Hemerocallis (Daylilies)

Why Should I Grow Daylily Flowers?

Daylilies are a wonderful addition to any garden for a host of reasons:

• Easy Maintenance: Daylilies are known for their hardiness and ability to thrive in various conditions. They can tolerate a range of soil types and moisture levels, making them easy to maintain. They’re also resistant to many common diseases and pests, reducing the need for constant care.
• Continuous Blooms: Although each flower only lasts for a day (hence the name), a single daylily plant produces many buds, providing blooms throughout the summer. Some varieties also offer repeat blooming, extending the display further.
• Variety of Colors and Forms: With over 80,000 registered cultivars, daylilies come in almost every color and form imaginable. This diversity allows you to choose the perfect daylilies to complement your garden’s color scheme and style.
• Versatility: Daylilies are versatile in terms of planting locations. They can be used in borders, as ground cover, or even in containers. They’re excellent for adding a splash of color to difficult areas, including slopes or areas with poor soil.
• Attract Wildlife: If you’re aiming to create a garden that invites wildlife, daylilies are a great choice. They attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, enhancing the biodiversity of your garden.
• Edible Flowers: The flowers of daylilies are edible and can be used in salads, soups, and stir-fries. They’re a common ingredient in certain Asian cuisines.

Garden Design with Daylilies

Daylilies are remarkably versatile and can be incorporated into a variety of garden designs:

• Cottage Gardens: Daylilies’ classic form and vibrant colors make them a natural fit for a traditional cottage garden, where an abundance of plants creates a relaxed, colorful display. Mix them with other perennials like roses, foxgloves, and lavender for a diverse planting scheme.
• Contemporary Gardens: Modern cultivars of daylilies come in a wide variety of shapes and colors, making them suitable for contemporary designs as well. The strap-like foliage adds a textural element that works well with ornamental grasses and sleek architectural plants.
• Border Planting: Daylilies are excellent border plants. Plant them in large groups of a single variety for a dramatic effect, or mix them with other perennials and shrubs for a more informal look. Taller cultivars can be used at the back of the border, with shorter ones towards the front.
• Water-Side Planting: Since daylilies can tolerate damp conditions, they are perfect for planting alongside ponds or streams, where they can help to prevent soil erosion.
• Wildlife Gardens: Daylilies attract pollinators, making them a good choice for wildlife-friendly gardens. Plant them near seating areas where you can enjoy watching the bees and butterflies they attract.
• Container Gardening: Smaller cultivars of daylilies can be grown in pots or containers. This can be an effective way to add a splash of color to a patio or balcony.

In all these contexts, the key to using daylilies effectively in garden design is to consider their color and form in relation to the other plants in your scheme. This way, you can create a harmonious and visually appealing garden.

Companion Plants for Daylilies

Daylilies are quite versatile and can be paired with a variety of other plants to create beautiful, diverse garden displays. Here are some excellent companion plants:

• Salvia: The vibrant blooms of Salvia complement the colors of daylilies, and their upright growth habit creates an attractive contrast.
• Echinacea (Coneflower): The long-lasting blooms of Echinacea add height and texture to the garden, creating a striking backdrop for daylilies.
• Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan): The cheerful yellow blooms of Rudbeckia create a lovely contrast when planted alongside daylilies.
• Coreopsis: With their bright and dainty flowers, Coreopsis adds a touch of whimsy and attracts pollinators to the garden.
• Agastache (Hyssop): The fragrant blooms of Agastache complement the vibrant colors of daylilies and attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
• Lavender: The aromatic foliage and delicate purple flowers of Lavender create a soothing and visually pleasing combination with daylilies.
• Nepeta (Catmint): The soft blue flowers of Nepeta provide a cooling effect when planted alongside the warm-toned daylilies.
• Veronica (Speedwell): The upright spikes of Veronica add vertical interest to the garden and create a pleasing contrast with the ruffled daylily blooms.
• Gaillardia (Blanket Flower): The vibrant and daisy-like blooms of Gaillardia add a splash of color and attract pollinators to the garden.
• Achillea (Yarrow): The flat-topped clusters of Achillea flowers create a delicate and airy look that complements the bold blooms of daylilies.
• Phlox: The dense clusters of Phlox flowers in various shades of pink, purple, or white create a stunning combination with daylilies.
• Liatris (Blazing Star): The tall and spiky blooms of Liatris add vertical interest and create a striking contrast with the rounded daylily flowers.
• Geranium (Cranesbill): The low-growing and mounding habit of Geraniums creates a beautiful groundcover that complements the upright daylily foliage.
• Sedum: The succulent foliage and late-season blooms of Sedum provide a unique texture and add interest to the garden when combined with daylilies.
• Stachys (Lamb’s Ear): The soft and fuzzy foliage of Stachys creates a lovely contrast with the vibrant daylily blooms and adds a tactile element to the garden.
• Perovskia (Russian Sage): The silvery foliage and tall spikes of Perovskia create a stunning backdrop for daylilies and add a sense of airiness to the garden.
• Alchemilla (Lady’s Mantle): The frothy chartreuse flowers and textured foliage of Alchemilla provide a beautiful contrast when planted alongside daylilies.
• Helenium (Sneezeweed): The warm-toned and daisy-like blooms of Helenium complement the vibrant colors of daylilies and extend the blooming season.

These companion plants enhance the beauty of daylilies and provide a diverse range of colors, textures, and heights to create an aesthetically pleasing and balanced garden.

Growing Tips

Daylilies are renowned for their hardiness and adaptability, making them relatively easy to grow. Nonetheless, here are some tips to help you achieve the best results:

• Sunlight: Daylilies prefer full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade. In hot climates, some afternoon shade can actually be beneficial.
• Soil: Plant daylilies in well-draining soil. They can tolerate a range of soil types, from sandy to clay, but perform best in a soil rich in organic matter.
• Watering: Water newly planted daylilies thoroughly and regularly, but once established, they become quite drought-tolerant. However, for best flowering, it’s good to provide consistent moisture, especially in dry periods.
• Fertilizer: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring and again in early summer to encourage vigorous growth and blooming.
• Mulching: A layer of mulch around the plants can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
• Deadheading: While not necessary for plant health, removing spent flowers (deadheading) can keep the plants looking neat and tidy. Some daylilies are “reblooming” varieties that will produce more flowers if the old ones are removed.
• Pruning: When all the flowers on a scape are finished, cut off the scape close to ground level. Remove dead foliage from daylilies as they die back in the fall.
• Dividing: Daylilies can be divided every 3-5 years to maintain vigor and flower production. This is best done in early spring or after flowering in late summer or early fall.
• Pests and Diseases: Daylilies are generally pest and disease-resistant, but keep an eye out for daylily rust (a fungal disease) and pests like aphids and spider mites. Good cultural practices usually prevent most issues.
• Winter Care: In colder climates, consider mulching around the base of the plant in late fall to provide extra winter protection. Remove this mulch in the spring as the weather warms.

Remember, daylilies are incredibly adaptable and resilient. They can survive less than ideal conditions, but these tips can help maximize their blooming potential and overall health.