D. Trinklein
Published: June 13, 2012
Few garden flowers provide as much joy while requiring so little maintenance as the daylily. The daylily is about as close as one can get to the “no maintenance” plant that most gardeners seek. It is frequently said that “daylilies thrive on neglect” in fact. It is no surprise that daylilies are the most widely grown perennial flowering plant in America when you consider how simple they are to maintain and the wide variety of flower colors, varieties, and sizes available. It’s a terrific time to enjoy this vibrant, carefree plant because June is when the majority of daylily varieties are at their peak.
Hemerocallis is the genus that includes daylilies. The latter refers to the fact that the spectacular blossoms of this plant rarely live more than 24 hours and is derived from the Greek words hemera (day) and kalos (beautiful). Hemerocallis has 18 different species that are recognized by taxonomic authorities. The daylily does not grow from a bulb like other members of the Liliaceae (lily) family do. Instead, it creates fleshy roots that act as a storehouse for food. A clump-forming plant called a daylily has strap-like leaves that vary in size according on the variety. As is typical for most monocots, its flowers are flawless and are arranged in groups of three.
China, Japan, and Korea are said to be the natural home of the daylily. Daylily was mentioned in writing for the first time in 2697 B.C., and ancient Chinese people used it as a food source and for its alleged medicinal benefits. The latter involved employing daylilies to treat a variety of issues, from easing pain to boosting the mood. In Chinese literature, the words for “forget-worry” and “daylily” are actually interchangeable.
Later, daylilies were transported to Asia Minor, where the Greek herbalist Dioscorides mentioned a species of Hemerocallis that is being cultivated today in his writings from 70 A.D. In the 16th century, daylily was listed in various European herbals under a number of (now-obscure) names, including Lilium non-bulbosum, and its supposed medical benefits persisted over time. Swedish naturalist Linnaeus gave the daylily its current botanical name in 1753.
Numerous daylily species were present in American gardens by the late 1800s. The efforts of geneticists and plant breeder Dr. Arlow B. Stout, however, is what put the daylily on the path to the current level of popularity. Dr. Stout, who is regarded as the creator of the modern daylily, started a breeding and development program in 1924 after receiving plants and seeds from China. Hemerocallis genetics became better understood as a result of his work, which also led to the creation of hybrid daylily cultivars. Daylily hybridization has been greatly influenced by Dr. Stout’s work, which has helped both professional and amateur plant breeders. A staggering 72,092 daylily cultivars were registered by the American Hemerocallis Society in 2011 as a result of their efforts.
Although it has been asserted that daylilies flourish under neglect, the truth is that with the right care, plants and flowers will grow stronger and seem more lovely. A daylily should be placed where it will receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day because it is a full-sun plant. However, a little late-afternoon shade does contribute to the color and lifespan of flowers. A lot of foliage but few flowers are produced in gloomy areas.
Daylily can withstand a broad range of soil textures, although it favors a medium-heavy garden loam. Before planting, soil of any texture should be enhanced by adding substantial amounts of organic matter in the form of compost, peat moss, or well-rotted manure. To grow and function at their best, daylilies need well-drained soil, but they may also tolerate extremes of moisture or dryness. Even though the same conditions are tolerable in the summer, plants growing in the latter are easily harmed by harsh winters.
Daylilies need nutrients just like any other plant, however supplemental fertilizer should only be used sparingly because too much nitrogen can be harmful. In extremely rich soils, daylilies need little to no additional fertilizer, if any at all. An application of a full fertilizer, such as 5-10-5, in the spring when new growth begins is typically sufficient for average garden loams. It may be necessary to apply fertilizer again in soils with severely low fertility levels or soils that leach easily. Avoid sprinkling fertilizer on the plant’s leaves when applying it. When the fertilizer is wetted, this may cause a deposit of fertilizer at the base of the leaf, which could cause tissue burn. The pH of the soil should be kept at or near 6.5 for the best nutrient availability.
