flowers on each stem provide a three week
period of bloom for most cultivars. There are nearly 60,000 different
daylily cultivars that range in color from near white through yellow, orange,
and red, to brown and violet. These tough perennials have a reputation for
low maintenance and require little in the way of special care. Daylilies
are very adaptable and can be grown in almost any soil in every corner of the
country. They bloom best if given full sun, and they produce more flowers
if they are divided periodically. Division is also a great way to expand your
planting and share plants with gardening friends. Late summer is the best
time to divide your daylilies. Their roots will have time to grow before
winter comes if this task is completed in early September. Below you'll find
step-by-step instructions for dividing daylilies.
This large, mature clump of daylilies is in need of renovation to
improve its vigor. The center of the clump has thin foliage and fewer
flower stalks with less flowers. Daylilies are very hardy and can be
divided early spring through mid fall. The best time to divide daylilies is
shortly after they have finished flowering in late summer to early
fall.
Prepare the
area by raking the mulch away from the plant. Give yourself enough room
to work around the clump.
It is easiest and most effective to use a garden
fork to lift the clump from the ground. Start by placing the fork in the
ground 6 to 12 inches away from the base of the plant. Gently push down on the
handle to pry the clump up and out of the soil. Work around the root ball
repeating this process until the roots are freed.
The root ball with soil can be lifted from the hole.
Inspection of the clump at this point will generally reveal weak
or thin areas at the center of the clump. Plunge two garden forks, placed back
to back, into the clump. After the forks are fully inserted, gently push the
handles apart. This will cause the roots to separate, forming two smaller
clumps. If you are dealing with a really large clump or want more
divisions, you can repeat this process on the divisions you have just made.
If you simply want to renew your daylilies, you can plant large
divisions such as this.
Dig a wide shallow hole. The depth should be slightly less
than the height of the rootball. The width of the hole should be 6 to 9 inches
greater than the width of the rootball.
Place the rootball in the hole and backfill with soil.
Lightly tamp the soil into place. Apply mulch to a depth of one inch to
discourage weeds and protect the roots from drying out and from temperature
extremes. The area should be watered thoroughly. As a finishing touch, the
foliage may be cut back to a length of about 12" which helps the plant retain
moisture while it is getting established.
If you want to fill a larger spot in the perennial
border more quickly, you can plant a group of these smaller divisions in one
planting hole.
Make three mounds of soil in the large planting hole to
accomodate the three divisions.
Fan the roots out over the mounds of soil that you have
created.
Backfill with soil and tamp it gently around the roots.
Mulch with an inch-thick layer of mulch and water thoroughly.
Your newly divided daylilies will reward you with extra bloom
for years to come. Most daylily varieties may be left untouched for a
period of four or five years before they need to be divided again.
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