How to Garden Daylily Perennials

Daylilies are sturdy, low-maintenance plants that will provide a succession of short-lived but stunning blooms. Although each daylily bloom lasts for only one day, masses of new flowers will be waiting in the wings to provide bright color from midsummer until autumn. Daylily is available in a rainbow of colors, including shades of dark or light red, orange, yellow, purple and pink. Shapes of daylily blooms may be single, double, ruffled, star-shaped, triangular or rounded.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You’ll Need

• Spade or tiller
• Shovel
• Compost or rotted animal manure
• Organic mulch
• Garden fork

1. Purchased containerized daylilies at a local garden center. Alternatively, transplant a division from a mature existing plant.
2. Plant daylilies where the plants will be exposed to at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. A location where the plants will receive morning sunlight, but will be in the shade during hot afternoons is best. Spade or till the soil to a depth of 18 to 20 inches, then use a shovel to dig in 3 to 4 inches of compost or rotted animal manure.
3. Dig a hole deep and wide enough to accommodate the roots of the daylily. Place the plant in the hole and fill the hole with the same soil. The crown of the plant, which is the spot where the roots meet the stem, should be about 1/2 inch above the surface of the surrounding soil. Pat the soil firmly around the roots to eliminate any air pockets. Allow about 18 inches between each daylily plant.
4. Water the daylily deeply immediately after planting, then keep the soil consistently moist until you see new growth. Thereafter, daylilies need no supplemental irrigation, except during periods of hot, dry weather, when the plants will benefit from a deep soaking once every week.
5. Spread 2 to 3 inches of mulch around daylilies to maintain an even soil temperature, conserve moisture and deter weed growth. Use an organic mulch such as shredded bark, leaves or pine needles.
6. Divide daylilies in late winter or early spring if the plants outgrow their boundaries, or if the center of the plant becomes woody and nonproductive. Lift the entire plant from the ground with a garden fork. If the clump is large, dig the clump in small portions. Discard the woody center of the plant, then divide the clumps into small clumps. Plant the divisions as soon as possible.