Planting Instructions for Daylilies

Your new plants will arrive bare-root, similar to the photo on the right (a small triple fan is shown in the upper left and a large single fan is shown in the lower right).

Choosing a Location

Daylilies enjoy bright, full sun but can also be grown in partial sun. Although they can survive drought, lack of water can cause lack of blooms so plant in a location that will receive regular moisture for the best performance.

Spacing

It is recommended that daylilies are spaced at 18-24 inches apart.

Planting Your New Daylilies

Instructions formatted for printing: Daylily Planting Directions (PDF)

Upon receipt, many daylily enthusiasts soak the roots of their new plants for a few hours or even overnight in a bucket of water, although others do not agree so soaking is optional.

After you’re done soaking (or not soaking), follow these steps to plant your new daylilies:

1. Dig a hole larger than the spread out roots (you’ll be spreading out the roots like a skirt). If your ground is very hard, you might want to dig an even larger hole to loosen the surrounding soil.	2. Make a dirt mound in the center of the hole, about as tall as ground surface. This mound will go under plant to support the roots in a wide cone shape.	3. Place the plant on top of the dirt mound, carefully spreading out the roots around the mound. Make sure the crown (where the roots and the foliage join) will be no more than one inch below the surface of the soil.
4. Fill the hole back in with soil, gently working the soil between the roots and firming the soil as you go to make sure there are no air pockets as this can cause the plant to grow poorly.	5. Water thoroughly, making sure the water soaks in (versus just running off). If needed, you can create a depression around the plant to help hold the water until it soaks in.	6. Don’t forget to label your plant. Most of the plant’s value is lost if the identification is lost.

If You Can’t Plant Your New Daylilies Right Away

If you can’t plant your new plants right away, don’t worry, you can temporarily “heal them in” by following these three easy steps:

1. Dig a sloping trench that is at least as wide as the roots are long.

2. Lay your plants in the trench at approximately a forty-five degree angle. Make sure each individual label stays with its plant.

3. Cover the roots and water well. Make sure they receive regular water while they’re waiting for their planting date.

Questions about planting? Feel free to send an email to info@livingartgardens.com.