Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Lake of Fire Daylily: Huge Apricot Blooms Against Purple
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Lake of Fire daylily has enormous flowers, about 7 inches across, with broad, ruffled apricot orange petals, an extra-wide orange red eye, a matching orange red picotee and a razor-thin golden margin. The flowers carry a light, sweet scent up close and stand on 24-inch stems just above a fountain of arching leaves, so you get a very big flower on a moderately sized plant.
We live near a Great Lake, not a lake of fire, but in July this daylily makes a convincing case for the name.
Lake of Fire at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hemerocallis 'Lake of Fire' |
| Flowers | About 7 inches, apricot orange with an orange red eye and picotee |
| Fragrance | Light and sweet, noticeable up close |
| Size | Foliage about 14 inches; flower stems to about 24 inches; 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early July, peaking mid-July, lasting several weeks |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade |
| Foliage type | Dormant; dies back in fall |
Warm against cool
Where a lavender-toned daylily blends in, Lake of Fire stands out. Apricot and orange red sit across the color wheel from purple, so the contrast is bold and sunny. Its main flush runs through July, overlapping lavender's peak, and those huge, flat flowers are the opposite of lavender's narrow spikes in shape as well as color.
Daylilies tolerate richer soil than lavender, so place Lake of Fire along the edge of the bed or in a neighboring border where the soil holds a bit more moisture. A few clumps at the corners of a lavender bed frame it nicely. Sketch it in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Sun: six or more hours for the best bloom. It is very heat tolerant.
- Soil: average and well drained; established plants handle heat, clay and dry spells.
- Tidying: each flower lasts one day. Snap off faded blooms and cut finished stems to the base.
- Fall: as a dormant type, it dies back completely. Clean up foliage after a hard frost.
- Winter: fully hardy in Michigan; avoid soggy soil to prevent crown rot.
- Dividing: divide crowded clumps every few years.
Slopes and mass plantings
Daylilies are tough enough for sunny slopes, where their roots help hold the soil. A sweep of Lake of Fire below a lavender planting gives the hillside a warm band of color in July. After a rain, open flowers can spot, but new buds open the next morning.
Planting from bare root
Lake of Fire is offered as a bare root plant. Set the crown about an inch below the soil, spread the roots and water until new leaves appear. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Does it rebloom?
It has one main flush that lasts several weeks, with little rebloom.
Is it safe for cats?
No. All parts of daylilies are toxic to cats. Plant it where cats will not chew it, and keep cut flowers out of reach.
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