Last Updated on August 9, 2022 by Real Men Sow
Hemerocallis or day lilies are beautiful perennials that bear exotic trumpet-shaped, lily-like daylilies. Hemerocallis is a Greek term that means “beautiful for one” and the plants have so-called because the individual blooms only last for one day. They are replaced quickly by new, vibrant flowers that provide a great display of color in the summer and fall.
Best Conditions To Grow Day Lilies
Day lilies can be tough but easy to grow because they can grow in most soils and are easy to maintain. They are drought-tolerant and prefer moisture. They can be grown in sunny areas and their foliage is usually evergreen in warmer climates. Because their leaves can cover the bulbs’ leaves, they are often planted near spring bulbs. Because of their dense roots, they make excellent ground cover plants for slopes.
What Colours Are Day Lilies?
There are many day lilies available in a variety of colors. They are great for combining with other perennials like rudbeckias, geums and bronze fennel, and look particularly good in borders with a “hot” color theme. They look great with cannas, ginger lilies, and bananas. Some varieties can be scented. They are attractive to native insects, especially hoverflies, ladybirds and ladybirds.
Does Lily Beetles Attack Hemerocallis
Day lilies are immune to lily beetles which can decimate other lilies’ foliage, such as Lilium, Cardiocrinum, and Fritillaria. If you are willing to give it a try, some varieties of hemerocallis can be fried or added to your salads. However, if ingested, all parts of the plant can be toxic to cats.
How To Grow Day lilies (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies can survive in any soil, even clay. Hemerocallis thrive in moist, fertile soils that are well-drained and receive full sun. You can also grow smaller varieties in containers. To keep plants strong, divide them every couple of years.
Where To Grow Day lilies (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies don’t care about the soil type. However, for best results, daylilies should be grown in fertile soil that is well-drained and in full sunlight for at least six hours per day.
How To Plant Day lilies (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies can be purchased as container-grown plants that can grow in spring and summer. However, they can also be bought as bare-root plants online or at a garden center with bulbs. These plants can be planted in winter from November through March.
Plant a container-grown tree by adding plenty of organic matter to the hole. Make sure the crown (or base) of the plant is at the same level as the soil.
In Pots
The Bare Root daylilies should be planted in pots with multipurpose compost and kept warm in a greenhouse or cold frame. After a few months they will have a lot of leaves and can be transplanted to the garden. Pots with multi-purpose, peat-free compost are a good choice for smaller daylily varieties.
How To Care For Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
Mulch daylilies clump every spring with compost or well-rotted manure. This will retain moisture in the soil. Daylilies should be kept hydrated during dry spells, but they shouldn’t be fed as this can cause them to produce more foliage than flowers.
The seed pods can be used to make beautiful arrangements. However, you can’t deadhead the flowers. The whole plant can be cut back in autumn, but it shouldn’t look messy. If the leaves aren’t too messy, wait for spring. They can shelter insects during winter. Divide your daylilies every three-five years to keep them in good condition and give you new plants.
How To Propagate Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies can be easily propagated by simply dividing them in spring and autumn. This helps keep them healthy and allows you to grow new plants. You can also divide them using two forks or a saw, or sharp knife.
Daylilies (Hemerocallis): Problem-Solving
- Daylilies are generally easy to grow. Slugs and snails can cause damage to new shoots, but these are rarely serious problems.
- Hemerocallis gall-midge is a new pest that can inflict early-flowering plants. The flowers might not open properly if they are swollen. Any distorted buds should be removed and thrown away.
- Your plant may need to be divided if it is not flowering well. This could also indicate that your plant is growing in too much sun.
