Even in drought-like conditions, daylilies will continue to bloom year after year with little maintenance. Here’s how to grow daylilies in your garden and take care of them, including cleaning up at the end of the growing season and dividing after flowering.
About Daylilies
The daylily is an incredibly low-maintenance (nearly no upkeep), easy-to-grow perennial that can withstand drought, irregular sunlight, and poor soil. It is also virtually disease- and pest-free. Additionally, there are a huge variety of stunning daylilies available. Daylilies can bloom from late spring until the first October frost if you combine early, mid-season, late blossoming kinds, and repeat bloomers.
Hemerocallis, the daylily’s botanical name, derives from the Greek words hemera (“day”) and kallos (“beauty). The name fits because each flower only blooms for a day.
Daylilies, despite their name, are not “genuine lilies, which have fleshy roots. True lilies, which include Asiatic and Oriental lilies, are of the genus Lilium and grow from onion-like bulbs. In the case of daylilies, the flowers develop on stems devoid of leaves, which are referred to as “scapes that protrude above the vegetation. A mature plant can have four to six scapes, each of which bears 12–15 buds, giving the plant a lengthy bloom period.
When a daylily variety is listed with a height, it refers to how long the scape is. Some people grow as tall as 6 feet!
Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site
- Daylilies can thrive in less-than-ideal situations, but they thrive in full sun and a location with healthy, well-drained soil.
- Avoid planting close to trees and bushes that will compete with it for nutrients and moisture.
- Before planting, amend the soil with old manure or compost to enhance the amount of organic matter.
How to Plant Daylilies
- Create a hole that is roomy enough for the roots to grow.
- The plant’s crown, where the roots and leaves converge, needs to be buried approximately an inch deep.
- Soil should be added, then lightly packed down all around the plant.
- Water until the soil is well moistened.
How to Care for Daylilies
However, if you want these flowers to thrive and perform at their best, here’s how to give them a little TLC. Daylilies require little to no maintenance and can even live when left unattended.
- Once a week until they become established, water newly planted daylilies.
- Daylilies can live without water since they are relatively resistant and drought tolerant. They do, however, prefer about an inch of water every week, which typical rainfall will provide in large part. They will reward you with extra blooms if you water them during a dry spell or in a dry climate. To assist prevent weeding and keep the plant moist, add mulch around it.
- As long as the soil is moderately fertile, daylilies don’t need fertilizer. A small amount of all-purpose fertilizer (10-10-10) applied once a year in the early spring as fresh daylily top grow appears, however, can promote higher bloom performance. At the base of each daylily clump, scatter a few handfuls and water if necessary. If you’d like to encourage your daylilies to grow more quickly in the future, you can fertilize them again after they’ve completed blooming.
- Deadheading is not required, but you can encourage more blooming by removing old blooms and preventing the development of seeds. As soon as you notice them fading, simply cut off their blossoms. The majority of daylilies don’t self-sow; you have to divide them to produce new plants (see how below).
- A daylily scape can be completely trimmed back to the ground as soon as the blooms on it have finished blooming, in the fall, or not at all. It will simply turn brown and keep standing if you don’t trim it back.
- However, before new growth begins in the spring, remove the dead leaves from the previous year’s growth in the early spring.
- In the spring, amend the soil surrounding the plants with compost or old manure.
Dividing and Transplanting Daylilies
Daylilies can expand quickly and will probably need to be divided at some point (usually every 3 to 5 years). Dividing plants will not only stop their spread but also give them new life, producing better and more frequent blooms.
How to divide daylilies is as follows:
- Even though soil can be worked at any time, it is recommended to divide daylilies shortly after they have completed blooming. Note: Before winter, the plants require at least 6 weeks to establish themselves again.
- Take out the entire root mass.
- As much soil as you can from the roots. To remove extra soil, soak the roots in a pail of water.
- Identify the plant’s crown. Split it into smaller clumps beginning at the edge (usually 3 to 4 per plant). Each clump need to have a few leaves and sound roots.
- Reduce the length of the leaves by about a third of their original size (5 to 6 inches, generally).
- Replant and give it plenty of water.
There are plenty lovely daylilies to pick from! To have daylilies bloom from late spring into fall, combine early, mid-season, late flowering kinds, and repeat bloomers.
Daylily blossoms can be fragrant and are available in a wide range of hues. While some flowers have wide petals with ruffled edges, others have full, rounded petals. The daylilies known as “spiders” have a form resembling a spider, while “doubles” have twice as many petals and sepals. Some modern varieties even bloom at night and have strong fragrances.
Some of our preferred cultivars are:
- ‘Stella de Oro’ blooms all summer long and has several yellow flowers on each scape.
- Early in the summer, the little purple flowers of “Little Grapette” bloom. Only 12 inches tall, this daylily.
- Flowers on “So Sweet” are yellow. Its leaves stay green throughout the winter.
- ‘Ruby Spider’ boasts broad, scarlet-red blooms with golden throats that can reach a width of up to 9 inches.
- ‘Catherine Woodbury’ produces fragrant lavender-pink flowers in mid- to late summer.
- ‘Indian Giver’ blooms from early to late summer and features enormous, deep purple flowers. It is largely evergreen.
