GROWING DAYLILIES - AN EASY-CARE, HIGH-IMPACT PERENNIAL

Zones:

3-9, for most.

Height & spread:

Foliage clumps range from less than 1 foot to 3 feet tall. Flower scapes can be less than 1 foot to 6 feet tall, though most are 3 to 4 feet.

Exposure:

Full sun. They may tolerate some light shade; however, flowering is best in full sun. (See more full-sun perennials.)

When do daylilies bloom?

• Daylilies will begin blooming mid-spring, but you'll see the most blooms in June. Depending on the type, some will continue blooming until fall.
• Individual blooms only last for a day, but multiple flowers on each stem bloom in succession, extending the overall bloom period for a single plant to about a month.

Daylily flower colors & characteristics:

• Hybrids come in a rainbow of colors, including pale cream, shades of yellow, orange, red, pink and purple to almost black. The only colors not represented are true white and shades of blue.
• Daylily flowers have 3 petals and 3 narrower petal-like sepals, and come in a variety of forms including single, double, spider, and star-shaped.
• Plants are classified by flower size (miniature, small, and large) and range from 3 to 15 inches across.
• Flowers bloom on leafless stems (scapes) that rise above long, narrow foliage. Mature plants can have several scapes, each with multiple flowers.
• There are evergreen types and types that go dormant over winter. The evergreens are typically better for warm or cooler climates, and those that go dormant are better for colder climates.

Are daylilies poisonous?

Daylilies are toxic to cats, but not to dogs or humans. However, they may cause stomach upset to dogs if ingested. They look similar to true lilies which are extremely toxic to both dogs and cats. See more Common Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats.

Are daylilies rabbit and deer resistant?

Daylilies are usually safe from rabbits. However, they are a favorite of deer, so set up deterrents if needed.

Watering:

They will perform best with consistent watering—about 1 inch per day. It is important to water plants regularly in spring when scapes and buds are forming and also while blooming. Some varieties can tolerate drought better than others.

Soil:

Daylilies prefer moist, average to rich, well-drained soil. They will tolerate poor soil, but won’t tolerate poor drainage.

Amendments & fertilizer:

Daylilies benefit from a balanced fertilizer and appreciate some extra nitrogen in the spring. Fertilizing once or twice during the growing season (spring) and once in fall will encourage strong growth, larger bloom size, and winter hardiness.

Deadheading:

Remove spent blooms regularly to keep them looking their best. To avoid seed pods from forming, make sure you are getting the entire flower and not just the petals. Deadheading is critical for subsequent flowering in reblooming types. Some say that because of the number of blooms they produce and the fact that they only last one day, deadheading can be a lot of work. (Note: Be careful with the darker purple varieties, they can stain your hands or clothes.)

Foliage maintenance:

Remove yellowed or dead foliage from the base by grasping firmly and giving a quick tug. After all blooming is done, plants can be sheared to the level of new growth or 6 to 8 inches from the ground and stems cut back to the base. Keep them watered well and you’ll get decent regrowth in 2 to 4 weeks.

For reblooming types, simply removing dead or yellowed leaves is preferred over shearing because new flower stalks may be cut off. In mild climates, plants may remain semi-evergreen, and cutting back should be done in early spring before flower stalks appear.

Dividing:

Sparse flowering can be a sign of overcrowding. Dig up and divide clumps every 3 to 4 years, or every 2 years for reblooming types. Carefully dig them up in early spring before blooming or late summer after blooming. Cut or pull the crowns apart carefully, being sure to include 2 or 3 fans of leaves and a portion of the root system with each clump. Replant these divisions 12 to 18 inches apart and at the same depth they were growing, and water them in well.

Pests & diseases:

Although seldom bothered by pests, aphids, spider mites or thrips may attack flower buds or foliage. Slugs and snails can also be attracted to tender foliage. If daylily rust (a fungus that damages foliage) is a problem, you may want to consult a local nursery for rust-resistant types to grow in your area.