About Hemerocallis middendorffii Trautv. & C.A.Mey.
Hemerocallis middendorffii Trautv. & C.A.Mey. is an herbaceous perennial plant. It produces linear, arching leaves that grow up to 60 cm (24 in) long. Its flower scapes reach 20–90 cm (8–35 in) in height. Each terminal flower head holds 5–6 large flowers, which range in color from golden yellow to clear orange. This species blooms for 2–3 weeks in July, and often reblooms in September. Four varieties are currently recognized. H. middendorffii var. middendorffii grows up to 90 cm (35 in) tall, has orange, odorless flowers with elliptic to spathulate tepals, and bears ovate bracts measuring 2–2.5 cm (3⁄4–1 in) long. H. middendorffii var. esculenta (Koidz.) Ohwi is distributed in Japan. H. middendorffii var. exaltata (Stout) M.Hotta is also distributed in Japan. H. middendorffii var. longibracteata Xiong reaches 20–35 cm (8–14 in) in height, has yellow, fragrant flowers with lanceolate tepals, produces ovate-lanceolate bracts 3–6 cm (1+1⁄4–2+1⁄4 in) long, and is endemic to China. For cultivation, this species is easily grown on moist soil in sunny sites, but can tolerate poor soil and partial shade. It can be propagated both by division and by seed. Plants grown from seed take 2–3 years to produce their first flowers. It prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil, and will not thrive in very acidic or very alkaline soils. It is generally free of pests and diseases, and is hardy to USDA zone 4.
