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Daylilies
The Hemerocallis Plant

Daylilies are one of the most satisfactory late spring and early summer flowering herbaceous perennials for most Australian gardens. Few plants give so much colour for so little effort.

Botanically, daylilies are called Hemerocallis, from two Greek words meaning “beauty” and “day”. Individual flowers are open for only a day but there are successive flowers on scapes for the blooming season.

There are three types of foliage habit: dormant, evergreen and semi-evergreen. Of these, dormant types are generally not suited to the hot coastal climate.

Flower size may be miniature (blooms under 7.5cm in diameter), small flower (blooms 7.5cm to 11cm in diameter) and large flowers (blooms are 11cm in diameter).

Flower scapes are either low (15cm to 60cm tall), medium (60 to 90 cm tall) or tall (scapes over 90cm high).

The foliage runs from green to blue-green.

The height of the foliage varies from 15cm to 1metre.

Almost all colours of the spectrum are available: yellow (from gold to lemon), orange (brown to flesh), red (maroon to rose-red), pink (rose-red to shrimp), purple (violet to lilac) and near white. There is not a true blue blower.

Location: Full sun or partial shade and well drained, light to heavy soil.

Time to plant: If necessary, daylilies can be divided or planted successfully any month of the year, May and June are preferable, so that plants will become established before the flowering season.

Dividing plants: Vigorous varieties respond to division every four to five years. Usually with large clumps, there is less vigor, fewer and smaller flowers. Separate the clump down to 1 or 2 fans by pulling them apart. Cut back foliage to 15 to 20cm.

Planting: Work soil into a good friable condition to a depth of 30cm. Dig a hole 30cm square and 20cm deep. Form a mound in the centre of the hole with soil. Set the plant on the top of the mound and drape roots around the mound. The point where roots and leaves meet should be no deeper than 2.5cm. cover roots with soil, firm and water.

Mulch: Use pine straw, sawdust, decomposed leaves or grass clippings, wood shavings, spent mushroom compost etc. to conserve moisture and discourage weeds.

Water: Do not let plants wilt. Watering is necessary particularly just before and during the flowering period.

Fertiliser: A low nitrogen fertiliser should be applied in early spring and again when flower scapes begin to appear. A 5-10-15, 6-12-12 or 5-10-10 analysis is good (Q5 and Osmacote are good examples).

Insects: Thrips, aphids and spider mites may be a problem. Use an appropriate systemic insecticide.