Day Lily Growing Guide
What is Day Lily?
Day Lily (Hemerocallis x hybrid) also known as Hemerocallis is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant. It is part of the Liliaceae family and is native to Japan. Day Lilies get their name because each flower only lasts for one day. Even through one flower only lasts for a day the blooming period is quite long, lasting for around 6 weeks between Spring to Autumn depending on variety. Each flower stem that the plant produces can have between 25 and 50 blooms per stem. Flowers come in a variety of warm colours such as orange, yellow, pink, maroon and red. Best results will be achieved after 2nd or 3rd year of flowering and the plant is better left in the ground to naturalise. There are three types of Day Lilies. Evergreen where the leaves remain all year round. Semi evergreen, where the leaves will die back by half and then will sprout back in Spring. Winter Dormant where the plant goes into dormancy over Winter and all the leaves will die back before regrowing in Spring. Day lilies have thick tuberous roots that store water and food. The foliage is long green and strappy which forms clumps. When planting Day Lilies they need a full sun position in the garden that has at least 5 – 7 hours of sun every day. They respond well to lots of organic matter in the soil and love thick mulch.
Benefits of Growing Day Lily
Day Lilies are great for the beginner gardener as they require minimal care. These plants are surprisingly easy to grow, long lived, long flowering, versatile and hardy. They are not fussy about soil type. Day Lilies make an excellent border plant. They can be used effectively in many parts of the garden such as on slopes not suited for mowing, along fences, around lakes and ponds or in a rock garden.
How to Grow Day Lily
Day Lily Rapid Eye Movement
Climatic Zones
Cool to tropical.
Plant Size
Height: 50-75cm, Width: 40-70cm
When To Plant Day Lily
Anytime but best around the cooler months.
Soil Preparation
They adapt to most soil types however they prefer well drained, friable soil with lots of organic matter.
How To Plant Day Lily
Plant in full sun, 60cm apart with the plant crown at soil level.
Day Lily Plant Care
Although drought tolerant, it’s best to water them weekly during flowering and periods of really hot weather.
Annually mulch and incorporate organic matter.
Remove any dead flower stalks or old foliage. Both can be removed by hand and with a light tug should come free of the plant.
Thriving Day Lilies will grow into large clumps after a few years that can be divided by root division. Use a garden fork and a sharp knife, shake off any excess dirt and make sure that you have a crown with a root system (best done during Winter and Spring). Trim off the foliage to about 10cm and trim off any dead or damaged roots. Re-plant in a pre-prepared garden bed.
Daylilies are practically disease and pest free. However, it may be necessary to watch for thrip, aphids, spider mites and white curl grubs in the soil.
Recommended Day Lily Varieties
With a wide range of colour and sizes, Day Lilies will create an excellent low maintenance boarder.
Day Lily Sanford House
Day Lily Fire Breathing Dragon
Day Lily Spacecoast Dark Obsession
