Day Lily Growing Guide
Day Lily Growing Guide
Day lilies (Hemerocallis) are a perennial plant. Day lilies are easy to grow and suit
any garden – sub-tropical, cottage garden, formal or informal.
Day lilies are either dormant, semi-evergreen or evergreen. If dormant they will die down for a short time over winter and in early spring new leaves will push up from the fan base.
Planting
Day lilies will adapt to most soils but will do best in a rich, moist, well-drained soil. Your daylily will benefit with the addition of good organic matter such as compost and manure.
Day lilies like a sunny place in the garden but can tolerate partial shade.
Day lilies can be planted at any time of the year. Plant bare rooted day lilies in spring so they settle in before flowering starts.
Plant at least 60cm apart and add organic matter such as compost to the planting hole. Spread the roots over a mound of soil. Cover the roots but not the fan stem.
At planting time, a balanced slow-release fertilizer (10-10-10) may be added or in spring, blood and bone fertilizer. Day lilies love nitrogen and this is best applied in spring. Fertilize in September and March.
Although very tolerant of pH levels in soils, they will do best in a neutral to slightly acidic soil. A pH of 6 – 6.5 is preferred. If the soil is alkaline, add compost.
Mulch your day lilies to preserve moisture and reduce weeds growing around the base of the plant. Compost, well-aged wood chips or leaf mulch are ideal.
Water well in spring and summer during flower development and flowering time. Once or twice a week soaking is adequate for flower development.
In late autumn, the plants may be cut back after all flowering is completed. Leave 5cm – 10cm of leaf on the fans. In warm climates plants may put on more leaf.
Dormant varieties such as ‘Joshua’s Joy’
do not need to be cut back. Allow foliage to die back naturally and tidy up as they die off.
Pests & Fungal issues:
Day lilies are vigorous and hardy. In heavy frost or snow leaves may go mushy so cover them in temperatures below zero with frost cloth. Foliage can be cut back after frosts are over. New growth will appear as temperatures increase.
Aphids can invade day lilies but a squirt with the hose or a spray with a mild detergent and water solution will dispose of them. Neem oil is also an effective pest control spray.
Day lily rust can be a problem in humid climates but this does not occur in the dormant varieties. Evergreen varieties are less prone to rust. Anti-fungal sprays can reduce rust. Leaf streak occurs in humid climates. Cut affected leaves, apply fertilizer and water well.
Day lilies are wonderful flowering plants that bring joy to those that include them in their gardens.