Daylilies are reasonably tolerant to drought, as was already said. But when there is enough water, both the quantity and size of the flowers grow. Water is particularly crucial in the spring when plants are developing their scapes and setting buds, as well as later when they are in bloom. The best method of watering is thorough (deep) irrigation that reaches eight to ten inches into the soil. Open flowers that are watered from above during the day may spot and wilt. So, the optimum time to water if applied overhead is first thing in the morning.
Numerous pests and illnesses can attack daylilies, but most only cause slight harm. The three most prevalent insect pests are aphids, thrips, and spider mites. Diseases include daylily rust, leaf streak, and crown and root rot can be troublesome. Pest issues can be avoided with proper sanitation, which includes clearing away garden waste at the conclusion of the growing season.
Mulches can be used to manage weeds while also preserving soil moisture. The enhancement of soil structure is a bonus if organic mulches are used.
For the best garden performance, daylilies, like the majority of clump-forming perennials, require regular division. Cultivar and growth circumstances have a significant impact on the frequency of division. It is advisable to divide cultivars like “Stella de Oro” that are noted for their propensity to rebloom regularly. This aids in promoting new development all throughout the growing season, which is the main reason why a daylily blooms again. Daylilies can be divided (or planted) whenever the ground is not frozen, but the best time is from late August to September.
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.
When to Plant Daylilies
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.
How to Plant Daylilies
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.
Planting Instructions
Daylilies need 4-6 hours of direct sunlight every day, thus they should be planted in full sun or mild shade. Even though daylilies require full sun, there are occasionally blossoms under the cover of large trees. The daylily blossoms will always face away from any shadow and upward toward the sky. Avoid high dry locations above ledges where the soil is shallow and low wet spots where water collects during rainy spells.
Any time the ground can be worked, whether it’s in the spring, summer, or fall, daylilies can be planted with great success. To avoid winter frost heaving, mulch should be applied to daylilies planted in the fall. We advise you to plant your daylilies as soon as you get them. The roots should be placed in water for an hour before planting, but, if they will be stored for several days.
Approximately the size of the pot, dig the hole. Remove the daylily from the pot, untangle the roots, and set it into the hole with the surrounding dirt tightly packed.
Until you are ready to plant, keep in a cool area. Roots should be soaked in water for an hour prior to planting if kept for several days. Create a hole and place a cone of earth inside. Cone-shaped roots should be spread out, and the crown should be slightly below ground. One inch of earth should be pressed down tightly around the plant’s crown. Give newly planted daylilies plenty of water.
The best soil is loose, loamy soil. Clay, gravel, and sand quality is very low. Compost, decaying leaves or wood chips, old manure, or almost any other organic substance can enhance poor soil.
If the daylily will be divided and replanted in a border of mixed perennial flowers in three to five years, leave a circle of 16 to 18 inches in diameter. It needs a 24–30 inch spacing if you plan to leave the daylily clump in place for 10–15 years. A border of daylily flowers follows the same rules. Daylily plants should be placed in a triangle configuration with each plant 24 inches apart from its neighbors in a landscape setting, such as a bank that will be covered in the flowers. 30 daylily plants will consequently be needed for a bank that is 100 square feet. (Add 0.304 to the square footage.) Plant the daylily seeds 12 to 18 inches apart in a straight line as an edging along a walkway.
Mulch between one and four inches thick will help keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from growing among the daylily plants. While grass clippings, leaves, hay, wood chips, and other organic materials are appropriate, their slow breakdown draws nitrogen from the soil. Particularly with recently cut wood chips, you might want to add some fertilizer. Daylilies planted in the fall should have a thick layer of mulch applied to the area the first year to keep the earth from freezing and heaving them out of the ground.
Plant nutrients are rarely insufficient in organic compost soil. Add any slow-releasing, composted organic matter, such as horse, sheep, or cow manure, or your own compost, in the spring or the fall to sustain good daylily growth.