- Early to midsummer brings out the fragrant, double, salmon-pink blooms of “Siloam Double Classic.” This is perfect for containers.
The growing season is when reblooming daylilies can be found:
“Happy Returns,” “Mini Stella,” and “Good Fairy”
The leaves of evergreen daylilies stay green throughout the winter:
“Joan Senior,” “So Sweet,” and “Wind Frills”
Looking for a particular shade? No issue! Here are a few possibilities. :
- “Lullaby Baby,” “Chicago Candy Cane,” and “Halls Pink” are all pink.
- Mountain Violet, Velvet Shadows, and Summer Wine are examples of lavender/purple flowers.
- Red: “Red Mittens,” “Oriental Ruby,” and “Hearts Afire”
- Orange: “By Myself,” “Rocket City,” and “Carrot Top”
- Yellow: “Paradise Prince,” “Lemon Lollypop,” and “Mini Stella”
- Crispin, Ice Carnival, May May, and “So Lovely” are all in white.
Using Daylilies as Cut Flowers
Daylilies, especially the heirloom varieties, can create lovely cut flowers. Individual blooms only last a day, but buds can stay up to a week indoors before they start to open.
- The secret is to cut daylilies when the buds are just beginning to open and some of the blossom color is visible. As the buds at the bottom fade, the buds higher above will open.
- As soon as you have the flowers inside, use a sharp knife to make a diagonal cut that is about an inch long to trim the stem ends.
- Water should be changed every few days.
- New buds will open when the faded blooms are removed every day.
- Daylilies were first domesticated in Asia and are not indigenous to North America. They were brought to Europe by explorers, and then North America by early colonists.
- Common orange-red daylilies (H. fulva), which create eye-catching borders alongside rural roads, are also known as roadside lilies, outhouse lilies, ditch lilies, and tawny daylilies.
- If a daylily blossom opens later or shuts earlier than usual (opens at 7:00 a.m., closes at 7:00 p.m.), look for rain, according to weather lore.
- The daylily’s entire body can be consumed. You can eat the delicate leaf as a spring green. You can consume the buds and blossoms raw or in soups. You can boil and eat the swelling parts of the root. More information is provided below.
The flower buds may become prey for aphids and thrips. To repel them, use insecticidal soap or powerful water sprays.
Daylilies have a lengthy culinary history and are edible. The fragile leaves was used as a spring green, the buds and blossoms were consumed raw and added to soups, and the enlarged portions of the root were cooked and consumed. When cooked in stews, soups, or sauces, all sections have a mild peppery flavor and serve as a thickening factor.
- Try frying some butter and garlic to cook some daylily blooms. They have a flavor that is a cross between asparagus and green peas.
- Daylily buds are deep-fried after being covered in a thin batter. You may add salt to make a wonderful summer treat!
Which month should daylilies be planted?
There aren’t many perennial plants that are simpler to grow than daylilies. Due of its low maintenance requirements and extensive color options, it is a favorite of both novice and seasoned gardeners. Similar to a broad-leaved ornamental grass, daylily leaves give texture to the garden when they are not in bloom.
How to Choose Daylilies
From the thousands of little yellow plants you find in office parks to the tall orange trees “Ditch lilies come in a variety of sizes and hues and are commonly found blooming beside rural roadsides. While some have distinctive colors, some kinds have ruffled petals (including purple). For season-long flowers, plant a blend of early-, mid-, and late-season kinds “Reblooming cultivars will maximize the floral power in your garden.
Where to Plant Daylilies
Daylilies are planted in large numbers along the sides of interstates for a reason—they are hardy plants! Plant daylilies in locations with six or more hours of direct sunlight each day and in soil that isn’t often wet for the best results. When planted in large groups, daylilies put on a spectacular display. They are perfect for providing color around home foundations in front of shrub plantings or to complete a perennial garden.
For optimal results, plant daylilies in late spring or early fall. But if you come across a plant during a summer sale that you simply must have, bring it home right now and plant it. Simply watch it carefully and water it frequently throughout the first two weeks.
How to Prepare the Soil for Planting Daylilies
Daylilies can grow in a range of soil types, but they will grow best in slightly damp, well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. Utilize Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Flowers to prepare fresh planting sites. The top 6 to 8 inches of native soil should be mixed with 3 inches of garden soil. Additionally, you can enhance the soil in each planting hole by mixing 50:50 Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Flowers with the current soil. Be sure to read the section below on “How to Feed Daylilies” if you want to know how to combine the power of outstanding soil with the proper plant food for beautiful results.
There are two ways to buy and sell daylilies. They occasionally arrive as bare-root plants, often known as “fans,” which are clumps of roots, leaves, and a developing stem. But the majority of daylilies are cultivated in containers. Prepare a hole that is twice as large and precisely as deep as the plant’s root system before planting either variety. If using a plant from a container, place it in the hole and then fill up the area around the roots. Make a mound in the planting hole with part of the removed soil mixture if you are planting a bare-root daylily. Place roots on top of the mound and surround them with vegetation. Make sure the plant’s crown, which is where the roots and stems meet the leaves, is just above the soil line when it is planted and not buried. Plants should be well-watered before mulch is applied to keep the soil evenly moist.
