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Take the Greek terms Hemero (for a day) and Callis (beauty),
and what have you got? Beauty for a day--which is exactly what
you get with these garden lovelies. While it is true that individual
flowers last for only a day, new buds will open almost daily
on the flower stalks (aka scapes). Sizeable daylily clumps with
numerous flowering scapes can remain in bloom for an entire
month.
Daylilies
grow better when fertilized. They respond to a fertilizer analysis
with a moderate amount of nitrogen and higher rates of phosphorous
and potash.
Choose a location that recieves at least a half a day of full
sunlight--in hottest climates it is best to avoid exposure to
afternoon sun, selecting a location that gets morning sun or
filtered shade instead. Light yellow cultivars, some shades
of pink, and delicate pastels need full sun to bring out their
colorings, while many red and purple cultivars will benefit
from partial shade in the hottest part of the day. (Dark colors
absorb heat and these darker lilies will not withstand the sun
as well as the lighter colored ones.) Daylilies do not grow
well near broadleaf trees such as maples, poplars, or beeches
because the tree roots rob the soil of moisture and nutrients.
Daylilies do perform well under the dappled shade offered by
pine trees, where there is no competition with the pines' deep
root systems.
Plant
daylilies 18-24 inches apart in individual holes several inches
wider than the root system and at least 12 inches deep. Set
the plant so that the point where roots and foliage meet is
no deeper than one inch below the surface of the soil. Planting
daylilies too deep into the ground can result in lessened plant
vigor, reduced flowering, yellow-brown leaves, and overall plant
decline.Construct a small mound of soil around the outside of
the planting hole with the remaining soil. This low, circular,
ring of soil is called a water ring and will direct water toward
the root system. Water the plant thoroughly after planting and
once or twice a week until well established.
Daylilies
temporarily can survive dry conditions, however weekly application
of water during the growing season will promote better growth
and flowering. Each application of water should wet the soil
10-12 inches deep. Overwatering or poor drainage will cause
trouble. Poor drainage decreases or depletes soil oxygen levels
which affects the growth of roots and encourages the growth
of disease organisms like mold.
Pests
to watch for include aphids, thrips, spider mites and nematodes
(attack at the root)
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& Flower Index
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