Daylily

Hemerocallis Pink Damask

• Position: full sun
• Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: July and August
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Masses of splendid, salmon pink, lily-like flowers with a pale midrib, last just one day but appear continuously in July and August. This semi-evergreen daylily soon forms large clumps of strap-like leaves, valuable for suppressing weeds at the front of the border. A popular old variety, it looks great planted in drifts in a sunny mixed or herbaceous border and contrast suprisingly well with the spiky blue flowerheads of globe thistle and sea holly. Like most hemerocallis, it is robust and easy to grow, provided you follow the tips below.

• Garden care: The Greek term 'hemerocallis' means 'beautiful for a day', and daylilies need regular deadheading to prolong flowering and prevent their unsightly deadheads from dominating the scene. Each stem carries several flowers, so snap off each flower as it fades. When the stem has finished flowering, cut it down to the ground. After the plant has finished flowering altogether, pull out the dead leaves. When the foliage is looking tatty, cut it down to the ground and fresh new growth will appear. Lift and divide every two years in spring to keep the rhizomes vigorous and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant. Water frequently from spring until the buds appear.

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