Hemerocallis 'Buttered Popcorn'
buttered popcorn daylily
Garden hybrid cultivar; parent genus Hemerocallis native to East Asia
Overview
Hemerocallis 'Buttered Popcorn' is a tall clumping semi-evergreen perennial in the asphodel family (Asphodelaceae spp.) reaching 30–36 inches (75–90 cm) tall with a spread of 24–30 inches (60–75 cm). This daylily cultivar produces large ruffled trumpet-shaped flowers 5.5–6 inches (14–15 cm) across in rich butter-yellow tones — a warm deep yellow rather than the pale lemon yellow that some daylily cultivars carry. The petal margins carry distinct ruffling that runs across the face of the flower and gives the bloom its finished textural character. Each individual flower lasts a single day as the daylily pattern dictates, with well-branched flower scapes producing extended bloom from June through August across a 6–8-week display window. Foliage consists of arching strap-shaped medium green leaves that form a broad fountain-like basal clump at the base of the plant. Growth rate runs moderate to fast. Hardy to zone 3.
Native Range
Hemerocallis spp. 'Buttered Popcorn' is a garden hybrid developed through daylily breeding programs. The parent genus Hemerocallis spp. is native to East Asia, with wild populations across China, Korea, and Japan that have supplied the genetic material for the commercial daylily trade.Suggested Uses
Grown in borders and mass plantings at 24–30 inch (60–75 cm) spacing. The rich butter-yellow flower color carries warm-toned summer color into border plantings across the July and August peak-color weeks. The taller mature height at 30–36 inches (75–90 cm) suits mid-border and back-of-border positions better than the shorter daylily cultivars fill. The plant functions in container culture in 5 gallon (19 L) or larger pots. Combining with burgundy-flowered and purple-flowered daylily cultivars builds color contrast across the daylily planting as a whole. Deep shade and waterlogged soils are not suitable given the cultural preferences.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2'6" - 3'
Width/Spread2' - 2'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Ruffled trumpet-shaped flowers 5.5–6 inches (14–15 cm) across, rich butter-yellow in color, open from June through August across a 6–8-week display window. Each individual flower lasts one day. Well-branched flower scapes extend the visible display as new buds open each day to replace the flowers that closed the day before.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Rich butter-yellow; ruffled trumpet-shaped 5.5-6 inches acrossFoliage Description
Medium green arching strap-shapedGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun in average to moist well-drained soil at pH 6.0–7.0, tolerating loam, clay, and sand. Hardy to zone 3. Cultural requirements match the other daylily cultivars across the commercial trade. Full sun positions produce peak flowering — shade positions reduce both the flower count and the saturation of the butter-yellow color. Dividing crowded clumps every 3–5 years maintains flowering vigor across the long lifespan of the plant.Pruning
Spent flower scapes are removed at the base of the plant after all buds on each scape have opened and closed. Foliage is cut back to the ground in late fall after hard frost or in early spring before new growth emerges. Crowded clumps are divided every 3–5 years in spring or fall to maintain flowering vigor.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fallearly spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons