July Perennial of the Month-Daylily
Probably the most well-known perennial on the planet is the daylily, Hemerocallis spp, and cvs. And not only the most well-known, but one of the most-used and loved perennials. One look at the Daylily garden at MBG in full bloom will tell you why. The rainbow of available colors makes plant geeks happy, and the ease of creating new cultivars and crosses makes hybridizers happy. In fact, the American Daylily Society recognizes over 100,000 registered cultivars to this day.
So with all these new cultivars available in multiple colors from cremes, yellows, oranges, reds, purples, and everything in between, surely you can find one for your garden that isn’t the overused, yellow ‘Stella D’Oro’, or the common, orange “ditch lily?”
Daylilies are extremely hardy and adaptable, but they do prefer full-to-part sun and deep, loamy, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. Sizes range depending on cultivar, but most fall in the 12” to 4’ range. The strappy foliage stays in a clump that usually needs dividing about every 3-4 years for best results. The flowers usually last only one day, but the plant produces them for an extended period of 2-5 weeks.
Nurseries and garden centers like to use the tried-and-true cultivars like ‘Stella D’ Oro’ because they can be ordered in large numbers from growers. If you are looking for something more unique, your best bet is a smaller local grower, online sources, or, even better, if you live in the Lou, the Annual Daylily Sale at the Missouri Botanical Garden is usually held in mid-August. (August 15th 2026) Proceeds from the annual daylily sale go directly to the horticulture division at MBG to fund new equipment and related expenses. For more information, visit; Missouri Botanical Garden Daylily Association Plant Sale
What I love about this plant;
-Zillions of cultivars and species to pick from.
-Colorful, sometimes fragrant, flowers come in reds, yellows, oranges, purples, and cremes.
-Very hardy perennial, tolerating a wide variety of soils.
-Every part of the plant is edible, but make sure you are not confusing true lilies (Lilium) with day lilies. (Hemerocallis)
What’s not so great;
-Flowers typically only last one day, hence the name.
-BEWARE the common, orange “ditch lily” or “tawny lily” daylily, Hemerocallis fulva …this highly aggressive daylily is great in ditches or to handle erosion on slopes, etc., but not your flower beds. There, it will take over any and all other perennials-FOREVER, spreading rapidly via underground rhizomes. Originally from Asia, it’s considered invasive in much of the Eastern U.S., where it has naturalized on roadsides and anywhere else it lands.
-Although daylilies are touted as “low-maintenance,” I beg to differ. Hardy, yes. Low-maintenance, no. Flowers require daily dead-heading during the flowering period to look good. Dried “Grass skirts” accumulate around the base and require removal. Division, every 3-4 years, is needed.
-Can be susceptible to mites, aphids, thrips, and daylily rust.
To tidy things up after flowering, remove the dead foliage around the base of the clump. Then if desired, trim the foliage down, leaving 6-10″ for photosynthesis.
-Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2026, All rights reserved.
