A bed full of 10 different award-winning daylilies all in bloom.
The daylily really is the perfect perennial—easy to grow, virtually disease- and pest-free, and able to survive drought, shade, and poor soil. Learn more about growing daylilies as well as how to easily propagate them for more plants!
Originally from Asia, these plants have adapted so well that many of us think of them as natives. Imagine the excitement of a 16th century explorer cruising the Orient and finding these gorgeous plants! European gardeners welcomed daylilies into their gardens and when early colonists sailed for the New World, daylilies made the crossing with them.
Daylilies have a long history in both the garden and the kitchen. The tender foliage was eaten as a spring green, the buds and flowers were eaten raw and in soups, and the swollen portions of the root were boiled and eaten. All parts have a mild peppery taste and act as a thickening agent when cooked in stews, soups, or sauces.
Their botanical name Hemerocallis means "beauty for a day" because each blossom lasts for only one day. Unlike true lilies which grow from bulbs, daylilies grow from fleshy roots and the flowers form on leafless scapes which rise above the foliage. Each scape has 12-15 buds on it, one opening every other day. A mature plant can have 4 to 6 scapes, giving a long bloom period. Plant heights refer to the length of the scape and some can reach six feet tall!
Propagating Daylilies
To propagate them, divide the daylily clumps in early spring (February through April) or in the late summer to fall after flowering (late July through mid-September) prior to the autumnal equinox. The plants need at least six weeks to get re-established before winter.
Though many gardening books recommend cutting or prying the roots apart using two garden forks, I have had good success by briefly soaking the roots in a bucket of water until most of the soil is gone. Then it is much easier to pull the clumps apart (and you do not damage the plant). Dig up the entire clump. After the soil is removed, see where the crown is located. Starting from the outer edge, break it into larger clumps (two, three, or no more than four). Cut the leaves back to approximately one third to one half their length. Replant. You can add a high phosphorus fertilizer if you wish to speed up growth.
Though they will survive in less than ideal conditions, daylilies will perform best if given full sun and a spot with well-drained, fertile soil. The crown of the plant (where roots and leaves meet) should be buried one inch deep. Keep a newly planted daylily watered and mulch it to keep it moist. The red lily-leaf beetle, which has decimated the Asiatic and Oriental lilies, shows no interest in daylilies.
There are thousands of beautiful daylilies to choose from. Combine early, mid-season, late blossoming varieties, and repeat bloomers to have daylilies in flower from late spring into fall.
Did you know: Daylilies are not "true" lilies (from the genus Lilium), despite their name. If interested, see our Lilies page to learn how to grow Asiatic and Oriental lilies.
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I currently have around 80 different daylilies around my tiny 50x100 plot where half is covered by my house, and always look to add another. The back yard is partially shaded and the front is in full sun. All bloom well regardless of where they are planted. They cross breed naturally and occasionally with some help from me. The tallest is over 5' and the smallest is around 8" with a 2" blossom. Some are rebloomers-NOT all Stella D'Oro. I have no favorites although I do love the smaller ones. There are no deer where I live, so other than the squirrels and rabbits, no creatures usually bother them. I have planted them at almost every season except mid winter. I love shopping the garden centers after the season to pick up any leftovers at discount prices, which in some cases can be quite extravagant. It is April and the foliage is already 6"+ high. If the rain continues, I should have a richly rewarding season of blooms.
I have planted Day Lilies in the past, they bloom and then the deer will come and eat the flowers and the leaves.
I stopped planting them because of this problem.
This year we had work done on our yard and the landscaper put some new plants into the garden
This morning the Deer had eaten all the leaves down to the ground.
Any Suggestions to keep the Deer away!!!
Yes! A mixture of cayenne pepper and water. Use a spray bottle, Spray all parts of the plants. it’s inexpensive and you can spray them after a rain to keep the deer away..
A bow set works great. Alternatively, deer knocker water feature.
Where can I find bulbs or seeds for moonflower plant)
Looks like a giant Easter lily.
I have a daylily in a pot that I've had for maybe 6-8 years. Despite my brown thumb, I managed to keep it alive and flowering. However, for the last 3-4 years it has not flowered at all. The leaves grow nicely, I have it in a sunny spot, the pot drains well, and I have mulch on top to keep the moisture in. The only other thing I can think of is that it has outgrown it's pot. Can you tell me if you think that's the case, or if you have any other ideas? I am in the Detroit area of Michigan and store the pot in my cool basement in the winter.
Take it out of the pot, divide the bulbs and replant in the ground or use a few more pots.
Wow Amanda! I have never heard of anyone growing a daylily in the manner you have described. If it has been in the same pot with the same soil for 6-8 years I think it is time for a change. Knock it out of the pot and see how overgrown the roots are. If it is a tight fit, separate it into two or more plants and repot them in fresh soil. It will need some time to readjust and probably will not bloom this year but in future years it should reward you with more blossoms.
Should I remove the scapes when they no longer have flowers on them?
If they show no sign of developing any more buds, by all means cut the scapes off to neaten things up.
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