When to Prune Daylilies

Daylilies come in a variety of sizes and colors. By mixing and matching different varieties and colors of daylilies, the home gardener can have a profusion of colorful blossoms that can last almost the entire summer.Daylilies need to be constantly pruned throughout their primary growing and blooming season–summer. While pruning daylilies is extremely simple, this is a job that must be done on a regular basis in order to maintain the beauty of your garden and the health and vibrancy of your plants.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You’ll Need

• Pruning shears
• Gloves

1. Pull all yellowing leaves off by hand whenever you spot them throughout the growing season. Simply grab a yellowing leaf between your fingers and gently tug. The leaf will pull away from the plant with very little effort. Removing yellowing leaves immediately not only improves the look of your garden, it also encourages new growth.
2. Cut off all dead flowers immediately. A daylily bloom lasts for only a day. The next day, the bloom needs to be removed from the plant. Remove dead blooms by cutting the bloom stalk approximately 2 inches above the base of the plant. Stalks may be cut straight across or at an angle. Cutting the dead flowers allows the plant to direct its energy toward the development of new growth rather than the production of seeds.
3. Cutting dead blooms and removing yellowing leaves must be done on an almost daily basis throughout the entire growing season–which, for many species of daylily, can last well into August.
4. Fertilize daylilies at the beginning of the growing season with natural organic fertilizer (manure). Additional fertilizing should not be necessary during the growing season unless your soil is extremely sandy.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant daylilies in full sun to encourage blooming.

• Plant in well-drained areas and water by sprinkler 10 minutes, three times a week

• Do not plant next to well-established shrubs or trees where roots must compete for space.

• Plant in well-aerated soil with natural humus.