The daylily has been called "the perfect perennial." Few plants compete in hardiness, beauty and diversity in landscaping.
In height, flower-bearing scapes may vary from a few inches to six feet, making it useful as both border and background. Types include both winter dormant and evergreen. Individual blooms vary from violet size to nine inches in diameter, and many are breathtaking. Flower forms include flat, ruffled, double and spider, and colors range the artistic palette, excepting only pure black, pure white and true blue. Many cultivars display several distinct hues on a single bloom.
Most varieties are incredibly tough, doing well in a variety of soils and weather extremes. Extended drought may force them into dormancy, but they generally recover quickly. Their name derives from each flower's one day of bloom, but most varieties produce sufficient buds for weeks of color. Some bloom in East Texas by mid-April, and late or repeat bloomers last into October.
The daylily grows in a clump, which generally multiplies readily and should be divided every 3-4 years, making it popular as a pass-along plant among friends.
Joan Driver, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Nothing says "summer" like a garden of mixed daylilies. Many daylilies bloom in midsummer when other perennials are feeling the stress of our hot Texas summers. There are many colors from which to choose but two of my favorites are the red Chicago Apache and the yellow Mary Todd. Daylilies planted near ornamental grass makes for great contrast in texture and color.
Daylilies are easy to grow. Full sun is the best, but a little afternoon shade in Texas will keep flowers from fading. Most daylilies tolerate quite a bit of shade, but will not flower as well.
Once daylilies are established, they're for the most part drought tolerant. They will bloom better and healthier with plenty of water. They like to have their roots cool. Mulching will keep the roots cool, the soil moist and the weeds to a minimum.
Fertilizing is not necessary for daylilies. Just a light sprinkle of all-purpose fertilizer in the spring and a little topcoat of compost will give the daylilies all they will need for the season. Over-fertilizing will get lots of green foliage but few blooms.
You need to divide daylilies every 5 to 7 years. You can divide any time except in the heat of summer with the best time being late summer and early fall. Dig the entire clump and tip it on its side. Wash off the dirt with a garden hose. You can usually break the daylilies into sections by using an old knife, but if too tightly clumped use a spade to cut the clump. Each section should have no less than two to three "fans". Dig a wide hole, make a mound in the center, place the new section on top of the mound while spreading the roots and then refill hole. Replant the sections at the same depth as they were before. Keep the new transplants well-watered through the rest of the growing season.
Once you get started with daylilies, you just don't know when to stop. There are so many choices and they work well just about anywhere. Keep trying new ones, you can't go wrong with a plant as easy to grow as daylilies. Happy gardening
Brenda Ilschner, Smith County Master Gardener Intern
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
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