How to Water Daylilies
For the first few weeks following planting, you’ll need to water the plants every other day or so. For the remainder of the initial growth season, water once or twice per week (depending on whether or not it has rained). If your region is not experiencing drought, you shouldn’t need to water daylilies during the second growing season and beyond (4 or more weeks without measurable rainfall). Daylilies can withstand drought once they are established.
How to Feed Daylilies
Use Miracle-Gro to start feeding daylilies a month after planting. Thanks in part to natural ingredients that help nourish plants above and below the soil, Shake ‘n Feed Rose & Bloom Plant Food will help them continue to grow big and strong. Shake the food onto the ground evenly. To begin the feeding, work the fertilizer into the top 1 to 3 inches of the soil. Make sure to heed the label’s instructions regarding how much and how frequently to apply.
How to Prevent Pest Problems with Daylilies
Although daylilies often don’t cause too many issues, deer do enjoy nibbling on the blooms. Spray plants with Tomcat Deer Repellent on a regular basis (as directed on the label) if deer are a concern. They dislike the taste and smell produced by the formula made with essential oils.
How to Deadhead Daylilies
Daylily blooms do indeed only bloom for one day. The following morning, remove any dead blooms from plants to keep them clean. Cut a bloom stalk down to the ground once all of its blossoms have opened. Shear back foliage if it starts to look ragged in the middle of the summer.
How to Divide Daylilies
Plants that create clumps include daylilies. As the plants get older, clumps may get congested and produce fewer blooms. Digging up the entire plant, after flowering in the early fall, is how you divide plants. You can either use a pointed spade to cut the plant into pieces or shake the soil off and gently pry apart the roots. (The first method gives you more divisions, but the second method is quicker.) Replant immediately.
Getting ready to start daylily gardening? To learn more about a product, to buy it online, or to locate a retailer near you, click on any of the product links above.
Can you cultivate daylilies in Colorado?
One of the simplest perennial flowers to cultivate in the Colorado Springs region is the daylily.
Numerous varieties are available. Large bunches of arched, sword-like leaves are how they develop.
The trumpet-shaped flowers bloom from July through August. Depending on the cultivar, the flowers have a range in size and color. Flowers typically only survive a day, making them transient. Throughout the growing season, certain cultivars have been cultivated to bloom again.
Moderate wetness is ideal for daylilies’ growth. They will be smaller and flower less frequently if the environment is too dry.
Daylilies can be planted at any time of the year.
Why are daylilies grown? Low Maintenance – They grow tolerantly and without much effort, even in the most difficult circumstances.
Great Value: When it comes to initial perennial plant investments, daylilies are the finest choice.
Daylilies can be found in old, deserted cellar holes of New England homesteads. Daylilies are still flourishing there 150 years after they were first planted. In order to ensure speedy establishment and the best bloom, we will supply huge divisions. The plants will be examined by the state, labeled, and prepared for planting in your garden.
Will my daylilies blossom if I move them? Even after being moved early in the spring, a clump of daylilies will continue to bloom that year virtually as if nothing had happened.
When should I sow? Daylilies can be transplanted at any time of the growing season. Many individuals decide to transplant their plants in the spring or early fall, giving them plenty of time to settle in before the following flowering season. Daylilies can endure being divided in the sweltering summertime.
What should I do if I can’t immediately plant my bare root plants? If you just received them, open the packaging right away and let them air out. Plants should be kept cool and moist, but not soggy. They can be kept out of the ground for up to two weeks, but the season’s bloom can be lost.
I haven’t drawn out a permanent garden plan. Is it possible to temporarily plant daylilies before moving them? Yes, you can relocate daylilies at any point during the growing season. For a season or two, think about putting them near the perimeter of your food garden. They will immediately grow greater cluster sizes thanks to the additional fertilizer and water. The clump will be ready to function if you move it intact to a less ideal location later.
How much sun do daylilies require? The amount of bloom is directly related to the amount of sunlight. In other words, daylilies will thrive in any light condition, but the more sun, the more blossoms. Think about how much of the day they would receive direct sunshine when deciding where to put them. The strongest sun occurs in the midday and early afternoon, but morning sun is typically sufficient for a good performance.
Which type of soil is ideal for growing daylilies? Daylilies can be grown in almost any soil, however their performance is higher in richer soil. A pH that is balanced and the soil is friable and humus-rich are ideal. When making improvements, use compost, and fertilize occasionally.
How deep should they be? Plant 6–8 plants “Depending on the root mass, deep. Once the hole is ready, set the daylily upright in it without trying to cram it inside. Loosley fill the hole nearly to the top with earth, covering the roots. Without obscuring the green of the crown, tamp down the earth around the roots. Leave about a half-inch-deep depression, or water reservoir, all around the plant “deep.
Should daylilies be watered? Water is the best fertilizer for daylilies, according to Dr. Darrow. Even if compost is the best soil amendment for nutrients, you should think about providing daylilies regular waterings to encourage their growth. Extra water results in more blooms and a longer bloom season, barring really rainy conditions.