| Winter Hardy Daylily Varieties; Organically Field Grown, Daylilies. Daylilies are plants that ask so very little of the gardener while giving everything we would ever what in a flowering plant! |
"If there were ever a next to perfect garden plant it would have to be the Daylily."
We have put together a collection of the most beautiful, time tested hardy Daylilies for you to consider.
A bit of our history with Daylilies......
We have put together a collection of the most beautiful, time tested hardy Daylilies for you to consider.
A bit of our history with Daylilies......
| I was first introduced to the world of Daylilies by an associate, as keen on Daylilies as we were of our roses, early on in our retail sales. We were so set on promoting our old roses that we didn't really consider promoting the daylilies other than to plant a few in our show gardens. Well, it didn't take too long to see what he was talking about! A year or so later we met a customer who soon became a very close friend and daylily mentor, Barrie Oickle. Well that did it, and now six years later we are growing many different varieties of them in our farm in Pockwock. To sum it up simply, " for an organic gardener, daylilies must have been heaven sent !! |
Daylilies are among the most carefree and easy-to-grow perennials; but just like roses, they will give to you what is given to them.
Good soil, sun, water and some nutrients to thrive on and you will be amazed at their performance. It is also nice to know that if left
alone in the garden, they will still grow, bloom and continue to multiply with little care.
We have learned over the past year that not all daylilies are winter hardy. Last winter, 2006-2007 was a bitter lesson for most of the
daylily growers here in Nova Scotia. We lost many of our evergreens and even some semi-evergreens. We now are even more
selective and attentive to well tested hardiness of the cultivars we grow.
Great performers (most of them have won many prestigious medals), they are all disease and pretty much, insect free.
If you are new to growing Daylilies you can use the information below to help you to get started on the right track. Complete planting
information is included with every order. And always, if you have questions or concerns, please email us and we'll try our best to help.
Daylilies are made for the perennial gardens but also can make very beautiful low hedges. Even when not in bloom their drooping,
lancate leaves lend a lovely accent to the garden. Try not to crowd them too much as a great number of them really do multiply
quickly and you'll soon be overcrowded and competing for water and nutrition!
Good soil, sun, water and some nutrients to thrive on and you will be amazed at their performance. It is also nice to know that if left
alone in the garden, they will still grow, bloom and continue to multiply with little care.
We have learned over the past year that not all daylilies are winter hardy. Last winter, 2006-2007 was a bitter lesson for most of the
daylily growers here in Nova Scotia. We lost many of our evergreens and even some semi-evergreens. We now are even more
selective and attentive to well tested hardiness of the cultivars we grow.
Great performers (most of them have won many prestigious medals), they are all disease and pretty much, insect free.
If you are new to growing Daylilies you can use the information below to help you to get started on the right track. Complete planting
information is included with every order. And always, if you have questions or concerns, please email us and we'll try our best to help.
Daylilies are made for the perennial gardens but also can make very beautiful low hedges. Even when not in bloom their drooping,
lancate leaves lend a lovely accent to the garden. Try not to crowd them too much as a great number of them really do multiply
quickly and you'll soon be overcrowded and competing for water and nutrition!
| How to grow successful Daylilies. |
Where to Plant them:
Sun: Like roses, Daylilies love sun, full sun if possible, but will tolerate shady conditions and still give you a fair amount of blooms.
Remember, sun usually dictates the amount of blooms for any plant. A general rule is to make sure they get at least 6 hours of direct sun
a day.
Darker colored varieties will benefit from partial shade in the hottest part of the day. Doesn't this all sound so familiar to you rose
growers?
\
Soils: Daylilies will grow in a wide range of soils, from sand to heavy clay, and in a wide range of soil pHs. There are steps you can take
to improve your soil, especially if it is predominantly clay or sand. Clay soils can be improved by the addition of gypsum, compost, peat
moss, or manures.
If your soil is sandy you should really consider adding at least one or all of the above as it will help keep water in the soil around the
roots especially in times of drought.
Drainage: Daylilies again as do roses need well-drained soil. if you have a drainage problem the easiest way to correct it is to plant your
Daylilies in raised beds.
Remember, sun usually dictates the amount of blooms for any plant. A general rule is to make sure they get at least 6 hours of direct sun
a day.
Darker colored varieties will benefit from partial shade in the hottest part of the day. Doesn't this all sound so familiar to you rose
growers?
\
Soils: Daylilies will grow in a wide range of soils, from sand to heavy clay, and in a wide range of soil pHs. There are steps you can take
to improve your soil, especially if it is predominantly clay or sand. Clay soils can be improved by the addition of gypsum, compost, peat
moss, or manures.
