Frequently Asked Questions
Growing advice straight from our gardens. Something we didn’t cover? Ask us directly.
What are daylilies?+
Daylilies are flowering plants in the genus Hemerocallis known for beautiful blooms that typically last one day — "beauty for a day, the flower that lasts a day." Each scape carries numerous buds, giving a long bloom season. Tip: enjoy daylily blooms for months by planting early bloomers with mid and late season bloomers, and remember many daylilies rebloom, extending your season further. Daylilies are beautiful, rugged, adaptable, vigorous perennials — some say the perfect perennial: nearly carefree, pest and disease resistant, tough, gorgeous in bloom and drought tolerant once established.
How do I plant daylilies?+
Dig a hole deep and wide enough for the roots to be spread out. The crown of the plant (where the roots and the fans meet) should be buried about 1 inch — no deeper. Fill the hole, lightly packing soil around the roots and plant, then water to saturate the soil. Space plants about 2 feet apart.
How often do I water?+
Water every few days for the first two weeks after planting. After that, daylilies prefer about 1 inch of rainfall or watering weekly, especially during the growing season.
How much sunlight do daylilies need?+
Plant daylilies in full sun, or partial shade as long as they get 4–6 hours of sun daily.
Do I need to fertilize my daylilies?+
Daylilies don't require fertilizer as long as the soil is reasonably fertile. To encourage a stronger bloom, apply 10-10-10 granular fertilizer in early spring — we just circle the clumps lightly in the spring.
How do I divide my daylilies?+
Dividing is a great way to increase plants in your garden, but we don't divide until the 3rd–5th year after planting. Early spring, or fall after blooming, is the best time. Dig the plant, remove as much dirt as possible (loosen the root system), and divide into 3 or 4 smaller clumps depending on fan count — keep at least two fans in each new clump. Then plant and care for them as usual.