How to Grow Daylilies
If there's a "sure bet" perennial, it must be the daylily. They thrive from Minnesota to Florida (zones 3 to 9), tolerate a wide
variety of soil conditions, are not troubled by diseases or pests, and bloom faithfully for years with virtually no attention. The
daylily's botanical name, Hemerocallis, means "beauty for a day", and indeed most daylily flowers open in the morning and die
by nightfall. However, each flower stem (also called a scape) typically has at least a dozen flower buds, so the plant stays in
bloom for several weeks.
Unlike most perennials, daylilies are well-suited to many different uses in the garden and landscape. The shorter, more compact
varieties work well planted directly into perennial borders, where their blooms provide a welcome mid-summer boost. In groups
of 3 or 5, daylilies are ideal for landscape plantings, especially when paired with ornamental grasses and small shrubs. Daylilies
are also the perfect plant for mass plantings along a fence or walkway, where they'll form a dense, weed-proof display.
.Planting Care
Daylilies flower best when planted in full sun (6 hours/day), on moist, yet well-drained soil. In hot climates, dark-colored
cultivars should receive some afternoon shade to help them retain their flower color. When planted in the correct location,
daylilies will flower for years with little care. They do not require fertilization other than a yearly addition of compost.
If buying daylilies by mail, plant them within a few days of receiving them. In the South, plant in spring or fall while
temperatures are still cool. In the North, daylilies should be planted in spring so they have plenty of time to get established before
winter. However, daylilies are such tough plants, that in the North, most can be planted anytime from spring through fall.
Amend the soil with compost before planting. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart and plant so the crown is about 1 inch below the
soil surface. Water well and mulch with bark or straw to conserve moisture and prevent weeds from growing. Although resilient
once established, young transplants should be kept free from weeds and well watered the first year.
Daylilies have few pests. However, a new daylily disease--a type of rust--has been spreading throughout the county, attacking
many plants. To control this disease, keep the area around daylilies open and airy, remove diseased foliage, and water plants
when rainfall is insufficient.
Dividing Daylilies
One of the few routine maintenance chores needed when growing daylilies is dividing them. Depending on their growth, your
daylily clump will usually become crowded after four to five years and flowering will diminish. In most areas, late summer is the
best time to divide daylilies. In the North, early spring is an alternate option, especially if the weather typically turns cold quickly
in fall.
Dig up individual clumps and put them on a tarp. Use a sharp knife or spade to separate healthy young plants (fans) with strong
root systems. Cut back the foliage and replant immediately in compost-amended soil or plant in containers for holding. You'll
have many extra plants from each clump to give away to friends and neighbors. Discard any small or diseased plants.
Winter Care
In northern areas, newly planted daylilies can be mulched in late fall. This is important for young plants which otherwise may be
heaved out of the ground the first winter. Dead foliage can be removed in spring, unless it was diseased. In that case it is best to
remove it in fall.
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