Does the Day Lily Prairie Wildfire Like Sun or Shade?

Day Lily Facts

• Native to China, Korea and Japan, day lilies grow along mountain trails and on hillsides. American day lilies are descended from about a dozen of these species, notably tawny day lily (Hemerocallis fulva), roadside lily (Hemerocallis fulva “Europa”), “Kwanso” (Hemerocallis fulva “Kwanso”) and lemon lily (Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus). These became the stock for early 20th century botanical experiments that, by the end of the century, would produce thousands of hybrids in dozens of shapes and sizes in every color but blue. “Prairie Wildfire” has a 5-inch, deep red bloom with a light green throat that blooms midseason. The plant is a tetraploid, meaning it has four sets of chromosomes instead of the usual two. Like other tetraploids, it has larger, deeper-hued blooms than many day lilies. The midseason bloomer was registered with the American Hemerocallis Society by Robert Ellison, an Illinois breeder, in 1994.

Where to Plant

• Tawny day lilies escape from old gardens to grow along roadways and rights of way throughout the U.S. These plants grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. Although some of their descendants are more or less hardy, “Prairie Wildfire” grows in USDA zone 3 through 9. Day lilies need slightly acidic -- 6.0 to 6.5 pH is ideal -- well-drained soil with a healthy dose of well-rotted manure. Dark colored blooms typically fade in full sun, but full sun is recommended for “Prairie Wildfire."

Adjustments

• In USDA zones 8 or 9 or areas with a Mediterranean climate, full sun, all day can dry out moisture-loving plants, even those adapted to full sun. Because “Prairie Wildfire” day lilies are deep red, shelter from hot afternoon sun is advisable -- six hours or more of sun constitutes full sun for day lilies. You can also plant “Prairie Wildfire” in partial shade, meaning four to six hours of sun, but plants in partial shade may not flower as enthusiastically as those in full sun.

Other Considerations

• “Prairie Wildfire” is unusual for a dark red tetraploid in its tolerance of full sun, but like other day lilies, it wants to be set in a large space of well-cultivated, fertile soil and sit with its crown at the soil line. Water is especially important, particularly for plants in full sun. As a hybrid, “Prairie Wildfire” benefits from an annual spring feeding with a slow-release fertilizer, but its most important requirement is water -- at least 1 inch per week and more in periods of drought. During drought in full sun, the plant can use a deep watering every three to four days.