How to Garden Day Lilies

Daylilies (Hemerocalis spp.) are perennial flowering plants that are commonly grown simply because they require little care. Although each flower lasts only a day, daylilies are prolific bloomers so there will always be color on the plant during the blooming season. Plant your daylilies in masses, borders or just where you need a pop of color. Daylily hardiness depends upon variety, but they are generally hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture Zones 3 through 10.

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

• Peat moss
• Pruning shears
• Rake
• Mulch

1. Grow your daylily in full sun. Although the plant can grow in partial shade, it does not flower as well without six hours of sun per day.

2. Keep the soil slightly moist at all times. Keep an eye on it during particularly hot days and water if the soil begins to dry.

3. Work 1 inch of peat moss into the top inch of soil around the daylily to help acidify the soil.

4. Perform spring maintenance by removing dead and dying foliage. Pull all weeds from within a 2-foot radius of the daylily. Rake up all debris and last season’s mulch. Apply a 2-inch layer of compost to the soil and spread it around the daylily.

5. Add a 3-inch layer of mulch to the soil in the summer. Keep the mulch at least 5 inches from the base of the plant and spread it in a 1-foot radius around the plant.

6. Cut off seed pods as they form. This prompts the daylily to produce more flowers the following season.

7. Check the daylily for signs of aphids. These small green insects gather in clusters, usually on the undersides of leaves and on buds. Use an insecticidal soap, according to label directions.