Originally native from Europe to China, Korea, and Japan, their large showy flowers have made them popular worldwide. There are over 60,000 registered cultivars. Only a few cultivars are scented. Some cultivars rebloom later in the season, particularly if their developing seedpods are removed.
Daylilies occur as a clump including leaves, the crown, and the roots. The long, often linear lanceolate leaves are grouped into flat fans with leaves arching out to both sides. The crown of a daylily is the small white portion between the leaves and the roots, an essential part of the fan. Along the flower stem or scape, small leafy "proliferations" may form at nodes or in bracts. These proliferations form roots when planted and are the exact clones of the parent plant. Some daylilies show elongated widenings along the roots, made by the plant mostly for water storage and an indication of good health.
The flower consists of three petals and three sepals, collectively called tepals, each with a midrib in the same or in a contrasting color. The centermost section of the flower, called the throat, has usually a different and contrasting color. There are six stamens, each with a two-lobed anther. After pollination, the flower forms a pod.
Daylilies can be grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 1 through 11, making them some of the most adaptable landscape plants. Most of the cultivars have been developed within the last 100 years. The large-flowered clear yellow 'Hyperion', introduced in the 1920s, heralded a return to gardens of the once-dismissed daylily, and is still widely available. Daylily breeding has been a specialty in the United States, where their heat- and drought-resistance made them garden standbys during the later 20th century. New cultivars have sold for thousands of dollars, but sturdy and prolific introductions soon reach reasonable prices.
Bibliographic details for "Daylily" Page name: Daylily Author: Wikipedia contributors Publisher: Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Date of last revision: 23 March 2008 Date retrieved: 28 March 2008 Permanent link: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Daylily&oldid=200359751 Page Version ID: 200359751
Tip: Try a low ground cover like white Alyssum around the lilies.
Once planted the daylilies will quickly grow and thrive with little attention. They will bloom brightly once a year and the blooms will last for a week or so if the weather is not too hot.
After blooming, the big, bright leaves will shine in your flower garden until fall.
Although tolerant of neglect, like most plants, daylilies respond better to careful treatment, including full sun and decent soil. Daylilies create the most impact when planted in masses or sweeping groups to provide lots of mid-summer color. These hardy perennials are particularly effective in country gardens.
Planting: The best time to plant daylilies is in spring or autumn. Just avoid periods of drought, unless you are prepared to water your new plants faithfully. Improve your soil by working in some compost in before planting. Recommended planting distance is 12 to 24 inches apart. Your planting hole should be a little larger than the root mass. The crown (band of white on the foliage) is the indicator for depth as this should be just below the surface. Set the plant so that the crown is no deeper than one inch below the surface of the soil. Firm the soil after planting, using your hands (pressing or stomping with your feet can cause root damage).
Watering: Water plants thoroughly after planting, and continue to deep soak them at least weekly until established (about six to eight weeks). Although daylilies are drought-tolerant once established, consistent watering while they are budding and flowering will produce better-quality flowers. Mulching and fertilizing: Mulch your daylily beds with compost in spring. Avoid giving daylilies high nitrogen fertilizers as this promotes more foliage growth at the expense of flowers. Fertilizers with 5-10-15 and 6-12-12 are low in nitrogen and provide good ratios of phosphorous and potash.
Grooming: Daylilies look best if you give them some grooming through the season. At the beginning of the growing season remove any old damaged foliage from around the clumps. Remove spent blooms and seedheads after flowering to keep your plants neat looking and to encourage rebloom. When all the flowers on a scape (flower stalk) are finished, cut off the scape close to ground level. Remove dead foliage from daylilies as they die back in the fall.
Dividing: Division is not essential but can revitalize flowering if the plants have crowded and overgrown. The job is usually done after flowering, but daylilies are such tough plants that they will tolerate division throughout the growing season. To divide a clump, cut into the soil around the plant with a spade and then lift the entire clump out of the soil with a garden fork. To separate the plant into individual fans (a grouping of leaves with roots attached), shake it to remove as much soil as possible. If necessary, use a hose to wash away excess soil, then work the roots apart into good-sized clumps.
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