Hemerocallis or otherwise known as Day Lilies are beautiful perennials
that are native to Asia. They are commonly grown garden plants that find
homes in most of the United States. They thrive in USDA Hardiness Zone
4 through 9. They are amazingly easy to grow. They are rugged, widely adapted,
and versatile. Many of their forms are tolerant to almost complete neglect.
There are about 20 species and literally hundreds of varieties that are
available for you. Prices range from $3 to hundreds of dollars. This doesn�t
necessarily mean that the more expensive they are the better quality they
are. It just depends on their rarity. The flower got its name because most
species are very short lived; they often bloom for one day and die. This
sounds sad but not to worry, day lilies produce a new flower the next day
and have a continuous bloom usually from May through September in the north
and 10 months in the south..
Uses:
Day lilies are not only beautiful; they have many uses as well. They grow
so thick that they choke out most weeds in your garden and also hold soil
on steep slopes. They are great planted on banks, roadsides, or along waterways.
In some countries around the world day lilies are cultivated as food crops.
Such places are Japan and China. All parts of the plant are edible although
the flowers are most often used. Day lilies also serve a good purpose in
the medical field, the juice from the roots serves as an antidote for arsenic
poisoning, and there has also been stories past on that the roots may have
some use in the treatment of cancer.
How to select for the region you live in:
Day lilies are separated into three groups: Deciduous, semi-evergreen,
and evergreen. Deciduous kinds are dormant in frosty weather, well suited
for zones 3 through 8. They depend on the cold weather to stimulate vigorous
spring growth. Evergreens can tolerate the frost and can grow all winter
in milder conditions, well suited for zones 6 through 9. And semi-evergreen
is somewhere between the other two, these types are well suited for zones
4 and 5. Note that you should avoid deciduous day lilies south of zone
8, and avoid evergreen day lilies north of zone 7. To find out which zone
you live in check out the website: www.garden.org
Cultivation
Hemerocallis enjoys full sun or partial shade. In full sun, as in 6 hours
or more daily, they will flower more freely. In partial shade you can expect
longer-lived flowers. Most any soil adequately supplied with plant food
will produce great looking plants. Though, they are the happiest in soil
that is rich and moist that is neutral or slightly acidic. They search
deep for their food so two feet deep is not to deep to prepare the soil.
Group at least three clumps of the same variety together to get a natural
look. Space plants 18-24 inches apart. Day lilies should also be planted
at the same height as they grew the season before. September is the preferred
planting time in most of the United States. Some species start growing
in the fall and actually have about an inch of growth by January. Since
daylilies multiply by forming new shoots from the roots, dividing is an
easy, cheap, way to form new plants. According to the website www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/daylily.html
, late winter to early spring is the best time of year to do the dividing.
For best results they should be lifted and divided every third year. Your
plants will decrease flowering if you don�t. The best way to do this is
dig up the tight clump it forms break off the new shoots that have roots
attached and pot them up in order to save them from slugs until they grow
strong, or plant them right out in your garden. They are best mixed with
other perennials and shrubs.
