DAYLILY 101
WHAT IS A DAYLILY?
A daylily is a lily that bears multiple colored flowers, each flower lasting only one day. The scientific name for daylily is Hemerocallis. Hemerocallis is derived from two Greek words meaning "beauty"; and "day". This is in reference, of course, to the fact that each flower lasts only blooms for a day. Don't be discouraged
though; each daylily flower stalk produces many buds so flowers are produced over a bloom period of several weeks. Many cultivars are reblooming which means that the bloom period for those varieties are extended.
WHAT IS A FAN?
An individual unit of daylily is called a fan. It includes the roots, crown and leaves only (no flowers or buds). Daylilies are commonly sold by the fan - which simply means number of individual plant within the flower you purchased. At East View Farm we sell during season so you can pick the exact flower you love. We sell by the clump, we dig while you are here and you take home clump of the daylilies ready to be planted! Most of these will have flowers and buds left to bloom in your garden.
DAYLILY FUN FACTS
Daylilies are NOT bulbs! Don't divide daylilies too soon! You don't need to divide daylilies. The only time you should is if you notice them not blooming as well as they used to bloom. For some varieties, this could be after 3-5 years. Other varieties we have can go 10 years or more without dividing. Daylilies are drought tolerant once established, but they still (like all of us!) appreciate a drink of water when they can get it.
THE PERFECT PERENNIAL
Daylilies have been called the perfect perennial because they are available in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. They can grow in all U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones, but do best in zones 4 through 9. They require little care, tolerate drought, and aren’t fussy about soil pH as long as soil is well drained. They suffer few pest and disease problems and have a long blooming season. When planting, daylilies must go into the ground at least 6 weeks before the ground freezes and should be in a location where they get at least six hours of sun daily.
GROWING REQUIREMENTS FOR DAYLILY PLANTS
For the best quality flowers, Daylily plants should be grown in full sun, but they will tolerate light shade, especially in hot climates. Daylilies grow best in slightly acidic (pH 6 to 6.5), well drained soil, that is rich in compost and other organic matter. Daylilies will tolerate a certain amount of drought, but they perform best when they receive a thorough, deep watering of an inch of water or more each week. More frequent watering may be necessary if they are planted in sandy soils. A top dressing of manure, compost, or fertilizer of 5-10-10 or 5-10-5 each spring is very beneficial. A second application of a low nitrogen fertilizer can be applied in the late summer or early fall.
PLANTING YOUR DAYLILY
Daylily plants need to consume quite a bit of food and water to produce such a great flower show, so they shouldn't be planted too close to trees or shrubs which would compete for the moisture and nutrients. Prepare the planting area by digging a hole 50% larger in diameter than the root ball of your plant and down at least a foot to loosen the soil. Mix in compost, well rotted manure, sand, or peat moss thoroughly, then form a mound in the center of the hole. Set the plant in place with the roots spread on all sides of the mound, at the depth at which it was originally growing.
GROWING TIPS
Never plant Daylilies so that the crown (where foliage and roots join) is more than an inch deep. Add the soil around the roots, firming it as you go. When the hole is half filled with soil, water it very well to insure good soil to root contact, and then add the remaining soil. Firm the soil again, leaving a slight depression around the perimeter to act as a reservoir. Water thoroughly. A good mulch of wood chips or bark will help to preserve the moisture in the summer, as well as helping to control the weeds all year long.
PROPAGATING DAYLILY PLANTS
Daylilies should be divided every three to four years. The best time to transplant or divide plants is in early spring or immediately after they finish flowering. Dig the entire plant up and gently pull the leaf fans apart, with each division having a minimum of 3 fans. Replant divisions 18'' - 36' apart. Newly divided plants may not flower the first summer.