Recently I was asked to write about my favorite flower. One favorite? You’re kidding right? I must have two dozen “favorites” but I
thought about what I have a lot of and came up with lilies. All kinds of lilies. Callas, Cana,. Alstroemeria, and Asian lilies. But this assignment is about daylilies so lets get into it.
It all started years ago with my first day lily
It grew rapidly and soon enough I had to dig up, divide, give to friends and toss
away. I found I could just dump it into any empty spot and without even actually
planting it, the darn thing would take hold and continue to grow on. It's the
first to bloom in the late spring and keeps on going on and off all summer and
fall.
Then I started adding more.
While I enjoy day lilies for their beauty I like them
because they are easy for even the most novice gardener. More experienced
gardeners may enjoy the challenge of creating new varieties through
cross-pollination.
They come in enough colors and sizes to suit all tastes. The individual blooms of day
lilies may last only as long as it’s name but they could flower for weeks. Find
an empty spot and stick one in and you will be well rewarded. All they ask for
is a about 6 hours of sun (although I do have a few day lilies doing well in
part shade) and lots of water and you will be rewarded for almost 3 seasons if
you plant enough varieties.
I find the nurseries here on Long Island tend to have
the tried and true varieties so I prefer to catalog shop for these plants.
I have some in large planters such as this one called Pocket Change.
There are many double varieties but I only have one. And look how nicely they mingle with perennials.
They are versatile and easy to care for. Hardy in US Zones 4 – 9.
Removing spent blooms unless you want it to go to seed helps the plant direct more energy into producing flowers and helps maintain a
tidy appearance. Leave the foliage once the flowering is complete to help the plant absorb nutrients and store energy for the next flowering cycle whetherthat’s in a few weeks or in a year.
I have never experienced any disease on my day lilies
but in some areas I have read that rust can be a problem. I have also not
experienced any pests on my lilies but others have had problems with lily
beetles.
The experts recommend transplanting in the spring when
the new shoots begin to appear or after flowering during the summer. I have been
successful in transplanting any time I need to.
CHARLES JOHNSTON
Every so often the day lilies need to be dug up and divided. Spread them to other parts of the garden or share with friends.
This one gets dappled sun in the morning and direct sun in the late afternoon.
This yellow and orange lily is grown in part shade under a miniature Weeping Cherry tree has a very long bloom period and was still going strong in August.
EYE-YI-YI
Most are un-named at this point. Markers are gone so I just enjoy them and try to figure out where I will put the
new ones.
Several day lilies, such as this one, will re-bloom.
As I put this article together I was surprised at how
many lilies I actually have. I don’t know how I managed to fit them all in.
RASPBERRY CANDY
I have more coming soon via mail order: three or four
that I could not resist. One or two will go in containers and the rest will find
a home in the ground. Even if I have to get rid of more grass!
Oh and about the Latin name Hemerocallis: it breaks down to beauty for a
day. Links to my favorite sources:
http://oakesdaylilies.com/ (my very
favorite – huge fans and generous bonuses)
http://www.dutchgardens.com/ http://www.gilberthwild.com/http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/
