Growing and Care of Daylilies

Daylilies are the easiest growing perennial plants whose large beautiful flowers enhance the glory of the gardens. They come in a wide range of colours, shapes & sizes. They are well known for their hardiness because the plant can flourish well in a wide variety of soil & climatic conditions with little or no care. The botanical name of Daylily is Hemerocallis. It has obtained its name from Greek ‘Hemere’ meaning day and ‘Kallos’ means beauty i.e. beauty for a day. Most of the flowers open in the morning & die by nightfall, lasting only for a day. Hence the name 'Daylily'. However, each flower stem (scape) of a Daylily plant produces a cluster of flower buds which continue to open in succession and keep the plants bloom for a larger number of days.

Genus: Hemerocallis spp.

Family: Hemerocallidaceae

Previously they were placed in the family Liliaceae but now it is confirmed that they are not true lilies. Its place of origin is Eurasia. Daylilies are native to temperate parts of East Asia chiefly China & Japan.

Daylilies are rhizomatous, clump- forming perennial herbs. Roots are fleshy, tuberous or somewhat fibrous. Leaves are long, basal strap-shaped and looks like grass. They are arranged opposite each other on the crown giving a ‘fan’ like appearance to the plant. They are about 30-60 cms long & one inch wide. Flowers are cup shaped or funnel shaped (like lily), mostly horizontal or oblique. They grow on a leafless stalk called scape which is often branched and bears clusters of flower buds at its top. Scape can be 12-39 inch tall depending on cultivars. Perianth segments are pointed and spreading. The most striking features of the flowers are that they clearly exhibit 3 petals & 3 sepals, together called tepals. Flowers are chiefly orange or shades of orange, yellow, red, pink, rose, purple, maroon & crimson. Lemon daylily (H. flava) is one of the hardiest & best of herbaceous perennials.

They are among the favorite ornamental plants for gardening. They can be grown in pots for outdoor as well as indoor decoration. They are planted in large masses because they grow quickly and form a beautiful dense mat & cover the water side or the sloping areas of gardens. They also help to prevent soil erosion. Colourful varieties are grown with shrubs to give a contrast look at the borders, fences and roadside. Its short lifespan prevents it from being a favourite cut flower.

Daylilies can be cultivated well in a wide range of climate from temperate climate (13-18 degrees celsius) to tropical climate of Asia (20 degrees to 32 degrees celsius). Sunlight exposure for at least six hours is essential for proper bloom of Daylilies. Most plants require long period of full sunlight like the pale and pink-toned cultivars while some need partial shade like dark red and purple cultivars.

Although Daylilies can be grown in a variety of soil types, they usually flourish well in moist soil which is slightly acidic and enriched with organic matter and well drained. Well drained loam is the best. In clay soil, sand must be added in order to loosen it. Daylilies bloom well in the soil having pH 6.0 -7.0but show their best result at pH 6.5. Sulphur, peat can be added to maintain the desired pH level. If Daylilies are grown in too much shade and waterlogged or very dry soil they will produce more foliage and fewer flowers.