Thomas J. Hittle

Landscape Architect, ASLA

ARCHWAY GARDENS

P.O. BOX 83 / 700 GILLESPIE DR.

Manhattan, KS 66505-0083

(785) 539-7772 FAX: (785) 539-6050 E-mail: tjhittle@kansas.net

DAYLILY CULTURE TIPS

(HOW TO GROW DAYLILIES IN THE MIDWEST)

The name Daylily is derived form two words, meaning “beauty”(hemero) and “day”(callis) or “beauty for a day”.

It is considered a fibrous rooted perennial. All of the daylilies at Archway Gardens have been selected for value, hardiness, vigor, color, and performance under Kansas conditions. Although individual blooms last for only one day, there are many buds and scapes on the same plant, producing a bloom season that lasts for many days. Many have a rebloom period, adding to their interest.

GENERAL CONDITIONS:

Daylilies are amazingly tolerant of over watering and under watering. They can be transplanted virtually any time of the year. Full or ½ day sun is ideal for most varieties. Reds, whites, and lavenders often benefit from partial shade (late afternoon). Yellows, oranges, peaches, pinks are usually the most sun tolerant

Each variety has a unique character. They include flowers with “eyes”, “halos”, “doubles”, “spiders”, “polychromes”, “color blends”, “reblooms”, “extended blooms”, “green throats”, “yellow throats”, in infinite diversity. The bloom season can begin as early as mid May and extend into October by using a wide variety of seasonal types.

Newer varieties generally have better petal substance, larger bud count, improved scape branching, and are often more vigorous and better-adapted plants

The daylily seasons are listed as EE=extra early, E=early, M=midseason, ML=mid-late season, L=late season, and VL=very late season. Rebloomers often extend into the late season too.

NEW PLANTINGS:

· If the plants are dry, soak new plants in water (only for a few hours). Do not leave for an extended time. If the plants are fresh, plant immediately.

· Dig a hole 9” wide and 12” deep. Mix in 1/3 compost or humus, 1/3 soil, 1/3 Perlite or vermiculite.

· Space plants 18-30” apart, depending upon variety size.

· Arrange the roots in the hole and backfill.

· CRITICAL: MAKE SURE THE ROOT CROWN IS AT OR SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE SOIL LINE

· Water very well and mulch with 3” of cypress mulch, pine mulch, oak mulch, etc.

· Give 1-2” water each week.

· Fertilize with Fertilome Start-N-Grow slow release fertilizer (18-6-12) or Miracle Grow early in the spring and once after main bloom period is over.

Revised: 2/4/01

File: daylily culture tips.doc