Discover the Best Daylily Plants for Your Garden
Daylily is the common name for a flowering plant that belongs to the genus Hemerocallis. Daylilies are native to Asia, where they have been cultivated for centuries. The daylily is a hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. They are low-maintenance plants that require little care once they are established. Dayliles come in a wide range of colors, including yellow, orange, pink, red, and purple. The flowers are typically 3-5 inches in diameter and have six petals. Daylilies bloom in late spring or early summer and will rebloom throughout the summer if they are deadheaded. Daylilies are not true lilies (Lilium species), but they are members of the lily family (Liliaceae).
Daylilies are easy to grow and care for, and they come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. Plus, they bloom prolifically from early summer to fall. Read on for tips on how to grow daylilies in your garden.
When choosing daylilies for your garden, take into account the size of the plant and the blooms. There are dwarf varieties that only grow 12-18 inches tall, as well as giant varieties that can reach up to 6 feet tall. The size of the blooms also varies, from 2 inches across to massive 10-inch blooms. Choose a variety that will fit well into your garden space and that has blooms that you find attractive.
When it comes to the color of the blooms, the sky is the limit! Daylilies come in just about every color imaginable, from classic orange and yellow to pink, red, purple, and white. There are even bicolor varieties with two colors on each bloom. Look for a variety that will complement the other plants in your garden.
Daylilies prefer full sun but will tolerate partial shade, especially in hot summer climates. They are not particular about soil type but prefer well-drained soil. To plant daylilies, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and just deep enough so that the crown of the plant is at soil level. Gently loosen the roots and spread them out in the hole. Backfill with soil and water well.
Once established, daylilies are very drought tolerant. Water them weekly during the first growing season to help them get established. After that, they only need watering during prolonged dry periods. Fertilize daylilies once a year in early spring with a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10.
Daylilies are not susceptible to many pests or diseases, but they can be bothered by aphids, mites, and rust. If you see any of these pests on your plants, treat them with an appropriate insecticide or fungicide according to label directions.
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