Daylilies are popular perennial flowers that provide gorgeous color to gardens from early summer through fall Many modern daylily hybrids are repeat bloomers, meaning they can bloom repeatedly over an extended period With proper care, certain daylilies like Stella de Oro can bloom continuously from May all the way until frost. Follow these tips to keep your daylilies flowering prolifically over the entire growing season.
Choose Reblooming Daylily Varieties
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Opt for repeat blooming daylily cultivars that are specifically bred to bloom repeatedly over an extended period, rather than just once a season.
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Some of the best reblooming types include Stella de Oro, Happy Returns, Rosy Returns, Pardon Me, My Melinda, and many others.
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Avoid once-blooming daylilies that only flower for a couple weeks then are done Focus on rebloomers for nonstop color,
Provide Consistent Moisture
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Daylilies bloom best when grown in consistently moist soil Allowing plants to dry out will slow down flowering
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Water reblooming daylilies deeply at their roots about 1-2 times a week during the growing season, depending on rainfall.
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More frequent watering may be needed in very hot, dry conditions to maintain moist soil.
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Daylilies in containers will need more frequent watering than in-ground plants. Check soil daily.
Deadhead Spent Blooms Frequently
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Removing old blooms before seed pods form redirects the plant’s energy into producing more flowers instead of seeds.
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Deadhead daylilies by snapping off spent flowers right behind the wilted bloom.
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Make deadheading a habit and remove faded blooms every 2-3 days throughout the summer.
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Consistent deadheading keeps plants looking attractive and yields the most repeat blooms.
Apply Balanced Fertilizer
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Fertilizing daylilies encourages vigorous growth and prolific blooming. Use a balanced 10-10-10 or similar fertilizer.
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Apply an all-purpose fertilizer once in early spring when growth resumes.
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Supplement with a second application 4-6 weeks later to support summer long blooming.
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Always follow package directions and do not over fertilize as this can damage plants.
Divide Overcrowded Plants
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Mature daylily clumps that are over 5 years old will bloom less without division.
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In early fall, dig up congested daylily patches and replant individual fans spaced 15-24 inches apart.
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Dividing overgrown daylilies rejuvenates the plants so they bloom better next season.
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Immediately water and fertilize divisions to help them establish before winter.
Provide Full Sun Exposure
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Daylilies thrive best in a full sun location with at least 6 hours of direct sun daily.
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Insufficient sunlight leads to reduced flowering and weaker, floppy growth.
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If your daylilies are not blooming well, try moving them to a brighter, unobstructed spot.
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South or west facing garden beds work perfectly for sun-loving daylilies.
Prune Foliage After Blooming
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Pruning daylily leaves about halfway down after the initial spring bloom period leads to better reblooming.
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Removing some foliage reduces the plants energy going to vegetation so more is directed to flower production.
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Never prune leaves before blooming since this is where energy for the initial flower set is stored.
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Avoid cutting all the way to the ground as some leaves are still needed for rebloom energy.
Control Pests Promptly
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Insects and diseases will quickly sabotage daylily blooming performance if not managed early.
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Aphids, thrips, spider mites, Japanese beetles, and daylily rust are common daylily problems.
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Inspect plants frequently and use organic insecticidal soap, neem oil, or other remedies at the first sign of pests.
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Rapid action prevents infestations from escalating and disturbing flowering.
With excellent care and maintenance, your daylilies will keep the garden filled with flowers summer through fall. Just be attentive to their needs for ample moisture, fertility, sunlight and pest control.
How to Deadhead & Prune Reblooming Daylilies – July 2023
FAQ
How do you get daylilies to continue blooming?
Will daylilies bloom twice?
Should you remove old blooms from daylilies?
How do you keep daylilies blooming all summer long?
To keep your daylilies blooming all summer long, it’s important to follow a few key practices. Plant daylilies in a location that provides ample sunlight and well-draining soil. Water them consistently, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged.
Do daylilies bloom?
The best bloom is achieved by fertilizing daylilies prior to blooming. Though they can cope up with low-quality soil and fertilizer, they will not bloom in this condition. As you want to grow more flowers continuously, it is essential to plant them on healthy soil and use high-quality soil.
Do daylilies need a lot of water?
Watering: Daylilies perform best with consistent moisture. Provide regular water, especially when plants are developing new foliage and flower buds. Plants may become somewhat drought tolerant once established. Avoid overhead watering when plants are blooming to prevent damage to the flowers.
How to grow daylilies?
Ensure the soil is well-prepared for the plants to bloom rapidly and grow steadily. For this, you can take the following steps: Use aged manure or compost to raise the organic matter in the soil before you plant daylilies. Make a decently large hole to accommodate the roots.
Are daylilies easy to care for?
Daylilies are easy to care for, but there are some things to keep in mind to ensure they thrive in your garden. Daylilies require at least six or more hours of direct sunlight a day to grow to their fullest potential. “If you live in a hotter region, a bit of afternoon shade can help keep the flowers looking their best,” says Myers.
How long do daylilies last?
Foliage on cultivars whose leaves turn brown should be pruned in late summer or early fall. If dead foliage is present, remove it and cut back the remaining leaves less than a foot from the ground. How Many Years do daylilies Last? Daylily roots and stems get crowded after three to six years, making it hard for daylilies to produce flowers.