrogen feeding.
• Mulch around the clump to conserve moisture, keeping mulch away from the crown.
• Divide crowded clumps every 3-5 years if flowering declines.

Pruning. Remove spent flowers for tidiness and cut each flower stem to the base when its buds have finished. Remove dead leaves in autumn or late winter, but leave healthy green foliage in place.

Late winter

Remove dead foliage and check that the crown is not sitting in wet soil.

Spring

Plant or divide clumps, then water thoroughly.

Spring

Apply compost or a light feed and renew the mulch.

Early summer

Water during dry spells as buds develop; check buds for aphids and thrips.

Summer

Remove faded flowers and cut down finished flower stems; continue watering if encouraging repeat bloom.

Early autumn

Divide overcrowded plants where there is time for roots to establish before freezing weather.

• Plant in small groups through the front or middle of a sunny mixed border for repeated patches of pink.
• Combine with blue catmint or perennial salvia to contrast with the warm pink flowers.
• Use beside paths or patios where the patterned flowers can be seen closely.
• Mix with fine-textured ornamental grasses to contrast with the broad, arching leaves.

Garden styles it suits: Cottage garden, English country, Traditional, Romantic rose garden, Low-maintenance and Pastel border.

Plant it with: Catmint, Perennial salvia, Hardy geranium, Purple coneflower, Switchgrass and Lady's mantle.

Wildlife: Flowers may attract bees and butterflies, though this is not a specialist wildlife plant. Deer may eat buds and flowers.

• Aphids and thrips can damage buds and distort flowers; inspect developing buds, wash off aphids and remove badly damaged flowers.
• Slugs and snails chew young foliage; remove hiding places, hand-pick or use an approved iron-phosphate bait according to its label.
• Daylily rust causes orange powdery pustules, especially in warm, humid regions; remove affected foliage, improve airflow and avoid moving infected plants.
• Poor flowering commonly follows excessive shade, drought or crowding; provide more sun, water during bud formation and divide congested clumps.

Extremely toxic to cats: all parts, including flowers and pollen, can cause potentially fatal kidney failure if swallowed; vase water is also hazardous. Seek immediate veterinary care after any suspected exposure. Daylilies are not known to be toxic to dogs or horses. They are not generally classed as poisonous to people, but this ornamental hybrid is not recommended for eating; mistaken identification and individual reactions are risks.

• Orange daylily (Hemerocallis fulva)

  Usually taller, with plain orange flowers and a more vigorously spreading habit; it lacks Strawberry Candy's pink petals, rose-red eye and golden ruffled edges.

• True lilies (Lilium spp.)

  True lilies have leafy upright stems arising from bulbs and flowers that usually last several days. Daylilies have basal fans of strap-shaped leaves and mostly leafless flower stems.

Hemerocallis comes from Greek words meaning 'day' and 'beauty', referring to each flower lasting only one day.

Propagation. Divide established clumps in spring or early autumn, keeping healthy roots and several leaf fans on each division. Seedlings will not reliably retain the cultivar's flower colour or form.

Accepted botanical name

Hemerocallis

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.