If you want bold summer color without a demanding maintenance routine, the Kwanso Daylily is an excellent perennial to consider. Also known as Hemerocallis fulva 'Kwanso', this distinctive orange daylily produces full, ruffled, double-layered flowers that stand out in borders, mass plantings, and naturalized areas.
Kwanso Daylily is a perennial flowering plant valued for its vivid orange double blooms, adaptable growing habit, and relatively simple care. For the best performance, give it adequate sunlight, well-drained soil, consistent moisture while establishing, and enough room to spread
What Is a Kwanso Daylily?
The Kwanso daylily is a naturally occurring, double-flowered cultivar of the traditional tawny daylily (Hemerocallis fulva). Unlike standard daylilies that feature six distinct petals forming a single trumpet, Kwanso develops lush, ruffled blooms packed with extra petals and petal-like stamens (petaloids).
Pixies Gardens describes the flowers as rich orange with ruffled petals, with flowering occurring in mid-summer. The plant can also attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Kwanso Daylily at a Glance
Feature |
Specification |
Botanical Name |
Hemerocallis fulva 'Kwanso' |
Common Names |
Kwanso Daylily, Double Orange Daylily |
Plant Type |
Herbaceous perennial |
Hardiness Zones |
USDA Zones 3–9 |
Bloom Color |
Orange with burgundy blush |
Flower Form |
Fully double, ruffled (~4 inches wide) |
Sun Exposure |
Full sun to partial shade |
Water Needs |
Moderate; drought-tolerant once established |
Soil Requirements |
Adaptable; tolerates a wide range of soil types |
Mature Size |
30–48 inches tall; 18–24 inches wide |
Landscape Uses |
Borders, mass plantings, naturalizing, and pollinator-friendly gardens |
How to Plant Kwanso Daylily
Planting a Kwanso Daylily correctly sets the foundation for vigorous root development and years of recurring blooms.
1. Choose the Right Location
Pick a garden site that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. While Kwanso tolerates partial afternoon shade, especially in hotter southern climates, full sun yields the highest number of flower scapes and sturdier stems. Ensure the site has good natural drainage so water does not pool around the crown.
2. Prepare the Soil
Loosen the native soil in a 12-to-18-inch circle to a depth of roughly 10–12 inches. If your soil is heavy clay or extremely sandy, incorporate a few shovels of well-aged compost or organic matter to improve aeration and moisture retention.
3. Dig the Planting Hole
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root system and roughly the same depth as the container. Build a slight mound of loose soil at the bottom of the hole.
4. Position the Crown
Remove the plant from its nursery container and gently tease apart any tightly wound outer roots. Place the plant on top of the soil mound so that the crown (the point where the foliage meets the root system) sits no deeper than 1 inch below the surrounding soil line.
5. Backfill and Water
Fill the hole halfway with native soil, firming it gently to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly to settle the soil, finish backfilling to grade level, and water a second time.
6. Apply Organic Mulch
Spread a 2-to-3-inch layer of shredded bark, pine straw, or leaf mulch around the base of the plant. Keep the mulch 1–2 inches away from the direct foliage crown to maintain airflow
Kwanso Daylily Watering Guide
There is no single watering schedule that works for every garden. Newly planted daylilies need more consistent moisture while their roots establish. After establishment, Kwanso is relatively drought-tolerant, according to the Pixies Gardens product information.
Water when the soil is becoming dry rather than automatically watering on a fixed calendar. During prolonged hot or dry weather, monitor plants more closely.
Watch for:
-
Underwatering: Wilting foliage or unusually dry soil.
-
Excess moisture: Persistently wet soil and poor plant vigor.
-
Healthy conditions: Soil that drains well while providing reasonable moisture around the roots.
Avoid keeping the planting area constantly saturated.
When Does Kwanso Daylily Bloom?
Kwanso Daylily bloom time is generally mid-summer. Pixies Gardens lists the bloom period as mid-summer, while the Chicago Botanic Garden describes Kwanso as a mid-season bloomer.
Each individual daylily flower lasts for only one day, but that does not mean the entire plant finishes flowering in one day. Multiple buds develop along the flower stalks, opening successively over the flowering period.
