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Daylily: A Perennial FavoriteWhenever a beginning flower gardener asks me what to plant, my answer is
always the same -- daylilies. Without a doubt, daylilies rank high among
the easiest, most adaptable plants for the flower garden.
Daylilies will
stand up to all but the most
severe abuse and neglect, repeating their colorful show year after year.
Growing Habit:- Like their name Hemerocallis ("beauty for a day")
indicates, the individual daylily flower lasts only one day. A single
plant may produce over 50 flowers, however, extending the blooming
period of a plant for several weeks.
Daylilies produce a wide array of blooms. Some varieties provide single
trumpet-shaped flowers. Others are double, ruffled, fringed or
spiderlily-like. Bloom sizes among varieties range from 2 - 8 inches.
Gardeners especially value daylilies for their wide range of colors, as
there are varieties available in every color except blue. Some daylily
blooms are a single color, but many are multi-colored.
Most daylilies have arching foliage that grows 18 to 24 inches tall.
Some varieties have erect foliage, however. Some grow as low as 12
inches and others reach 3 feet. Leaf color ranges from pale green to
dark green with a bluish cast.
Daylilies are perennial plants, with deciduous, semi-evergreen and
evergreen varieties available.
Location: You can find daylily varieties for all U.S. zones, however,
daylilies thrive in zones 4 - 9.
Although they are adaptable to most soils, daylilies do best in slightly
acidic, moist soil that is high in organic matter and well drained.
Excessively rich soils may result in increased foliage growth and
decreased blooming.
Daylilies prefer full sun, but will tolerate light shade. In the hotter
regions, some light afternoon shade will protect the blooms of some
daylily varieties from fading.
Although daylilies are drought-tolerant once established, consistent
watering while they are budding and flowering will produce
better-quality flowers. During hot weather, they should be watered at
least weekly with 1/2 to 1 inch of water to encourage the best and
longest-lasting show.
Propagation and Planting:- When planting daylilies, whether divisions or
newly-purchased plants, you should dig a hole slightly larger than the
roots to be sure the roots are allowed to spread out. Make a small cone
of soil in the center of the hole and place the plant on top, fanning
the roots outward and downward. Carefully work the soil in around the
roots.
The crown should be set not more than an inch or so below the
soil
surface. Tall cultivars should be spaced 24 to 30 inches apart with
smaller types 18 to 24 inches apart.
Daylilies are very easily propagated by the division of old clumps. You
should divide clumps when they become overcrowded, usually every 4 to 6
years. For very vigorous cultivars, you may need to divide them more
often.
The best time for dividing old clumps and resetting divisions or
new plants is from late summer to late autumn. You may also plant them
in the very early spring, however this may result in decreased blooming
the first season.
To divide a daylily 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 of 3 - 4 fans each. You should replant the
new divisions as soon as possible, however, they should be able to
survive for several days if protected from the heat and sun.
Pest and Disease Prevention: Daylilies are usually free from pests and
diseases. Aphids and thrips sometimes feed on the flower buds. These
pests can be easily controlled with
insecticidal soaps, dishwashing liquid mixed with water in a spray
bottle, or simply a strong spray of water.
Garden
Landscape Uses: Daylilies are most effective when planted in sweeping
drifts or masses. They are attractive in the perennial flower border
when 3 plants or more of the same variety are planted together. They can
add great amounts of color to a garden landscape naturalization project.
Daylilies are also perfect for tough gardening situations. They are salt
tolerant, so they do well near the coast. When planted on slopes and
steep hills, they form a dense mat that helps prevent erosion. Daylilies
are even useful in areas prone to brush fires, as their roots are
engorged with water and, when planted in mass, can stop a brush fire in
its tracks.
Culinary Uses: While most flower gardeners are familiar with daylilies,
few know that practically every part of the daylily is edible. Daylilies
are actually higher in protein and Vitamin C than most of the vegetables
we eat.
Some common ways of eating daylilies include adding fresh buds
and blossoms to salads, as well as battering and frying them like squash
blossoms. Dried daylily petals, called "golden needles" by the Chinese,
are an ingredient in many Chinese recipes, including hot-and-sour soup.
Daylilies are adaptable, vigorous perennials that thrive in the garden,
even when neglected. They are easy to establish and multiply quickly.
They are virtually pest- and disease-free. They even taste good.
Go out
and find a sunny spot in your garden to add a new daylily. You will
quickly discover why daylilies are one of the flower gardener's favorite
plants.
Author: Sherri Allen
About the author:
About the Author: Sherri Allen is the editor of an award-winning website
devoted to topics such as family, food, garden, house&home and money.
For free articles, information, tips, recipes, reviews and coloring
pages, visit
http://www.SherriAllen.com
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