Daylilies are hardy perennial plants with fibrous roots that grow in clumps and can be divided once they have been established over several years. The botanical name for the daylily genus is Hemerocallis, which can be translated from the Greek to mean "beauty for a day", and refers to the fact that each bloom lasts just one day. It should be noted that, while each bloom may last only a day, each plant can have many flower buds on one scape (leafless stalk), and many scapes in each clump of mature plants. This results in bloom periods that can continue for several weeks. In addition, many cultivars have more than one blooming period in a season. It is possible, by choosing early, mid, and late season cultivars, to have daylilies blooming from early spring until late fall in your garden. 

Daylilies come in a multitude of colors, shapes and sizes, making them a versatile addition to any garden. The flower scapes range in height from less than a foot to seven feet tall! They are drought tolerant, and can also survive all sorts of inclement winter weather conditions, growing back vigorously each spring.  

Hemerocallis 'Beat the Barons'

Hemerocallis 'Chicago Knobby'

Hemerocallis 'Jen Melon'

Planting

When to plant

Daylilies can be planted any time the ground is sufficiently workable, however our first preference would be to plant in spring, which will allow ample time for roots to become established before the onset of winter. Another school of thought recommends fall planting since ground conditions (having warmed throughout the summer) will promote rapid root growth, allowing plants to establish themselves quickly. Roots will generally continue adding new growth in soil temperatures ranging from 2^oC to 18^oC.

Where to plant

Daylilies prefer full sun although may tolerate partial shade.  They do best in well drained soil with a slightly acidic pH (6 - 6.5), but commonly tolerate a range of soil types and still perform admirably. If you have poor soil it can be amended with organic materials (compost; well aged horse, sheep or cow manure) over time to improve your garden's health and performance.

How to plant

If you are receiving your plants bare root by mail order it is best to soak the plant, fully immersing the roots, for a couple of hours before planting. Work the soil in your planting area so that it is loose to at least 12 inches in depth and 18 inches in diameter. In general the hole should be larger than the root mass. Add compost, good garden soil, or well rotted manure to the planting soil. A little bonemeal added in at this time will encourage strong roots.

Once you have the soil in your planting hole prepared mound up the soil at the centre of the hole so that the peak of the mound is about 2 inches below the surrounding (undisturbed) ground level. Place your bare root daylily so that it is centered on top of the mound in the hole with the roots spread out and draped down the sides of the mound. Fill around and on top of the roots, firming the soil over the roots as you go and gradually filling the hole so that when the hole is full and the soil is firmly packed in around your new plant the level of the soil in the hole is 1 inch lower than the surrounding (undisturbed) ground level. 

Container plants can be planted in a prepared hole in much the same way although you can use the soil from the container, gently loosening it around the plant roots if necessary. You may need to loosen the roots and spread them slightly, especially if the plant has been in the pot for an extended period of time prior to planting. 

It is important not to plant your daylily too deep. As a general rule there should be about 1 inch of soil above the crown of the plant (i.e. where the foliage and the roots meet). The soil should be just deep enough to cover the non-green portion of the fan. Water thoroughly.

Watering

Daylilies will perform best if given at least an inch of water a week during the growing season. You will have more scapes and buds, the flowers will be larger and will have better colour if you provide ample water just before and during the blooming period. In addition, if you provide adequate water, you will have greater success with reblooming cultivars, which can extend your season considerably.  

For large clumps that are difficult to divide you can use two spading forks placed back to back and plunged into the center of the clump that has been dug out. Then force the forks apart separating the clump into two. Further divisions can be made as necessary either with the spading forks or with a sharp knife. Older portions of the roots may be removed before replanting, as this will encourage new root growth.