Vigorous spreading day lily with bright orange flowers in midsummer. Long-naturalised in roadside ditches and old farm sites across temperate North America and Europe — hence the common name.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 3–9 | −40 °C to −1.1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H7 | down to −20 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 3–8 | −34 °C to −1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 2–6 | −10 °C to 15 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
Growing notes
- Flowers in June and early July — peak summer solstice marker across the temperate Northern Hemisphere
- Flowers and unopened buds are edible (cooked, used in East Asian cuisine) — but identification certainty is critical, never eat without expert confirmation, other lily-like plants are toxic
- Forms expanding clumps by rhizome — vigorous, can crowd less competitive plants
- In some areas listed as a mild invasive — check local lists before planting
Pet caution: Orange ditch lily is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.
Categories
Related plants
Cross-check Orange ditch lily against your zones