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Daylily Garden

Daylily Garden…  A daylily or day lily is a flowering plant in the genus Hemerocallis, a member of the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Hemerocallidoideae, native to Asia. Despite the common name, it is not in fact a lily. Gardening enthusiasts and horticulturists have long bred daylily species for their attractive flowers.


  • ​Common name: Daylily
  • Scientific name: Hemerocallis spp.
  • Family name: Asphodelaceae
  • Origin: East Asia
  • Height: 1 to 1.5 ft
  • Width: Variable – forms clumps
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Zone: USDA Zones 3 through 9
  • Light needs: Full sun to part shade.
  • Salt tolerance: High
  • Soil/pH/Texture: Prefers well-drained, rich, and slightly acidic (pH 6.0 to 6.8) soil.
  • Moisture: Water regularly until established. Once established, water only to keep soil moist, about once or twice a week.
  • Drought tolerance: Moderate
  • Pests/Diseases: Spider mites and crown rot.
  • Growing conditions: Although daylilies can grow in both sun and shade, it is recommended to plant them in full sun for the best growth and blooming results. They tolerate heat and humidity but will need supplemental watering to make sure the soil remains moist. These plants are cold tolerant perennials – in colder climates, their leaves will die back in winter, whereas in Florida and other warm climates, they stay evergreen throughout the year.
  • Characteristics: As they are not true lilies, Daylilies grow from stocky, thick roots rather than from bulbs. The long, slender, grass-like leaves grow from a single point from the base of the plant. These leaves are linear with parallel venation and often droop along the top half of the blade. Flowers grow on peduncles which grow from the base of the plant and have three or four pedicels which each bear a single flower. Flowers vary depending on the variety, but all are somewhat bell-shaped with six ovate petals, and usually only last a day. Flower colors may be yellow, orange, purple, pink, white, blue, or any combination of those colors. Fruits are small, green capsules which contain several seeds. However, some cultivars are sterile and will not produce seeds.
  • Propagation: By clump division.
  • Wildlife: The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
  • Facts: Daylilies are not true lilies, as they grow from roots rather than bulbs and are not in the lily family. There are over 35,000 Daylily cultivars, which vary wildly in appearance and cultivation. Daylilies are highly toxic to cats.
  • Designer considerations: This showy, clumping plant is perfect for all types of gardens, especially pollinator gardens. Since Daylilies have a short blooming period, make sure to plant them next to other flowers that will be blooming while the Daylilies are dormant.