If your soil is sandy you should really consider adding at least one or all of the above as it will help keep water in the soil around the
roots especially in times of drought.
Drainage: Daylilies again as do roses need well-drained soil. if you have a drainage problem the easiest way to correct it is to plant your
Daylilies in raised beds.
When to Plant
Most Daylilies are shipped bare-root and dormant in spring or in warmer zones, fall. Potted ones can be planted any time but for the
best rooting you should plan early and get them in before the hot, dry summer takes hold. It is really hard to get any plant established
then. Heat stresses plants and stressed plants don't establish well. Plants that are not well established (rooted), will not be as winter hardy
and might heave up out of the ground in winter.
best rooting you should plan early and get them in before the hot, dry summer takes hold. It is really hard to get any plant established
then. Heat stresses plants and stressed plants don't establish well. Plants that are not well established (rooted), will not be as winter hardy
and might heave up out of the ground in winter.
To prepare for your new Daylilies it is much the same as our directions for our roses.
Work your ground in advance, incorporating bone meal for good rooting and lots of organic material such as compost or well-rotted
manure if possible.
manure if possible.
| Caring For Your Daylilies |
Water: Water is essential for good performance. In sufficient quantity, water helps ensure that you get as many blooms and as large
blooms as possible. It is most important that Daylilies get sufficient water in the spring, when plants are in full growth mode., and in
summer when they are blooming. Daylilies can withstand a lot of drought but ultimately as with any plant will suffer because of it.
A general rule is to try and give your Daylilies an inch of water every week - 3 or 4 long waterings to let the water soak in deep.
Fertilizer: Naturally, as we are organic growers, we strongly suggest composts, manures, alfalfa pellets, or our own fertilizer "Plant
Magic". But, if you simply want to fertilize to get it done, any synthetic fertilizer with a composition of 6-12-12 or 10-10-10 will do
fine. NOTE: These types of fertilizers do absolutely nothing for building your soil. Once washed away by watering and rain your plants
are left with nothing to grow on until you apply some more.)
When to apply? Other than some bone-meal to establish the roots at planting time, you can wait until your newly planted Daylilies are
established before you fertilize them (about six weeks). Then a single application in the spring is sufficient for most gardens, although
some gardeners choose to fertilize again in the late summer after they have finished blooming.
Mulch: Mulching can be beneficial to your Daylilies in several ways. It can help by improving your soil through the addition of organic
material, by helping to retain moisture, and by helping to discourage weeds. It can also help keep soil cooler in the winter.
There are good mulching materials you can use depending on what is available in your area. Wood chips, straw and pine needles are just
a few possibilities.
Dead-heading: Many Daylily growers remove the day's bloom at the end of the day, called dead-heading. This will stop the formation
of seeds and have that energy directed back into the plants growth and re-blooming if the variety does re-bloom..
Weed Control: There are no easy answers to weeds, as any gardener knows. Daylilies are good at keeping weeds down once they are
established, but until then, mulch are hoeing are good weed-control methods. There are various herbicides available for use around
Daylilies, check with your local garden center or call us for more information.
Insects and diseases: Daylilies are not very susceptible to pests, and those that do bother them normally do only minor damage. Some
of the more common pests are aphids, spider mites, thrips and slugs and snails. These pests may cause bumps on the buds, discolored
leaves, bent or twisted scapes and ragged edges and holes on the foliage. It is often difficult to tell what exactly is bothering your plant,
and you may want to check with your local agricultural agent and have him test to determine the cause. In the case of aphids or thrips, a
good drenching with insecticidal soap to smother them will do the trick..
blooms as possible. It is most important that Daylilies get sufficient water in the spring, when plants are in full growth mode., and in
summer when they are blooming. Daylilies can withstand a lot of drought but ultimately as with any plant will suffer because of it.
A general rule is to try and give your Daylilies an inch of water every week - 3 or 4 long waterings to let the water soak in deep.
Fertilizer: Naturally, as we are organic growers, we strongly suggest composts, manures, alfalfa pellets, or our own fertilizer "Plant
Magic". But, if you simply want to fertilize to get it done, any synthetic fertilizer with a composition of 6-12-12 or 10-10-10 will do
fine. NOTE: These types of fertilizers do absolutely nothing for building your soil. Once washed away by watering and rain your plants
are left with nothing to grow on until you apply some more.)
When to apply? Other than some bone-meal to establish the roots at planting time, you can wait until your newly planted Daylilies are
established before you fertilize them (about six weeks). Then a single application in the spring is sufficient for most gardens, although
some gardeners choose to fertilize again in the late summer after they have finished blooming.
