How to Grow Daylilies
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Contents |
[edit] What to Plant
Select the appropriate daylily varieties for your climate. While most daylilies will grow in a wide variety of climates, some are best suited for specific areas. Because most of the daylilies grown today are hybrids of dormant and evergreen species, they can be categorized into these three groups depending on whether they lose their foliage during the dormant season. Daylilies are divided into three general categories:
- Evergreen - cultivars that retain their foliage throughout the year. Especially popular in mild climates, but grown widely.
- Semi-evergreen - cultivars that tend to lose most of their foliage during the winter. Adaptable to a wide variety of climates.
- Dormant - cultivars that lose their foliage entirely during the winter. Especially adaptable to cold climates but will grow well in all except the most tropical environments.
[edit] When to plant
[edit] North
[edit] South
[edit] Where to plant
[edit] Sun or Shade
Flowers will be more prolific in better soil and in full sun. In heavy shade, foliage may be more abundant with few flowers. Daylilies prefer at least six hours a day for the paler shades, less for the darker reds and purples. If flowers fade, wilt or burn in direct sun, move them to filtered shade.
[edit] Spacing
For large daylilies allow at least 18 to 20 inches between plants, 15 to 17 inches for medium size plants and 12 to 14 inches for small size plants.
[edit] Soil Type
A well-drained soil rich in organic material with a pH between 6 and 7 is recommended. Amend soils with compost, peat, good top soil, a little manure, and / or other available organic material. Mix the added materials with a garden fork to the depth of the fork. Spending time and money on your soil is always a good investment.
[edit] Drainage
[edit] How to plant
[edit] Planting from seeds
Daylilies are most often propagated by division, but they can also be propagated by proliferations and by seed. Seedlings of a daylily will differ from the parent, as any child might.
Daylily seeds are easy to gather, but not all seeds are fertile. Some plants may be sterile and never produce seeds, some may be fertile one way or both ways.
When seed pods turn brown and start to split, gently remove seeds. Jason will tie a bag over the flowers he pollinated to catch the seed, and leave the pod on the stem as long as possible. Seeds should dry (at least one month is recommended) before refrigerating or planting.
Germinate seeds approximately two weeks in any suitable germinating mixture. Cover seeds to a 1/8 to 1/4 inch depth. Place containers in partial shade to prevent drying out. Transplant when adequate roots develop and wait two to three years for a flower.
To properly hybridize a new registered daylily will take some patience and persistence, but since each seed-grown daylily is different from every other daylily in the world, even a beginning gardener can help create a brand new flower.
[edit] Caring for Daylilies
[edit] Watering
[edit] Fertilizing
Use a time release fertilizer with micronutrients in the fall and spring when blooms begin. A handful per plant, spread around the base, is usually enough. A composted mulch is a form of slow release fertilizer which also conserves water, cools the soil, and reduces the number of weeds.
