They wonder what plant combines beauty and color with long life, hardiness, and ease of care. The answer is daylilies, known botanically as hemerocallis.
They are truly the delight of the home gardener, for they give maximum pleasure with a minimum of effort. Indeed, daylilies are more widely adapted to various soils and climates than any other hardy perennial.
From East to West, North to South, they flourish—in the sun or shade and dry or wet soils. Daylilies do not require frequent division (may be left undisturbed for ten to 12 years) or re-planting.
It is no wonder that daylilies are so widely grown throughout our country that they have become naturalized in fields and by pools and streams.
It is said that pioneer wagon trains emigrating westward sometimes lightened their load by parting with prized plants, often clumps of daylilies. These took root and spread to mark the way of the wagon trains!
Today’s daylilies combine the rugged constitution of their ancestors with the longer flowering season, new size, and an ever-expanding panorama of color—all the warm shades of citrus, deepening to russets, wine-reds, to mahoganies and near-maple shades.
The luscious, melting pink kinds have opened a new age of elegance for the daylily.
Study daylily catalogs to pick the varieties which appeal the most to you, then compare the blooming times listed. You can have daylilies in bloom from peony-time in early summer until frost.
Where and When To Plant Daylilies
Daylilies are not fussy about how they are planted. Almost any kind of soil will support them.
They give a good performance in partial shade or will do equally well if given a place in the sun. They may be grown singly or used for a massed effect.
Plant at any time when it’s convenient for you, preferably in spring or fall. When re-planting, set the divisions at the same depth they were previously; usually, the roots will be covered no deeper than 2” inches.
Daylilies may be had, according to variety, in heights ranging from 18” inches to 4’ feet. All have fountains of grassy, green foliage throughout the growing season; some are evergreen, and these varieties usually excel in Southern gardens.
Each daylily bloom stalk has many buds. Although individual flowers last but a day, new buds mature daily so that one variety gives a beautiful display for many weeks.
The flowers are erect, funnel-formed, and shaped like an Easter lily. They vary from this to nearly round, going to spectacular thin-petaled, spidery types.
Now, More Daylilies With Perfume
In recent years, through the patient efforts of hybridizers and wonderful plant breeders who bless the world of daylilies—fragrance has been added to the list of daylily advantages.
Of course, the old “lemon lily” (H. (lava) has fragrance; some others with fragrance, listed in blooming order from early to late, include:”
- Flavina
- Judge Orr
- Fond Caress
- Cool Waters
- Golden Moth
- Hyperion
- Lark Song
- Midwest Majesty
- Dawning Light
- Lemon Lustre
- Harvest Sunshine
44659 by Mark M. Taylor