Some specialist plant growers focus all their attention on day lilies and, of course, it’s not the old orange-flowered varieties from yesteryear. Instead, these experts cultivate them in every colour of the rainbow, and sometimes with quite a few colours in a single flower. Some hybrids are evergreen, some deciduous, some are large plants and others dwarfs. Despite the fact that the individual flowers last only for one day, the day lily is unlikely to fall out of favour because a single plant that is kept happy in perfect growing conditions will produce as many as fifty flowers in one season.

When do they bloom?

Day lilies provide colour from October to May.

 

Most suitable climate

The deciduous types are ideal for colder climates, while the evergreens are just perfect for warmer climates. The onus is on you to ask the nurseryman about the plants so that you can select the correct hybrid.

 

What they need

Location: full sun, or at least five hours of full sun per day. Dark-flowered hybrids are best planted where they get morning sun and afternoon shade, otherwise the flowers fade.
Soil: any soil type is fine, but for the best results enrich it with compost and bone meal.
Water: medium, but water more often as soon as the first flower stems appear.
Fertilizing: feed with potassium-enriched fertilizer in spring, midsummer and autumn.

 

Good to know

Day lilies must be planted at the correct depth, which is 2 cm below soil level. Plant the crown (the rhizome from which the leaves sprout) exactly level with the top of the planting hole and then water well. This will cause the soil in the hole to settle slightly, at which point the crown should be at the ideal height.

 

In a nutshell

* Plant en masse.
* Divide overgrown clumps in autumn.
* Medium water consumption.
* Bloom prolifically from October to May.