In my early days of perennial gardening, I didn’t understand the mystique of Daylilies, which appears to be an evident and repeated pattern in my gardening journey.
“Really”, I would ask, “Why would I grow a plant that has flowers that just last a day??”
Now that I’ve matured, I absolutely love Daylilies, as few flowers can rival the effortless beauty and resilience of Daylilies. These hardy, low-maintenance perennials are among the best flowers for full sun and are ideal for growing zones 3 through 9.
This blog will dig into the origins of Daylilies, the differences between bulb Lilies and Daylilies, Daylily characteristics, how to incorporate Daylilies into your gardening space, and how to care for Daylilies so they thrive year after year.
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Getting to Know Daylilies
Daylilies, with their kaleidoscopic colours, graceful form, and remarkable adaptability, are perennials that thrive in plant growing zones 3-9 and have earned a cherished place in gardens worldwide.
Their botanical name, Hemerocallis, comes from the Greek words hemera (day) and kallos (beauty), meaning “beautiful for a day.” This fleeting charm is part of what makes Daylilies so inspiring. This unique beauty is what makes Daylilies so inspiring and worthy of appreciation.
Each bloom opens at dawn and fades by dusk, only to be replaced by a new bud the next day. Despite the fleeting nature of each individual flower, mature clumps can produce profuse scapes with multiple buds on each, ensuring 3-4 weeks of continuous colour during the blooming season, thereby erasing the fact that individual blossoms fade so quickly.
Daylilies have arching, easy-care grass-like foliage that provides an uncomplicated backdrop for the vibrant flowers.
Daylilies hybridize easily, and there are varieties sporting almost every imaginable hue and combination of colours, from fiery oranges and sunny yellows to romantic pinks, rich reds, bold purples, and subtle creamy whites.
Related: The Best Annuals & Perennials for Zone 3-4 Pollinator Gardens
Daylilies are Categorized in By:
- Plant Height – some Daylilies are short, reaching heights of 60 cm (2′), while others can reach up to 120 cm (4′).
- Flowering Period – there are early, mid, and late season bloomers, with most Hemerocallis flowering in the summer months.
- Flowering Habit – some Daylily varieties bloom once, others rebloom, and some are continuous bloomers once they get started.
- Flower Shape – most Daylilies boast a trumpet shape, they can be single or double flowered, and the petals vary from thin, smooth, and spidery to thick and heavily ruffled.
- Flower Fragrance – some Daylilies are fragrant, others are not. Some of the most fragrant daylilies are nocturnal, attracting nighttime pollinators.
- Flower Colour – with tens of thousands of Daylily varieties, colour options are dizzying. Some have striking ‘eye zones’, which are contrasting, darker-coloured areas on the flower petals near the flower’s throat; others have beautifully shaded throats.
What’s the Difference Between Daylilies and True Lilies?
Despite their name, Daylilies are not true Lilies. They belong to the Hemerocallis genus, while true Lilies fall under the Lilium family.
The key differences between Daylilies and true Lilies lie in the fact that they come from differences in botanical families, growth patterns, bloom duration, and root types.
Lilium Lilies grow from bulbs, develop a main stem from which individual lance-shaped leaves grow all the way up.
The flowers of true Lilies bloom in a cluster at the top of the stem and last significantly longer than a Daylily flower, and make excellent cut flowers.
To get the most out of Lilium cut flowers, harvest them early in the morning and cut the stem when the flower buds at the bottom of the cluster have coloured but haven’t yet opened.
Examples of true lilies include Asiatic, Oriental, Longiflorum, Stargazer, LA Hybrids, Easter, Tiger, and Martagon.
Daylilies (Hemerocallis), on the other hand, grow from fleshy roots and feature grass-like foliage. Their flowers bloom on leafless stems called scapes and last just one day, though with proper care, new daylily buds appear continuously through the bloom period.
Daylily flowers grow in clumps on bare stems that also emerge from the fleshy roots, and the flowers last a day. These are not the flowers that you would feature in a cut flower vase.
