Caring for Daylilies: A Comprehensive Guide

Daylilies, known for their vibrant colors and long blooming periods, require a bit of care to thrive in your garden. This guide covers the essentials of planting and maintaining your lilies to ensure they remain healthy and beautiful year after year.

Part 1: Planting Lilies

1. Choosing the Right Spot

To ensure that your daylilies grow to their best potential, it is crucial to choose a spot in your garden with good drainage and plenty of sunlight. Lilies thrive in well-drained planting mediums such as sand or other porous soils. Look for a spot that dries out quickly after a downpour. If no suitable spot is found, a sloped area can be used to promote drainage.

2. Planting the Bulbs

Plant your lily bulbs as soon as you receive them; the sooner the better for optimal performance. If immediate planting is not possible, store them in a cold, dark place like your refrigerator, making sure the temperature remains above freezing. Bulbs should be planted in either the fall or early winter for spring blooms, or early spring for later blooms.

3. Digging the Hole

Lilies love sunshine, but their bulbs prefer a cool and stable environment during summer heat. Dig holes approximately 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 cm) deep, with a depth of 2 to 3 times that of the bulb. Position the bulb with the pointed end facing upwards, ensuring it is properly buried. An alternative is to plant in a raised bed, where the bulbs are at ground level with 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) of soil covering them, for enhanced drainage.

4. Proper Spacing and Mulching

Ensure that there is sufficient space for each lily, making sure they are spaced about a 6-inch radius apart. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole, sprinkle in some bone meal, and then carefully place the lily bulb. Cover with soil and water immediately to initiate root contact and encourage growth.

5. Mulching for Protection and Fertility

Mulches such as compost, rotted manure, or longer-lasting materials like wood chips or cacao shells can help maintain soil temperature and moisture. Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to protect shoots during cold weather.

Part 2: Caring for Your Lilies

1. Fertilization Schedule

Once new shoots appear, begin fertilizing with a balanced fertilizer. High-potassium liquid fertilizers are ideal, applied every two weeks from early spring until six weeks after flowering. For best results, fertilize when shoots first appear and again about a month later.

2. Watering Needs

Lilies generally need little watering, but they can flourish in hot, dry climates if provided with enough water until flowering. Asiatic, Trumpet, and Orienpet lilies thrive in these conditions, while Orientals require more summer watering due to their August blossoming.

3. Protecting from Frost

During winter, cover the lily bed with straw or evergreen boughs to protect the bulbs from freezing. This precaution is especially important for trumpet lilies, which are more prone to frost damage.

4. Pruning for Healthy Growth

During the flowering season, trim spent blooms while leaving at least two-thirds of the stem intact. This practice encourages the plant to remain strong and healthy for years to come.

In conclusion, by following these steps, you can ensure that your daylilies not only survive but thrive in your garden, providing you with years of enjoyment and beauty.