Daylilies or Hemerocallis (hem-er-oh-kal’is)

When fall is nearing, it is time to think about spectacular spring and summer gardens.

Most of us are familiar with daylilies, especially the orange ones that bloom along Virginia’s rural roads. Bur few of us realize that there are over 10,000 different daylily cultivars available.

The daylily is a member of the lily family Liliaceae (lily A see ee), as are such plants as onions and hyacinths. Whereas true lilies are in the plant genus Lilium, daylilies are in the genus Hemerocallis
The word Hemerocallis is derived from two Greek words and means “beauty for a day” referring to the fact that each flower lasts only one day. To make up for this, there are many flower buds on each daylily scape or flower stalk, and many scapes in each clump of plants, so each plant often produces over fifty flowers during its two- to three-week blooming period. Additionally, many varieties have more than one flowering period.

Since the early 1930s, hybridizers in the United States and England have made great improvements in daylilies. Originally, the only colors were yellow, orange, and red. Today, we have colors ranging from near-whites, through a range of pastels, yellows, oranges, pinks and on to vivid reds, crimson, purple, nearly black, as well as fabulous blends of several colors.

The individual daylily flowers can range from 2 to 8 inches in diameter. They may have a single ring of petals while others have double rows. The petals may be overlapped, recurved, frilled, crinkled, or ruffled. The bell-type flowers may be deep and trumpet-shaped or more shallow and cup-shaped.

Not only do daylilies come in many colors and shapes, but they also vary greatly in size. If you are planting against a fence, you will want to select ones with tall scapes to go in the back and shorter ones for the front. In a circular or rectangular garden, place the taller ones in the middle. Heights vary from 12 to 60 inches. Any combination of height, color and flower type may be possible.

Additionally, there are two different blooming habits offering plenty of variety for your garden. The familiar diurnal lilies, which bloom in the early morning and fade at sunset, and nocturnal bloomers which open late in the afternoon, remain open all night, and close the following morning or early afternoon. Both diurnals and nocturnals may be extended bloomers whose blooms remain open at least 16 hours.

The lovely little stella d’oro has become the workhorse of landscape daylilies. It is seen in mass planting in interstate medians and in front of gas stations as well as in many home gardens. Since it is small and reblooms, it fits well into many landscape designs. Since its introduction in 1975, many other cultivars have been hybridized from the stella d’oro, giving us a broad array of dwarf lilies, most of which rebloom, from which to choose.

Now let’s plan our perfect summer garden.
Site Selection
Daylilies are able to withstand heat and drought better than many garden flowers and therefore do best in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade as long as they get at least 4-6 hours of sun a day. They also are completely winter hardy and have an excellent ability to survive floods and drought. Even with the ability to survive floods, they do not like waterlogged soils and require good drainage. Daylilies will grow well when planted on high banks near streams and ponds as well as in perennial borders and for naturalizing in less formal gardens. Low-growing types can be an excellent addition to rock gardens. Daylilies will grow in sandy soil or in heavy clay. They are also fine container plants. Less than ideal soils can be amended with compost, manure or other organic matter mixed into the top twelve to eighteen inches of soil. Generally, any soil that will grow good vegetables will grow excellent daylilies.

In the South, daylilies can be planted any time of the year, with spring and fall being the optimum time, and July and August the least desirable time.

With plants in hand, it is time to prepare the soil. Till about twelve inches deep and amend the soil with compost if necessary. Place the daylilies in the garden 12 to 24 inches apart When planting, spread the roots over a cone of soil at approximately ground level. Cover the roots with 1/2" to 1" of soil and firm with hands. Soak thoroughly after planting, and keep watered well for one month. After becoming established, daylilies can withstand long periods of drought; however, they reward you immensely for a good watering routine.

No fertilizer should be used until the daylilies are established and growing well (usually 4 to 6 weeks after planting). No fertilizer should be used in hot weather (June, July or August). Always use fertilizers at 1/2 the recommended amount, and never use fertilizers that are high in nitrogen. Commercial fertilizers like 12-24-12 or 5-10-5 in the fall and early spring with additional phosphorous in the early spring is good. Daylilies respond to bone meal or cottonseed after they are well established.

Daylilies can find numerous uses in the garden and landscape. They can be very dramatic in a perennial border or in the foreground of shrubbery plantings. They can be spectacular as foundation plantings, cover an unsightly bank or serve as accents beside a pond. These flowers may be most effective when planted in sweeping drifts or masses. In this way they can add great amounts of color to a landscape naturalization project.

The daylilies are one of the most adaptable and self-sufficient flowers ever planted in the garden. Few perennials are less exacting in their demands or require less care. They have practically no pest or disease problems. Daylilies thrive and bloom on a very meager diet. The plants require little cultivation since the plant foliage nearly completely shades the ground around it. The clumps will benefit from being lifted, divided and replanted every few years, but if that is not possible, the plants will continue to grow with a somewhat less abundant bloom.
Rmember, even with all of their toughness, daylilies may benefit from occasional waterings during the growing season, especially during dry periods. While most of the stems are strong and supple, occasionally a weak plant may benefit from staking.

The daylily is sometimes referred to as the perfect perennial because it is:
Available in a rainbow of colors and a variety of shapes and sizes.
Able to survive with very little care in a wide range of climates.
Suitable for all types of landscapes.
Drought resistant and almost disease and insect free.
Adaptable to various soil and light conditions.
Known to bloom from late spring until autumn

Written by members of the Heart of Virginia Master Gardeners

posted 3/1/07