The author of the text is Katarzyna Pruchniewicz
Currently, about 30 species of daylily are known. The most popular garden daylily was created as a result of the repeated crossing of several species with each other, such as the rusty, yellow, smaller, garden, lemon, Dumortier, Midendorf and Thunberg daylily.
Big flowers, lots of colors
The garden lily is a long-lived perennial that, under favorable conditions, can successfully grow in one place for up to 20-30 years.It is a frost-resistant plant and even in our conditions it does not require covering the ground in which it grows for the winter. It grows up to 80 centimeters. The tallest registered daylily is the 'Berlin Tallbox' variety - 182 centimeters high.
The flowers of the garden daylily are large, resembling the cups of lily flowers. They come in colors from white, through various shades of yellow, orange, red, to maroon and purple.Many varieties are two- or three-color in contrasting colors with a different border, ring or eye.Edges of flower petals in the form of frills, fringes make the plant even more attractive.
The varieties with very large flower cups are 'Long Tall Sally' with a flower diameter of up to 40 centimeters, 'Rouge and Curls', 'Ice Breaker'. The flowers grow on a leafless stalk. Up to several dozen flowers can grow on one stem. Daylilies are not suitable for cut flowers, because after cutting their calyxes close.
The plant forms a green clump with long, even, overhanging leaves that grows from year to year.Depending on the variety, they bloom from June to September.In the USA, in the milder climate of California and Florida, varieties belonging to the Evergreen group were bred, which keep their green leaves all year round.In Poland, in the south-western areas, these plants are able to overwinter after sheltering clumps for the winter.
Growth and care for daylilies
Like most plants, daylilies grow, bloom and thrive better in fertile soils with sufficient moisture.Particularly suitable for semi-shaded locations, but they also work well in different conditions.Planted in the shade, they will have beautiful leaves, but will bloom less profusely.
When planted in a sunny position, there will be more flowers, but the leaves will not look their best as they will quickly lose their turgor. In the sun, the clumps should be watered intensively, remembering to water the soil, not the entire plant.Daylilies tolerate water shortage well, because they have an extensive and deep root system.
They do not require special care.During the season, double or triple fertilization with compound fertilizer is enough: in spring with fertilizer with higher nitrogen content, in late summer with fertilizer with higher potassium and phosphorus content.
These elements will increase frost resistance and contribute to a more profuse flowering next year.Daylilies are resistant to diseases and pests. They can be reproduced very easily by dividing the clumps into 2-3 parts.This procedure will be most effective when it is carried out in September.
Where in the garden?
Daylilies, due to their low habitat requirements, can be used in many garden variants.They blend well with other moisture-loving plants, even on the shores of water reservoirs, but in non-flooded areas.Due to their rapid growth, daylilies can be planted in homogeneous groups, 2-3 pieces per 1 m².
The discounts go well with, among others with iris, hemlocks, hostas, lungwort, tawułkami. Miniature varieties such as 'Mini Stella' will thrive in pots or containers that can be used to decorate a terrace or balcony.You can also create mobile gardens by placing flowerpots with blooming daylilies on the bed in a place that looks less impressive in a given period.
