How to Cut Back Daylilies

Daylilies only have one day of bloom per flower. However, there are many flower heads on a plant so that the actual blooming time for the plant lasts about three weeks. There are nearly 60,000 different varieties of daylilies. Their colors vary from yellow to violet. Daylilies are low maintenance plants that often only need to be cut back and divided to remain beautiful.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You’ll Need

• Gardening fork
• Gardening gloves
• Mulch
• Scissors
• Spade
• Watering can

1. Cut back and divide daylilies after the last seasonal bloom in late summer so that the roots will have time to mature before the onset of winter. It works best to divide the daylilies during the cutting process to ensure proper growth for the next season’s bloom. However, daylilies only need to be divided every three to four years.
2. Clear the area of mulch and leaves before cutting the flowers back. This ensures that there is plenty of work space around the plant. Wear gardening gloves to protect your hands.
3. Cut the tops of all of the daylilies with scissors so that 4 to 6 inches of the base plant remain. Remove any dead foliage from the plant, including leaves. Cut them back to 4 to 6 inches from the ground as well. Place the clippings into a mulch pile.
4. Use a gardening fork to remove a section of the daylilies. Place the fork 6 to 12 inches away from the bottom of the plant. Push the fork down into the ground making sure not to tear the root ball. Continue the process on all sides of the plant.
5. Gently lift the plant and root ball from the ground, and set the daylilies aside.
6. Dig a hole with a spade that measures 6 to 9 inches across and is a little shallower than the height of the root ball.
7. Place the plant into the hole, and fill it with the soil. Gently tap the soil back into place, and add the mulch. Use organic mulch, such as pine straw or bark chips, for the best results. Mulch should be about 1 inch deep to keep weeds from developing and to keep the plant properly hydrated.
8. Fill a watering can. Water the plant area with 1 inch of water weekly to keep the plant well-nourished. Don’t allow water to accumulate on the daylilies, and allow the water to drain thoroughly before watering again.

Tips & Warnings

• Daylilies grow best in full sun.

• Daylilies grow from 1 foot to 3 feet tall. Always keep plant height in mind before planting.