By Tiffany Whichard
As someone who manages gardens for a living, I am frequently asked about low-maintenance plants that attract pollinators. Daylilies are one of the first flowers that come to mind. These rugged, versatile perennials are perfect for gardeners who are short on time.
Not only do they provide vibrant color, but their carefree blooms are rarely bothered by pests or disease (deer being the exception). I refer to these types of plants as ‘set-it-and-forget-it,’ because much like a crockpot, once they are put in, you can practically walk away from them.
As far as flowers go, daylilies become established quickly. They are also tolerant of both drought or wet feet and help with erosion control. This makes them perfect for planting near streams or ponds and along steep slopes where mowing may be more treacherous.
Of course, you can tuck them into flower beds too. Dwarf cultivars — those with stalks 6 to 18″ tall — are even perfect for large, deep containers. Should you have hard, linear lines in your landscape, the lush, strappy foliage of these flowers goes a long way toward softening the edges of buildings, paths, and fences. My one caveat is that cat owners should be cautious as they can be toxic to our feline friends.
Interested in learning more about these garden standouts? Read on…
First, the botanical name of these lovelies is Hemerocallis. Like many other scientific monikers, it’s descriptive. The Greek translates to ‘day’ (hemera) and ‘beauty’ (kallos). Basically, each bloom lasts only one day before withering later that night.
In addition to picking colors and heights, you may want to mix varieties. This is a great way to extend the color in your landscape. You can select different designations. They include: Very Early, Early, Early Midseason, Late Midseason or Late cultivars.
This, of course, refers to the time at which they bloom. In addition, keep an eye out for those marked as rebloomers. But don’t worry if you don’t want to fuss with finding descriptions; just choose the picture that most appeals to you. You honestly can’t go wrong!
When selecting a site to grow them, know that daylilies are most productive when they have at least 6 hours of direct sun. Although highly adaptable, they like slightly acidic, moist plots. It’s a good idea to add in some compost or aged manure (like Black Kow) to the bed prior to planting. If you feel up to it, you can also work in a balanced, slow-release fertilizer too.
So, when should you plant them? Well, it’s best to install daylilies in early Spring or early Fall. Till the area, if you can, first. Then, you’d make a planting hole deep enough that the crown of the plant (where the root meets the stem) is approximately 1″ below the soil line. Splay the roots out as you go. They’ll create a dense mass within a few years, so the spacing between them needs to be at least 1.5 feet. After planting, you’d backfill the hole, tamping the area firmly down before watering.
As I said, maintenance with these guys is minimal. Water them regularly until they take root and begin to grow. Then give supplemental water as needed. If you are able to remove spent flowers as they fade, it will help produce more flowers. The following Spring, add additional cow manure to give them a boost. After that, you won’t need to do much. Dividing clumps every 3-5 years will promote continued flowering.
Now let’s talk about the fun stuff, garden design!
Daylilies make a great complement to taller Tiger lilies, dense mounds of hostas, and compact ornamental grasses. You can play with colors using mustard-yellow daylilies, tall spires of purple salvia, and a fragrant, lemony evening primrose. Punch that up with another, taller crimson or brick-colored bloom for a spectacular display.
Finally, if you want something more muted, you may wish to look at elegant plumes of white astilbes, blush or lavender-colored lilies, variegated hostas and a sweet, dainty flower like dwarf cranesbill.
With very little care, these charming perennials will reward you for years to come!
Tiffany Whichard is a third-generation Master Gardener and the Program Administrator for Plant a Row for the Hungry in Johnston County. She also serves as Executive Director of the nonprofit Harvesting Hope North Carolina. Her specialties include organic gardening, small-space growing methods, dwarf vegetable cultivars and Integrated Pest Management.
