How to Plant and Care for Daylilies

You’ll see them blooming all around the city this time of year, often planted in less-than-ideal situations. Their hardiness, adaptability and low maintenance are among the attributes that make daylilies one of the most popular perennials. Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are ideal for borders and edging, they’re tolerant of drought, seemingly unaffected by high temperatures, and able to grow in most soils. You'll find them planted along streets and sidewalks, often under rock mulch, blooming away.  

Daylilies belong to the genus Hemerocallis, a Greek word made up of two parts: Hemera meaning day and Kallos meaning beauty. An appropriate name, since each flower lasts only one day. 

When it comes to planting daylilies in the garden, first choose a site that will receive full sun. Daylilies will tolerate light shade but flower best when exposed to least 6 hours of sunlight a day.  

You can plant daylilies anytime you're transplanting container-grown plants with well-established root systems. Avoid planting during the hottest part of the day. It’s better to plant in the evening or on a cloudy day. 

 

 

Once the site has been selected, it’s important to amend the soil with organic material. Earth Essentials Sheep, Peat and Compost is a good choice. Mix the Sheep, Peat and Compost with the native soil at a 50:50 ratio. Make the planting hole twice as wide and one and a half times as deep as the one-gallon container your daylily came in. Remove the daylily from its pot and place in the planting hole so the crown of the plant is even with the surrounding ground. Next, add enough soil to cover the root system.   

Now mix three and one-half tablespoons of Root Stimulator in one gallon of water and pour into the planting hole. Finish up by filling the rest of the planting hole with amended soil. 

Established daylilies produce an abundance of flowers through much of the season, especially if you are diligent about removing spent blooms soon after flowering will keep your plants looking well-groomed and encourages re-blooming.  

 

   

  

Cultivated in a variety of colors such as  

Mauna Loa 

Stella De Oro

Strawberry Candy