“Daylilies are so spectacular with their colourful blooms that they can light up a garden without too much effort. But, did you know that they are toxic if ingested by cats or dogs? So, be aware of their dangers if you have pets,” warns flower lover Gloria Jean Rozario.
According to a gardening website, Daylilies belong to the genus Hemerocallis and are not true lilies. This Greek word is made up of two parts -- hemera – which mean day and kallos, which means beauty. The name is appropriate, since every flower lasts only one day.
Daylilies typically grow one to four feet in height and produce numerous flower buds, which are showy over a long period of time. That is why they are among most gardeners’ favourites. Rugged, and unfussy, they are vigorous perennials that endure many seasons in a garden for years with little or no care. Daylilies adapt to a wide range of soil and light conditions. The flowers come in many colours, shades, and colour combinations. Some are full and round, others have wide petals with ruffled edges and borders. Then there are those that come in spidery shapes.
Neela Monteiro says, “They are just so beautiful, they make the place more charming and pretty. I can just imagine sitting in a garden with daylilies around me, and never having to leave it. Beautiful, well-kept gardens remind me of my childhood.”
The flowers of most species bloom early in the morning and wither away during the following night. They are not commonly used as cut flowers for arrangements, yet, they make good cut flowers since new flowers continue to open, on cut stems over several days.
“Each plant produces an abundance of flower buds that open over a long period of time. There are many varieties and the flowers continue to bloom even during the heat of summer,” observes Andrew, who has a plethora of yellow daylilies in his garden. They grow best in full sun, with a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight. Although, they are adaptable to most soils, they grow best in a moist soil that is high in organic matter (compost). For a great look in your garden, plant your daylilies in groups of the same variety. Darker-coloured daylilies, like those with deep red or purple flowers, may begin looking wilted if planted in full sun as the darker colours absorb more heat.
These plants grow vigorously and can be divided every three to four years. Gently remove the plant from the soil with a trowel and split into fist-sized root bunches to replant and voila! you have a new bunch growing all over again.
