Chicago Apache Daylily
Hemerocallis ‘Chicago Apache’Chicago Apache Daylily, Hemerocallis ‘Chicago Apache’, is a clump-forming perennial grown for its large scarlet-red flowers. Arching, strap-like leaves build a dense, deep green clump about 18–24 inches wide, and sturdy flower stalks rise above the foliage to 24–30 inches tall. Each bloom measures about 5 inches across, with slightly ruffled petals and a yellow-green throat that brightens the center of the red. It was registered in 1981.
Flowering begins in early summer and continues into August. Each flower lasts a single day, but every plant sends up several stalks with many buds that open in series, so a clump stays in color for weeks. The red holds well in strong sun, and the flowers draw butterflies and hummingbirds. It suits sunny borders, group plantings along walks and banks, and cottage or meadow-style gardens, and the flowers can be cut for arrangements. The foliage dies back in winter.
Chicago Apache Daylily blooms most heavily in full sun and also performs in partial sun; in deeper shade flowering becomes sparse. It adapts to clay, loam and sandy soils that drain well and grows best where the ground has been enriched with organic matter. Once established it handles dry spells, though water during spring and early summer helps the buds develop. Its salt tolerance makes it useful near roads and driveways that receive winter de-icing salt.
Care Instructions:
Planting: Plant in spring or early fall in a sunny spot, covering the tuberous roots with about 1 inch of soil.
Soil: Prefers fertile, organically rich soil that drains well; it tolerates heavy clay and poorer soils as long as water does not stand around the crown.
Watering: Water deeply and regularly through the first growing season, then during dry spells in spring and early summer while flower stalks and buds form.
Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring as new growth appears and feed again during the bloom season, following product directions.
Pruning: Remove spent flowers to keep plants tidy, cut flower stalks to the base once blooming ends, and clear away dead foliage in late fall or early spring.
Spacing: Space plants approximately 18–24 inches apart; at the closer spacing the clumps will meet and form a continuous band of foliage.
Maintenance: Divide crowded clumps in early spring or fall every several years, watch for aphids, thrips and leaf spot, and protect plants where deer browse, since deer often eat daylily buds.
Gardeners choose Chicago Apache Daylily for clear, saturated red color through the heart of summer from a plant that needs little routine care. It performs best in full sun with steady moisture while buds form, and clumps grow fuller each year. The red flowers combine well with ornamental grasses, Shasta daisies, coneflowers and salvias, and its tolerance of salt, clay and dry spells suits it to roadside strips and other difficult sunny sites.
Landscape Solutions:
- Salt tolerance makes it useful along driveways, sidewalks and roadsides that receive winter de-icing salt.
- Dense clumps of arching foliage cover sunny banks and slopes that are hard to mow or maintain.
- Planted in groups, it fills a sunny border with red color from early summer into August.
- Its tolerance of heavy clay and poorer soils makes it a practical choice where soil improvement is limited.
- Its flowers bring butterflies and hummingbirds to pollinator and cottage gardens.
