Gentle Shepherd Daylily

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

2-3 Feet

Mature Spread

1-2 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 9

The large white blooms of Gentle Shepherd make it one of the most popular daylilies to grow. Flowering from early to mid-summer, it produces elegant white blooms with a yellow center, which contrast beautifully against its green foliage. Easy to care for, this daylily remains compact at 2 to 3 feet high.

Semi-evergreen, the Gentle Shepherd Daylily is suitable for growing in zones 3 to 9. It is low maintenance and forms clumps that can be divided. Native to parts of Asia, Gentle Shepherd Daylily has a touch of the exotic and is ideal for planting in a border or in an urban garden. Heat tolerant once established, the rabbits usually leave this daylily alone. 

Gentle Shepherd Daylily Care

Planting in full sun or slight shade will help ensure that the Gentle Shepherd Daylily flowers for weeks on end. It can tolerate most soils, but prefers a fertile and free-draining soil that is kept moist. Once established, the Gentle Shepherd Daylily is drought tolerant. However, regular irrigation is required after planting and when the buds and flowers appear. Fertilizing daylilies is not essential. Nevertheless, to maintain plant health and encourage more blooms, you can apply a balanced fertilizer in spring or early summer. 

Regular deadheading as the flowers fade will help promote more blooms. Plants can be divided every 3 to 4 years in the spring.

Gentle Shepherd Daylily Spacing

Over time, the Gentle Shepherd Daylily can grow to 2 - 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet across. When growing this daylily as part of a group, space each plant 18 to 24 inches apart.