"If there was ever a perfect garden plant, it would have to be the daylily"
Caring for your Daylilies
The Daylily, Hemerocallis, is the Greek word meaning 'beauty for a day'
Daylilies have frequently been called the perfect perennial because they are hardy, easy to grow, drought tolerant, and rarely bothered by insects or diseases. They also come in a full range of colors, shapes, sizes, heights, and bloom times.
Planting
Daylilies grown in containers can be planted from early spring to late summer. Loosen roots slightly and plant at the same depth in the ground as they were in the container. Bare-root daylilies should be planted no more than 1" above the crown. Space daylilies about 18" to 24” apart as they will nearly triple in size each year.
Sun
Daylilies love sun, full sun if possible, but will tolerate lightly shaded conditions. Remember, sun usually dictates the amount of blooms for any plant, and the amount of re-bloom. A general rule is to make sure they get at least 6 hours of direct sun a day. Light yellows, pinks and pastels need full sun to bring out their lovely colorings. Purple and red varieties benefit from partial shade in the hottest part of the day as they do not withstand the sun as well as the lighter colors, causing earlier fading of their dark colors.
Soils
Daylilies will grow in a wide range of soils, from sand to heavy clay, and in a wide range of soil pHs. There are steps you can take to improve your soil, especially if it is predominantly clay or sand. Ask your local nursery for assistance in soil preparation.
Water
Water is essential for good performance. In sufficient quantity, water helps ensure that you get as many blooms and as large blooms as possible. It is most important that daylilies get sufficient water in the spring, when plants are in full growth mode, and in summer when they are blooming. Daylilies can withstand a lot of drought but ultimately, as with any plant, will suffer because of it. 1” a week during the growing season is a good rule of thumb. Slightly more may be needed during the hottest months.
Fertilizers
Daylilies are heavy feeders and like a high nitrogen fertilizer. It is best to use a slow release fertilizer in the early spring when new growth first appears. Use the maximum amounts on the products instructions. On the farm we use a high nitrogen six month slow release fertilizer. This should be sufficient until the next spring.
Colors and styles
Daylilies come in all colors, including yellow, close to white, purple, close to green, pink and more. There are no black, perfect white, or blue Daylilies.
Mulch
Don't pile heavy mulch directly on top of the plants, or against the base of the plant, as they need to breathe. Winter protection is not normally needed.
We hope you enjoy their majestic beauty as much as we do.