Mulch: Mulching can be beneficial to your Daylilies in several ways. It can help by improving your soil through the addition of organic
material, by helping to retain moisture, and by helping to discourage weeds. It can also help keep soil cooler in the winter.
There are good mulching materials you can use depending on what is available in your area. Wood chips, straw and pine needles are just
a few possibilities.
Dead-heading: Many Daylily growers remove the day's bloom at the end of the day, called dead-heading. This will stop the formation
of seeds and have that energy directed back into the plants growth and re-blooming if the variety does re-bloom..
Weed Control: There are no easy answers to weeds, as any gardener knows. Daylilies are good at keeping weeds down once they are
established, but until then, mulch are hoeing are good weed-control methods. There are various herbicides available for use around
Daylilies, check with your local garden center or call us for more information.
Insects and diseases: Daylilies are not very susceptible to pests, and those that do bother them normally do only minor damage. Some
of the more common pests are aphids, spider mites, thrips and slugs and snails. These pests may cause bumps on the buds, discolored
leaves, bent or twisted scapes and ragged edges and holes on the foliage. It is often difficult to tell what exactly is bothering your plant,
and you may want to check with your local agricultural agent and have him test to determine the cause. In the case of aphids or thrips, a
good drenching with insecticidal soap to smother them will do the trick..
Daylilies in the garden Landscape
Because of their low maintenance and because they do come back year after year, Daylilies make great additions to any landscape. Use
them as ground covers, to hold banks, as borders along fences and walks, and in decorative beds throughout the landscape.
Groupings: For the greatest impact in the landscape, plant your Daylilies in groups of three to five of the same variety. After a few years
you'll have massive color and several babies to trade with other Daylily fans. (This is a very popular pass time in Daylily circles)
Season of color: By selecting Daylilies that bloom and re-bloom during different times of the season, you can extend your color.
Because of their low maintenance and because they do come back year after year, Daylilies make great additions to any landscape. Use
them as ground covers, to hold banks, as borders along fences and walks, and in decorative beds throughout the landscape.
Groupings: For the greatest impact in the landscape, plant your Daylilies in groups of three to five of the same variety. After a few years
you'll have massive color and several babies to trade with other Daylily fans. (This is a very popular pass time in Daylily circles)
Season of color: By selecting Daylilies that bloom and re-bloom during different times of the season, you can extend your color.
A word about what a diploid and tetraploid is
Tetraploids and Diploids: These terms designate whether a variety has eleven pairs of chromosomes (diploids) or twice as
many (tetraploids). If you want to hybridize, you must cross diploids with diploids and tetraploids with tetraploids. To the
basic gardener, a tetraploid seems to be a more robust, larger plant with larger blooms but certainly not in all cases.
many (tetraploids). If you want to hybridize, you must cross diploids with diploids and tetraploids with tetraploids. To the
basic gardener, a tetraploid seems to be a more robust, larger plant with larger blooms but certainly not in all cases.
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| DAYLILY AWARDS Junior Citation (J.C.) Honorable Mention (H.M.) cultivars introduced two or more years,demonstrating excellent quality & performance beyond a regional level. Award of Merit (A.M.)10 varieties that have received the H.M. award after 3 years . Donn Fischer Memorial Cup (D.F.M.C.) For the outstanding miniature daylily. Annie T. Giles Award (A.T.G.) for the outstanding small -flowered (3"- 4.5") cultivar. L. Ernest Plouf Consistently Very Fragrant Hemerocallis(L.E.P.) for a consistently fragrant dormant daylily. James E. Marsh Award (J.E.M.) for the outstanding purple or lavender daylily Ida Munson Award (I.M.A.) for the best double-flowered cultivar. Lenington All A.merican Award (L.A.A.) cultivar which performs outstandingly in all parts of the U.S. daylilies must have introduced for 10 yrs. Florida Sunshine Cup (F.S.C.) for the hybridizer of the best miniature or small flowered daylily displayed in a convention tour garden. Popularity Poll (P.P.) annual poll conducted by members of the regions of the American Hemerocallis Society President's Cup (P.C.) the hybridizer of the most outstanding established daylily clump seen in a tour garden at the A.H.S. conventions. Determined by votes of convention attendants. Stout Medal (S.M.) considered the highest award given to preeminent varieties by the A.H.S. All-American Daylily (A.A.D.) dylilies must excell in twenty-seven criteria & perform outstandingly across a minimum of five climate zones. Awarded by the A.A.D.S.C. Star Performers These daylilies msut excell in twenty-seven criteria & perform outstandingly in a minimum of three climate zones. Awarded by the A.A.D.S.C. |
