The Daylily - A Perennial Favorite
Hardiness Zones:
2-9
Light: Full to Partial Sun
Preferred Soil Conditions: Any good garden soil.
Will tolerate sandy or clay soil.
Take a drive along any country road during mid-summer and you are bound to see them - stretches of roadside full of vibrant, orange daylilies. They are truly the sentinels of summer. Commonly known as 'Ditch Daylilies', they are actually a known cultivar (Hemerocallis fulva) which has naturally spread and thrived in the 'wild'. Indeed, Daylilies have come a long way from their native home in the temperate regions of Asia.
Daylilies are a perennial belonging to the plant family Hemerocallidaceae, hence the scientific name, Hemerocallis. Hemerocallis comes from the combination of two Greek words meaning 'beauty' and 'day', aptly reminding us that each flower lasts but one day. Luckily for us, each daylily produces many stems, with multiple buds on each stem, so that the flowering period lasts for several weeks. Additionally, many cultivars are re-blooming, so that we may enjoy their beauty again and again.
Originally only available in yellow, orange and red; daylilies have continued to be hybridized and are now readily available in a wide spectrum of colors including pinks, purples, blue, whites, and pastels as well as many bicolor varieties.
But, truly the best reason for growing daylilies,
in addition to their beauty, is that they are incredibly EASY to grow!
Daylilies do their best in full to part sun (at least six hours a day).
Lighter flowers (i.e. pinks, yellows, whites, etc.) prefer full sun
while the darker flowers (reds, purples) do better in partial sun where
they will not absorb so much heat. Daylilies will tolerate poor soil,
but will thrive, and reward you by spreading (and subsequently
providing you with even MORE blooms)
when planted in well-drained, good quality soil.
Once your daylilies have spread and filled in, it is a good idea to divide them periodically to continue to encourage healthy growth. Generally, the best time to divide is in late summer when they are done blooming. Split the clump using a garden fork, and replant your divisions elsewhere. Daylilies make wonderful border and hedgerow plants! Oh, and don't forget to share the wealth with your friends!
As the Daylily is such a
beloved perennial, there is an abundance of
information readily available to interested gardeners. There are
several excellent books about daylilies to consider, including Daylilies:
The Perfect Perennial
The American Hemerocallis Society's website is an excellent place to start. It features a FAQ section effectively covering all the basics of daylilies and an online database of cultivars.
My personal favorite is Frans Hals, a cinnamon and lemon bicolor. What's yours?!
Please refer to our Annuals & Perennials Archive for additonal articles.