DAYLILY CULTURE Contents Botanical Information . .......................................... 1 Diagram of a Daylily . ..................................... 1 Forms ................................................... 1 Color .................................................... 2 Cultural Information . ........................................... 2 Location ................................................. 2 Soil pH .................................................. 2 Soil Requirements ......................................... 2 Planting Time. ........................................... 3 Dividing Plants ........................................... 3 Planting ................................................. 3 Mulching ................................................ 3 Watering ................................................ 3 Fertilizing . .............................................. 4 Landscape Uses ................................................. 4 Pests .......................................................... 6 Cultural Problems ............................................... 7 Propagation .................................................... 7 Hybridizing .................................................... 7 Useful Links on the Web ......................................... 8 Summary ...................................................... 8 Daylily Culture Revised by Bodie Pennisi Extension Horticulture Specialist – Floriculture aylilies are one of the best perennials that can be part ovary (immature seed capsule). The upper part of D selected for Georgia gardens. They are easy to the perianth (flower parts) is divided into six parts, the grow, provide blooms over a fairly lengthy period, and inner three segments called petals and the outer three contribute both line and color in the landscape. parts called sepals. The perianth is tubular from the Great improvements have been made over the ovary to the point where the stamens are attached. The original daylilies imported into this country. The stature of most daylilies ranges from 18 inches to 5 lemon lily (Hemerocallis flava) and tawny daylily feet. (Hemerocallis fulva) found their way to the United The root systems vary from almost fibrous to the States in the 18th and 19th centuries. The orange- more common fleshy type. A few have a rhizomatous colored tawny daylily has become naturalized in many or spreading root system characteristic of H. fulva; areas of Georgia. however, most modern daylily hybrids develop a com- Thanks to modern hybridizers, we now have day- pact fleshy clump of roots (Figure 2, page 4). lily cultivars exhibiting red, orange, gold, melon, yellow, pink, lavender and near-white flowers as well Forms as exquisite combinations of these colors. Modern day hybridization has resulted in daylily Hemerocallis is the name given the daylily group. blooms in a variety of forms. The terms used to de- This name is derived from the Greek terms Hemero (for scribe the frontal view of the bloom are circular, trian- a day) and Callis (beauty), i.e., beauty for a day. It is gular and star. The side view is described as flat, flar- true that individual flowers last only one day, but new ing, recurved, trumpet, double or ruffled. buds on the flower stalks (scapes) open almost daily. Sizeable daylily clumps having numerous flowering scapes can remain in bloom for an entire month. Botanical Information Hemerocallis are in the lily family. Some botanists consider them to be more closely related to amaryllis. They differ from lilies somewhat because they do not grow from true bulbs. The flowers are borne on leaf- less stems. Daylilies are hardy, herbaceous perennials having clumps of smooth, grasslike foliage (Figure 1). Nar- row, heavily-ribbed leaves are long and two-ranked, forming regular fans. Certain varieties are referred to as evergreen because a portion of the foliage remains green throughout the winter. Others are completely deciduous. Slender flower stalks called scapes grow up- right and arise from the lower portion of the crown. Scapes usually extend above the foliage, branch near the top, and bear clusters of lily-like flowers. According to cultivar, daylilies may produce large (more than 4½ inches in diameter), medium (from 3 to 4½ inches in diameter), or miniature flowers (less than 3 inches in diameter). The flower parts include (Figure 1) stamens (pollen bearing organs) and a single three- Figure 1. Diagram of a daylily, including flower anatomy. 1 Bicolor — The petals and sepals are different colors, i.e., red and yellow. Banded or Eyezone — A band of a different or darker shade of color forms at the juncture of the seg- ments and the throat. This pattern is an “eye” or “eye- zone” if the differing color is present on both the petals and sepals. It is called “band” when it occurs only on the petals. A watermark is a band-type marking. It is a wide strip of a lighter shade where the petal and sepal colors meet the throat. Midrib — The color is a strong line of yellow, Figure 2. Daylily root systems vary from some- white or contrasting hues down the center of each what fleshy to a more swollen type. segment. Circular — The flower is round in appearance and Edged — This occurs when the segment edges are the segments generally overlap. either lighter or darker than the segment color. Triangular — The segments form a triangle. Star — The segments are long and pointed. The Cultural Information flower looks like a three-pointed or six-pointed star. Daylilies can be grown successfully in all areas of Informal — There is no recognizable shape. Seg- Georgia. They are frequently seen growing under ment placement is irregular, widely spaced or floppy. adverse conditions; however, this doesn’t mean they This form is often called “Spider.” thrive on neglect. Those who specialize in these plants Flat — Flowers are flat except the throat, which is are aware that nice foliage, quality flower and repeat concave. blooming is dependent on proper culture. Flaring — The segments arch out from the throat. Location The flaring side view most often accompanies the To achieve good growth and flowering, plant day- triangular front view. lilies where they receive full sunlight for at least half Recurved — The segments flare, but the ends of the day. Many varieties grow quite well if they receive the segments roll or tuck under. sun during the earlier part of the day and are partially Trumpet — Segments rise from the throat in an shaded from the late afternoon sun. Daylilies perform upward pattern rather than the usual outward pattern. well under filtered shade provided by tall pines. They Double — These are blooms with more than six produce abundant foliage in heavy shade but flower segments. The extra segments may number as many as poorly. If flowers of certain varieties fade, wilt or burn 18 and come in many forms. in direct sun, move them to filtered shade. Ruffled — The segments have a ruffled or crimped Soil pH appearance. Most ornamentation is called ruffling. A pH range of 6.0-6.5 is ideal for daylilies. This is Color considered mildly acid. An application of lime may be Daylily flowers are presently available in numer- needed should the pH range fall below 5.5. A soil anal- ous colors and combinations of colors. Terms used to ysis is the means of determining the need and amount of lime to apply. describe these include: Self — The flower petals and sepals are the same Soil Requirements color or shade. Daylilies will grow in a variety of soils ranging Blend — The flower petals and sepals are a blend- from light, sandy soils to heavy clays. Areas used for ing of two colors, pink and rose for example. daylilies should be spaded or tilled deeply to improve Polychrome — The flower is a blend of many the physical condition. Tilling relieves compaction and colors such as melon, pink, lavender and yellow. underlying hardpans. Both impede drainage. Do not Bitone — The petals and sepals differ in color plant daylilies in poorly drained soils. Where marginal drainage is a problem, elevate beds above ground level. shade and intensity. 2 Planting Time is called a water ring, and it aids in directing water toward the root system when irrigating the plant. If necessary, daylilies can be planted any time of the Water thoroughly after planting and once or twice a year. The best time to plant them is early fall when soil week until well established. temperatures have declined from high summer levels. Cooler soil temperatures favor root growth, encourag- Mulching ing early establishment of plants. Early spring plant- ing is also recommended in Georgia. Mulching is a desirable practice in daylily culture. Daylilies often are bought and transplanted during Mulching aids in water retention during hot summer the flowering period. The advantage of moving dur- weather, maintains cooler soil temperatures, reduces ing flowering is that color selection is possible at this weed competition, and increases water penetration. time. Dig clumps with as many roots as possible. Materials such as pine straw, pine bark, wood chips Handle them carefully to allow as much of the soil as and decomposed leaves provide an effective mulch. A possible to remain around the roots. mulch should be 2 inches deep after settling. Regardless of when daylilies are transplanted, water Watering them routinely to encourage new root growth and early establishment. Transplanted, blooming clumps Daylilies survive temporary dry conditions well due require periodic watering to encourage root growth to the type and extensiveness