Daylilies are a very popular flowering perennial that is easy to grow. Typically gardeners will grow the plants in full sun locations for the beautiful flowers and little care required
A daylily is a flowering plant in the genus Hemerocallis. Hemerocallis are in the Asphodelaceae family, subfamily Hemerocallidoideae. These used to be part of Liliaceae (which includes true lilies). Horticulturalists have bred thousands of different varieties for their beautiful flowers. We have selected the best daylilies that have both gorgeous flowers but are also disease resistant, hardier and easier to grow.
Daylilies are native to Asia, primarily eastern Asia, including China, Korea, and Japan. Some varieties are actually considered invasive in the United States. However, none of the plants we sell are considered invasive. The word Hemerocallis, means "beauty for a day". Which comes from the fact that most daylily blooms open in the morning and die by night. However, the plants have several flower buds, so they typically stay blooming for several weeks during the summer.
Daylily Colors
Daylily flowers come in a huge array of different colors including; Yellow – lemon, gold, to orange. Red – scarlet, carmine, tomato-red, maroon, wine-reds, and blackish-reds. Pink – pale pink through rose-pink to rose-red. Purple – pale lavender & lilac to deep grape or violet. White - cream, near-white, pale melon, light green Other colors include brown, apricot, peach. Virtually every color of flower you can think of will grow as a daylily flower.
The Best Way to Use Daylilies
Daylilies can grow from zones 3 to 9, from Florida to North Dakota. Be sure to plant these in an area with at least 6 hours of sunlight for best flower production and performance. These are hardy plants that need little care, no fertilization, can handle many soil conditions and are disease and pest resistant. These plants do really bloom every year with hardly any attention.
Growing daylilies are typically planted in groups of 3 or 5 in the landscape. These especially look great when paired with small ornamental grasses or evergreen shrubs. These plants also look beautiful in mass plantings next to a fence or walkway as a small garden border. When planted in dense patches, they form a dense weed-proof garden that blooms most of the summer.
Wide range of flower colors
Very low maintenance & care needed
Great in mass plantings
Plant in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunligh)
Growing zones 3 to 9
About Daylilies
Genus
Species
Family
Hemerocallis
80+
Asphodelaceae
Common Names:
Daylily
Native To:
China, Korea, and Japan,parts of North America
Plant Type:
Perennials
Foliage Type:
Herbaceous
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
3 - 9
Flower Color:
Flower Bloom Time:
Late spring to early fall
Growth Habit:
Clumping ,upright
Attracts:
Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and moths
Tolerates:
Drought, Heat, Humidity, Salt
Resists:
Deer, Rabbits, Voles and Moles, Disease, Pest
How To Use Daylilies In The Garden
Daylilies (Hemerocallis) deliver abundant flowers, with one plant able to produce 200 to 400 blooms in a single season. Originating from Asia and Central Europe, numerous varieties have been developed, including some with single and double flowers, or even emitting fragrance. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 with little effort.
Integrate daylilies into perennial borders or plant them en masse to function as a natural, weed-suppressing edge. Additionally, they pair well with spring bulbs like daffodils, offering continuous color from spring to summer. Their ability to grow in full sun to partial shade further enhances their versatility in landscape planning.
Daylilies Care
Daylilies grow best in well-drained, loamy soil with at least six hours of daily sunlight. Keep soil moist during initial growth, and water about an inch weekly once established. Use compost when planting and apply balanced fertilizer in early spring for healthy development.
Remove spent blooms and cut back stems post-flowering to maintain vigor. Mulch in colder climates for winter protection. Potted daylilies need containers with proper drainage and a quality potting mix.
Anything you grow with daylilies needs to like sunlight, and handle over 5 hours of direct sun per day. There are many shrubs, perennials, annuals and grasses that will complement daylilies. Some of our favorite plants to grow with daylilies are coneflowers, phlox, yarrow, butterfly bushes, red hot poker, ornamental grasses and sedum.
