First Posted: 6/19/2013
It grows in many types of well-drained soil, clay to sand. It grows in partial shade to full sun. Flower size varies between smaller than 2 inches to greater than 12. Flower scape (or stalk) height can vary from less than 12 inches to a towering 60 inches. It can be found in almost any color imagined and endless combinations thereof. Our sweltering summer heat doesn’t even seem to stifle its performance.
If you haven’t guessed by now, the daylily could be the perfect perennial. Daylilies are many gardeners favorite gardening plant.
The daylily has improved vastly during the past 50 years due to intense breeding efforts by hybridizers or daylily breeders. The common name implies the flower lasts only one day, which has been typical of the older species and cultivars (varieties); improvements are now extending the flower length into the second day. Each clump of daylilies produces at least one flower scape per fan. Each scape can carry 15 to 40 buds developing into that many individual flowers. Multiple open flowers are possible daily on one scape presenting a garden floral bouquet. Many, if not most, newer cultivars rebloom. After the first set of scapes bloom, the plant will produce a second set of scapes, extending the flowering season well beyond what was traditionally only a few weeks.
Hybridization has changed shades of yellow, orange, and rusty rose into vibrant purple, pink, red, orange, lavender, and bright clear yellow. Classified as near white, but visually it appears white and blue is the next color to add to the daylily’s spectrum with current hybridizer’s urgency.
Flower form has seen the most exciting changes. Flower form is now too varied to be completely described here. It can be miniature, round, double, re-curved, spider and most commonly full. Along with new forms, fragrance has also been introduced to sweeten the allure of the daylily.
The time the plant begins to flower has been categorized into extra early, early, early middle, middle, middle late, late and very late. Extra early season usually starts at the beginning of May and the late season normally begins late June to early July. These season extenders offer the opportunity to have daylilies blooming from early May through September. Some rebloom has lasted until frost.
Daylilies can be inter-planted in a mixed bed or border for the flowering color, but also for the arching grass like foliage offering variety in texture. Daylilies can aid in erosion control with their fibrous roots. Daylilies can be planted almost any time of year, but for optimum root development prior to flowering, fall and early spring is preferred. When planting, daylilies should be spaced 18 inches to 24 inches apart. Diminishing flower production can indicate a clump has reached maturity and can be divided. Lifting the entire clump and separating the fans will provide more plants to expand your garden or share with a neighbor.
For information contact Mack Johnson, Extension Horticulture Agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center, at 910-671-3276 or email at [email protected], or visit our website at http://robeson.ces.ncsu.edu.
