The ‘Red Magic’ Daylily is a popular and resilient perennial, celebrated for its striking appearance and adaptability in garden settings. This cultivar offers a vibrant display, making it a favored choice for gardeners seeking both beauty and ease of care.
Distinctive Characteristics
‘Red Magic’ Daylily produces large, five-inch diameter flowers with a rich red hue and a contrasting lemon-yellow throat. The petals often feature “pie crust edges” or are slightly recurved. These showy blooms emerge on scapes, typically reaching a height of 2.5 to 3 feet (30-36 inches) above the foliage.
The plant forms a clump, spreading to 1.5 to 2.5 feet (18-30 inches) wide. While individual flowers open for only one day, they appear in succession, providing continuous mid-season bloom from June through August. Though some daylilies rebloom, ‘Red Magic’ is primarily an early to mid-season bloomer and does not consistently rebloom.
Planting and Site Selection
‘Red Magic’ Daylily thrives in locations receiving full sun to part shade, ideally receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight. Morning sun is particularly beneficial, though some afternoon shade can help preserve flower color in hotter climates. The plant prefers well-drained, fertile loam soils but can adapt to a wide range of soil types.
Good drainage is important, as daylilies do not tolerate soggy conditions. The best times for planting are early spring or early fall, allowing establishment before extreme temperatures. When planting, position the daylily crown approximately one inch below the soil surface, spacing plants 18 to 24 inches apart.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Once established, ‘Red Magic’ Daylily requires moderate watering. Aim for about one inch of water per week, applied directly to the root zone for proper absorption and to prevent fungal issues. While daylilies are somewhat drought-tolerant once mature, consistent moisture promotes healthier foliage and more abundant blooms.
Fertilization enhances performance; a balanced fertilizer in spring encourages vigorous growth and more flowers. Deadheading spent blooms daily improves appearance and promotes additional flower buds. Once all flowers on a scape have finished, cut the scape back to ground level.
Mature clumps benefit from division every three to four years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding. This task is best performed in early spring or fall, especially in colder climates, allowing root establishment before winter. In regions with cold winters, cutting back the foliage in the fall helps maintain a tidy appearance.
Landscape Applications
‘Red Magic’ Daylily is a versatile plant for various garden designs. Its vibrant red blooms make it an excellent choice for creating bold statements in mass plantings or as a striking border plant. It can also serve as effective ground cover on slopes for erosion control, or be grown in containers for patio displays.
The plant’s clump-forming habit and showy flowers are also suitable for accent planting in mixed perennial beds. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, ‘Red Magic’ Daylily attracts pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds, contributing to biodiversity. Its easy-care nature allows it to blend seamlessly into diverse landscape settings.
Managing Common Challenges
‘Red Magic’ Daylily is known for its hardiness and resistance to most pests and diseases. Despite its resilience, gardeners should be aware of potential issues like mites, aphids, or thrips, which can occasionally appear. Daylily rust can also be a concern in some areas, though it is not widespread.
Maintaining good air circulation around plants and practicing garden sanitation, such as removing dead foliage, helps minimize these problems. Daylilies are naturally resistant to rabbits, making them a suitable choice for gardens where these animals are present.