The classic daylily has often been
referred to as the lazy gardeners flower because very few plants put on such a show with
little to no effort. There are over 40,000 cultivars in existence with countless new
varieties coming onto the market each year. Flowers come in almost every color with the
exception of blue and have wide range of flowering times. The daylily has long been
favored for their durability and ease of care and we honestly believe that anyone can grow
these lovely perennials.
Daylily Care:
As we have stated this tough perennial is very easy to grow and will adapt to almost
any garden situation, however to get the best results there are some things to keep in
mind:
- Full sun will produce the maximum amount of flowers
- Red & Purple varieties will hold color longer if protected from hot afternoon
sun
- Soil should be rich, loose and well drained
- Good drainage is the only critical soil requirement
- Cut plants back in late Fall and top dress with compost
- Feed in early Spring with a top dressing of Manure followed by two more applications of
bone and blood meals. Tip - just before the buds begin to open
irrigate deeply with a compost tea or Fish Emulsion, the extra boost of Nitrogen will
improve flower size and bloom color.
- Water deeply during hot dry spells
- Divide clumps every 2 - 3 years to keep plants healthy
- Hardy in zones 3 - 9
Daylily terms to know:
Diploid & Tetraploid: This is scientific names given to plants based on their
chromosome make up and is not of interest to most gardeners... here is what you need to
know about the two:
Tetraploid:
Flowers tend to be larger
Colors tend to be brighter or more intense
Scapes are stronger
Heavier growth
Breeding possibilities are greater
Diploid:
Pinks daylilies are still mostly Diploids
Double and Spider type blooms are usually Diploids
Diploids are easier to cross
There are a wider selection of Diploids
> Click here for a graphic of Daylily bloom terms
For great detailed information on Daylilies visit the American Hemerocallis Society website.
