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The daylilies is a hardy perennial, very robust plant; cultivated in the sun or the semi-shade. It has highly decorative qualities. That makes of it a plant particularly well adapted for gardening impassioned as for the neophytes. They used to be present in our gardens in poor colors and old forms. The fabulous news variety which you will be able to discover in our site completely renew the interest of this type of plant.

Origin It is on the Northern American continent that the daylilies are cultivated and improved. However, the botanical origin of this plant is being Europe and Asia with 16 known wild species. It is starting from these 16 species, that in years, more than 70,000 cultivars were created. Wild species are no more currently cultivated, because they are exceeded in all points by the hybrids.

The origin of its name comes from two words day and lilies (although they are not lilies actually). This name is because the flower lasts only one day. An adult plant, comprises several floral poles which produce between 15 and 30 buds according to varieties'. So that a daylily gives flowers constantly during approximately two months.

Flowering

According to the time to which they flower the daylilies are classified in various categories. Extra hasty, hasty, semi-season and late.

For three decades the daylilies have strongly evolved/moved. Accomplished progress is truly incredible. From small sized flowers with little developed petals, we come now with flowers which can reach 15 cm broad with thicker petals, very rigid, with broad and sumptuous forms, often, undulated, or curly, or notched, or quite to the contrary with petals very lengthened and tight ( kind of  “spider”) that can reach 18 to 20 cm in diameter and more.

All the colors exist.  Even blue. It was insulated very recently and will be soon available in new hybridizations. Before the incredible work of hybridization carried out these twenty last years, one found daylilies with united colors rather, in the yellow tone, red or orange and of shape very close to the lily.  A very great improvement relates also to the duration of the opening of the flowers: they open early the morning, and remain open the evening without fading.

 The number of flowers per pole is larger (one arrives at the 40 buds per pole) thanks to a connection of floral poles more important. Multiplied by the number of poles, that produced a really impressive spectacle during 2 months.

Contrary to these giant varieties, a whole range of charming miniatures  and dwarf variety for edges or small gardens, terraces, vases, etc… was also developed.

The daylilies have a discrete perfume. One can notice a more important perfume on the pale colored varieties.

Ground

The daylilies are plants of easy maintenance. They do not have, so to speak, enemies and are rarely affected by diseases. (what makes this plant a miracle).  They like the sun but the semi-shade is appropriate to them just as easily. The pH imports little. Except a prolonged dryness or a continuously wet ground, they will be satisfied.

Place the plant preferably 60 cm in distance in any direction.

It resists the competition of the roots of surrounding plants, and don't dislike salt, which makes it an excellent plant for edge of sea.

In order to ensure a beautiful flowering each year, it is advised to associate a manure containing of phosphorus and potash.

Multiplication

The easiest method of multiplication of the daylilies is division. This is carried out either in spring or during the autumn. This method is the only one which makes it possible to multiply quite precise varieties with reliability. This explains the decreasing cost with the years of the new introductions. Indeed, when a new variety is created, there is just one specimen which makes it impossible to quickly make several subjects from this new obtaining. One have just to wait the descendants. Therefore one need several years having a sufficient number of plants to cover the demand.   

To multiply the daylilies by sowing is completely possible, but it will, in any case, not be faithful to the variety from which it was coming (because of cross fecundation ).

Nevertheless, creating news hybrid daylilies by sowing is relatively easy. What it is necessary, is patience because one needs 3 years before admiring the first flowers.   

Conclusion

The daylilies are effectively, plants very easy to live. They give their full capacity that after two or three years of plantation. Be patient, they will be back each year to offer you their more beautiful ornaments. Each flowers last only one day. Their use in vase except exceptional event (eg. exposure) is thus ridiculous.

Retain finally that the plants can be left in place during several years. They reach their true beauty only after two or three years. It is frequent that, the first year, the stems are shorter and that the flowers do not reach their maximum size