Wild day lilies originated in Asia. In the 1930s, hybridized day lilies began appearing in North America. These hardy hybrids produce a brilliant display of patterns and colors.
Day lilies are not true lilies, but belong to the genus Hemerocallis. This Greek word is made up of two parts: hemera meaning day and kallos meaning beauty.
The flower is called a day lily because individual blooms last for only one day. But the plant flowers profusely and blooms from early spring until frost. Planting early, mid-season and late blooming day lilies will produce flowers all season long.
Plant day lilies in full sun or partial shade. They will bloom in perennial garden beds with as little as four hours of full sun a day. Darker colored day lilies adapt better to shade conditions than the lighter colors. It’s easy to spot plants that need more sun. The plants will become spindly and leggy.
Growing day lilies or moving established plants to a new location requires only well drained, fertilized soil. Dig a hole about six inches deep. Set the bulbs in six inches deep and six to eight inches apart. Water and cover well with composted soil, then wait for the first sprouts to appear.
Water newly planted day lilies often during the first season. Day lilies will grow roots sooner if the plants are kept well hydrated. After the plants have become established the fleshy bulbs retain water well and require less moisture.
Vigorous growing day lilies may require dividing every four or five year. Propagate by dividing the bulbs in late summer or fall.
Plant day lily bulbs in groups of six to eight bulbs to produces a more brilliant display of color. Also pay attention to the sizes of the plants. Taller day lilies should be planted at the back of a flowerbed with smaller bulbs edging the border.
Some day lilies varieties can reach a height of three feet and grow twenty-four or more inches in diameter. Other varieties grow only six inches in height. For free standing flowerbeds plant tall, day lily plants in the center with smaller ones cascading to the edge.
According to Better Homes and Gardens, New Garden Book, day lily flowers come in a mind-boggling variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Flowers may be circular, star-shaped, ruffled, flat, triangular, or trumpet shaped, and the color range covers almost every shade of yellow, orange, purple, pink and red imaginable.
Some varieties have bi- or tri-colored flowers, and others have flowers with spots, striping, colored tips, or bands of contrasting color. Some varieties produce flowers that are very fragrant.
Insect control measures usually are not necessary. Aphids and thrips sometimes feed on the flower buds. These pests can be controlled with insecticidal soaps or a repeated strong spray of water.
In fall leave fading foliage standing to protect the plant from ice and snow. Apply an inch or two of commercial mulch or composting material to the day lily beds and in spring wait for the beauty of these outstanding, perennial plants to re-emerge.
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