Bloom timing can vary with climate, weather, sunlight, plant maturity, and growing conditions.
How to Encourage More Kwanso Daylily Blooms
If your Kwanso Daylily is producing plenty of leaves but not enough flowers, review its basic growing conditions first.
-
Give it sufficient sunlight.
-
Maintain reasonable soil moisture during establishment and dry periods.
-
Avoid chronically waterlogged soil.
-
Provide balanced nutrition when soil conditions call for it.
-
Remove spent flowers to keep the planting looking tidy.
-
Keep surrounding vegetation from shading the plant excessively.
-
Avoid unnecessary heavy pruning during active growth.
Good flowering usually starts with the right location rather than excessive fertilizer or maintenance.
Kwanso Daylily Care & Maintenance
Watering
Monitor soil moisture during extended dry periods, particularly around newly planted specimens.
Deadheading
Remove faded flowers and spent flower stalks when practical. This improves the appearance of the planting and keeps attention on fresh blooms.
Seasonal Cleanup
Remove declining or dead foliage as appropriate. Avoid treating the plant like a woody shrub that requires routine hard pruning.
Mulching
A moderate layer of organic mulch can help conserve soil moisture and reduce weed competition. Keep mulch from piling directly against the crown.
Weed Management
Keep competing weeds away from the plant, particularly while young plants are becoming established.
Kwanso Daylily Propagation
Division is the easiest and most practical way to propagate an established Kwanso Daylily. Dividing mature clumps allows you to create new plants while helping manage overcrowded growth.
To divide an established clump:
-
Choose an appropriate division period for your climate.
-
Dig around the clump carefully.
-
Lift the root mass from the soil.
-
Separate the clump into healthy sections.
-
Replant the divisions promptly.
-
Water thoroughly and keep them reasonably moist while they establish.
Kwanso Daylily Landscaping Ideas
Kwanso's strong orange flowers make it particularly useful when you want a noticeable burst of summer color.
Consider using it for:
-
Garden borders: Plant behind shorter perennials for layered height.
-
Mass planting: Groups create a stronger visual impact than isolated plants.
-
Naturalized areas: Its spreading habit can work well where broader coverage is desired.
-
Cottage-style gardens: Combine it with complementary flowering perennials.
-
Mixed perennial beds: Use orange flowers as a warm focal color.
-
Walkway plantings: Place it where the flowers can be appreciated without blocking paths.
-
Foundation planting: Combine it with shrubs and lower-growing perennials for seasonal color
Where to Buy Kwanso Daylily Plants
For healthy, nursery-grown specimens ready to establish quickly in your landscape, order directly through Pixies Gardens.
You can purchase the authentic Hemerocallis fulva 'Kwanso' Double Orange Daylily from Pixies Gardens, where each plant is carefully selected, packed, and delivered to your doorstep ready for immediate planting. Explore our extensive online collection of perennials, landscape greenery, and flowering shrubs to complete your outdoor design projects this season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Kwanso Daylily?
A Kwanso Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva 'Kwanso') is a hardy perennial daylily variety known for its ruffled, double-layered orange flowers with burgundy highlights, blooming on tall scapes in mid-to-late summer.
How much sunlight does a Kwanso Daylily need?
Kwanso daylilies thrive best in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flower production. They will grow in partial shade, but flower numbers will decrease.
How often should you water a Kwanso Daylily?
Water newly planted daylilies about once a week (1 inch of water) during their first growing season. Established plants only require supplemental irrigation during severe droughts or hot, dry periods.
How tall does a Kwanso Daylily get?
The arching green foliage typically reaches 24 to 30 inches in height, while the upright flower stalks extend up to 30 to 36 inches tall at peak bloom.
Do Kwanso Daylilies grow from bulbs?
No. Daylilies are fibrous-rooted perennials that grow from fleshy underground rhizomes and storage tubers, not true botanical bulbs.
When is the best time to divide a Kwanso Daylily?
The ideal time to divide Kwanso daylilies is in early spring as new green shoots appear or in early autumn after the blooming period has finished.
How do I encourage more flowers on my Kwanso Daylily?
Ensure the plant receives at least 6 hours of direct sun, avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, deadhead spent blooms, and divide overgrown root clumps every 4 to 5 years.