Few pests bother Daylilies, which is an advantage over bulb Lilies, which have been plagued by scarlet lily beetles over the last few years.
Related: How to Get Rid of Scarlet Lily Beetles
Where to Use Daylilies in Your Garden
Daylilies are loved by gardeners around the world for their vibrant colours, hardiness, and versatility. Despite the brevity of each bloom, their abundant clusters ensure a profusion of flowers.
But Daylilies are more than just garden ornaments; they offer a multitude of uses in both practical and creative garden design.
Their versatility allows you to experiment with different garden designs and create a space that is uniquely yours, empowering you to be innovative in your gardening endeavours.
Because of their ease of care, Daylilies make great starter plants for beginning gardeners.
To maximize colour in the garden, choose Daylilies with varying flowering times. Daylilies are available in late spring, early, mid, and late summer blooming varieties.
Daylilies can be used as accent or focal plants, they make stunning border and edging plants, and they can be planted in mass for dramatic colour.
Daylilies can help mitigate garden slope erosion, enhance pollinator gardens, serve as companion plants in mixed borders, are safe for use in children’s gardens, and contribute to garden interest during the winter.
The Best Location for Growing Daylilies
Daylilies are renowned for their resilience, adaptability, and ease of care. Their low-maintenance nature allows even the most novice gardener to feel at ease and confident in their gardening skills, knowing that these perennials will thrive with minimal effort.
Daylilies grow best in areas of direct, full sun with 6-8 hours or more of daily sunlight.
Daylilies are remarkably drought-tolerant, and once they are well-established, after about three years.
Daylilies adapt well to various soil types, although well-drained, slightly acidic soil is ideal for optimal growth.
They can also handle moderately windy conditions.
Gardeners value Daylilies for their ability to naturalize, forming dense clumps that suppress weeds and prevent soil erosion—and they are an excellent choice for slopes and low-maintenance landscapes.
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How to Care for Daylilies
Daylilies are hardy, easy-care perennials that reward gardeners with vibrant blooms throughout the summer. To give your daylilies the best chance at thriving in your garden, keep in mind some of our best daylily care tips.
To ensure these perennials thrive, plant them in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter.
When planting, space them about 45-60 cm (18 to 24″) apart to allow for air circulation and future growth.
While Daylilies bloom best in full sun—aim for at least six hours of sunlight daily.
Water newly planted and young Daylily plants regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Once established, they are drought-tolerant but still appreciate occasional deep watering during particularly hot, dry spells.
Mulch helps to retain moisture and suppress weeds. In regions with harsh winters, this protective layer of mulch also safeguards roots from extreme cold.
Related: What is Mulch? Making Garden Magic with Mulch
Remove faded Daylily blooms (deadheading) to encourage continuous flowering and prevent seed production, which can sap the plant’s energy.
Related: How to Deadhead Daylilies
Every three to five years, divide clumps if overcrowded, either after flowering in the fall or in early spring, to rejuvenate the plants and maintain vigour.
Daylilies rarely suffer from serious pests or diseases, making them a low-maintenance and rewarding addition to any garden. Watch for pests like aphids, thrips, Daylily gall midge and treat as necessary.
With a bit of consistent attention, your Daylilies will flourish year after year!
Conclusion
Whether admired as a gardener’s delight or enjoyed for their fleeting, day-long beauty, Daylilies epitomize the magic of nature’s cycles—an invitation to appreciate each moment’s splendor.
With minimal care, they reward us with vibrant colour, form, and endurance, making them a perennial favourite in gardens near and far.
More to Explore
- 10+ Amazing Annual and Perennial Flowers to Grow in Full Sun
- 5+ Ways to Create a Thriving Pollinator Garden
- The Best Annual & Perennial Flowers for Your Zone 3-4 Pollinator Garden [+Free Pollinator Reference Chart]
- How to Divide Perennials Successfully
- When is the Best Time to Move Perennial Flowers?
- A Step by Step Guide to Successfully Moving Perennials
- The Best Smelling Flowers to Grow in Your Garden
© Sharon Wallish Murphy © Gardening with Sharon
