Daylilies as mainstays in the garden

For those people who think that they can get nothing to grow in their garden, daylilies can definitely be the answer. These hardy perennials are drought-tolerant and require very little care. Daylilies are one of those plants that like their "heads in the sun and feet in the shade." This means that you should plant them where they can get as much sun during the day as possible -- up to 12 hours. (They will grow in partial shade; however, they will not bloom as well.) Once you have planted them, apply a good layer of mulch -- about 3 inches -- to keep their roots cool. During the hot summer months, set your sprinkler and water for about 20 minutes once a week. Shallow sprays with the hose are actually the worse thing you can do for perennials, which send their roots deep. Shallow frequent sprays only encourages them to develop shallow roots, which will cause your perennials to be less hardy. Less frequent, deep waterings encourage the proper root development (deep) and will make your daylilies and other perennials much happier.

Most people are very familiar with the golden-yellow 'Stella d'Oro' daylily, a short rebloomer. There are, however, literally thousands of different kinds and colors of daylilies. I would recommend that you not limit yourself to the common 'Stella d'Oro' and/or to the ever-popular 'Orange Tawny,' commonly referred to as a "ditch lily" due to its propensity to grow wild in ditches on the sides of roads. Daylilies come in almost every color under the rainbow and in all sizes. You can find various types online, for example at Amazon.com. There are also numerous daylily growers, who offer various cultivars in a wide variety of colors. In addition, you can shop your local Home Depot and/or Lowe's or any other major gardening center for daylilies. I would recommend, though, if you are interested in finding something different, that you check out daylily farms in your area. You might be surprised at the selection. In addition, you can also find better prices. Daylilies can range in price from about three dollars per fan into the thousands of dollars per fan. (You read that correctly -- thousands!) Many of the cultivars that you find at such local daylily farms may not be named or registered; however, that will not detract from the beauty that they will bring to your garden. I have found some great daylilies at local growers over the years.

Large Spider Daylily

A woman who I met while taking the Tennessee Master Gardener course had started hybridizing her own daylilies. I visited her farm, which is on the top of a mountain in Northeast Tennessee. I could not resist buying some of her daylilies, of course. I purchased this large spider daylily that was not in bloom at the time. She had a picture, and I liked the deep burgundy/purple color and yellow throat. (Note: Do not be afraid to purchase a daylily from just a picture. The color may be a little different when it blooms in your garden, but most photos are pretty true to the actual plant.  In fact, if you want blooms in the same season in which you have purchased your daylily, buy it when it is not in bloom.) This daylily shoots up stalks that are easily 5-6-feet tall with monstrous blooms -- about 12 inches or larger. They are huge! Cost: $15.00.

Miniature

I also purchased a miniature daylily from my friend on the mountain.  More and more of these little beauties are showing up these days.  Mine will get to be about 3-feet-tall or a little taller.  The blooms, however, are about the size of a silver dollar.  Too cute!   Cost:  $5.00.

'Stella Supreme'

While I refuse to allow a 'Stella d'Oro' into my yard -- simply because everyone and their mother has them -- I could not resist the 'Stella Supreme.' I found this one at Home Depot. It is a much lighter, clearer yellow than the 'd'Oro.' It is a rebloomer, just like the 'd'Oro.' (To encourage reblooming, simply cut out the dead stalks after all the flowers on it are spent. You can usually then have daylilies for almost the entire season.) What really drew me to the 'Stella Supreme,' however, was its scent. (Yes, some daylilies are fragrant.) It smells somewhat like honeysuckle. Cost: $5.00.

Double Purple Ruffled

This daylily blew me away when it bloomed. I bought it at our local farmers market when it was not in bloom. The grower just described it to me, and I thought that it sounded pretty. (He had, by the way, hybridized this one himself.) It grows to be maybe 2-feet tall. The blooms are about 6 inches and are a gorgeous shade of purple. Of course, it is a double with ruffled petals. I have never seen a daylily like it anywhere else. Cost: $3.00.

If you decide to start growing daylilies, you might become hooked on them, as I have. (I literally have hundreds growing everywhere.) Daylilies need to be divided about every 3-4 years or whenever they are not blooming as profusely as they once were. I know gardeners who will not divide them until the fall; however, you can divide your daylilies at any time during the year -- even when they are in full bloom. If you decide to fertilize, do so at the beginning of the season using a time-released balanced fertilizer. (I use Miracle Gro Shake 'n Feed All Purpose Plant Food.) You really do not, however, have to feed your daylilies often. Just once a year is usually fine. At the end of the season, simply cut the foliage back to the ground and mulch. These are truly easy-care, easy-grow plants.