Daylilies are a popular perennial flower, prized for their bright colors, low maintenance, and ability to thrive in a wide range of climates While daylilies are winter hardy in most regions, providing some care in fall can help them survive harsh winters and return vigorously the following spring
What are Daylilies?
Daylilies, or Hemerocallis, are native to Asia and get their name from the fact that each flower only lasts one day. The flowers, which come in almost any color, bloom prolifically from spring to fall on stems that arise from grassy clumps of arching leaves.
Modern daylily hybrids are bred to be rugged, resilient perennials that can endure winter temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit. But giving them a little preparation in fall helps protect the plant crowns and roots from freeze damage.
Why Prepare Daylilies for Winter?
Daylilies go dormant in winter, dying back after hard frosts. Some basic steps to get them ready for cold weather include:
Remove Foliage
- Fading leaves can harbor diseases and pests over winter. Cutting them back reduces this threat.
Protect the Crown
- Mulching insulates tender crown area from temperature extremes and moisture fluctuations during winter months.
Prevent Heaving
- Alternate freezing and thawing can push plants up from the ground. Mulch stabilizes soil.
Improve Spring Growth
- Removing debris eliminates places where fungi and rot can gain foothold. Healthy spring recovery begins now.
When to Prepare Daylilies for Winter
Daylily care in fall should begin 4-6 weeks before your average first frost date. This gives plants time to cycle nutrients back to roots and crowns before going dormant.
- Northern areas: September – October
- Central zones: October – Mid November
- Southern regions: November – December
- Warmer climates: December – February
Signs daylilies are going dormant:
- Flowering ends
- Foliage yellows
- Lower leaves brown and crisp
Frequency of Entities
- daylilies – 32 times
- winter – 21 times
- prepare – 7 times
- fall – 12 times
How to Prepare Daylilies for Winter
Follow these tips in fall to get your daylilies ready for winter:
Remove Dead Foliage and Spent Flowers
Cut back yellowing or browned leaves to within several inches of the ground after light frosts. Removing foliage reduces overwintering pests and disease. Also cut off any remaining spent flower stalks.
Divide Overcrowded Plants
Rejuvenate overgrown daylily clumps by dividing them in fall. Use a shovel or sharp knife to cut congested masses into smaller sections of 3-5 fans each. Replant divisions 15 inches apart.
Apply Fall Fertilizer
Give plants a final feeding in early fall with a balanced fertilizer to provide nutrients that strengthen roots before winter. Discontinue fertilizing 6 weeks before your first expected frost date.
Add Winter Mulch
Pile shredded leaves, straw, or other organic mulch 2-4 inches deep over each plant’s crown after the ground freezes. The mulch insulates the crown and reduces temperature fluctuations that can push plants up from the soil.
Protect Hybrid Daylilies
Fancier hybrid daylilies, especially those with ruffled or double flowers, are sometimes less winter hardy. Protect them by covering beds with temporary shelters of burlap or fabric when hard freezes are forecasted.
Check Winter Soil Moisture
Soil around daylilies should not be soggy wet or bone dry during winter months. Add moisture if extended dry periods occur. A spring-flowing hose or movable sprinkler makes watering easier if mulch is in place.
Avoid Fertilizer in Winter
Never fertilize daylilies late in fall after they have gone dormant. Fertilizing too late can stimulate tender new growth that won’t have time to harden off before winter, resulting in dieback.
Spring Daylily Care After Winter
When warmer weather returns in spring, daylilies will send up new foliage. Here are some revitalizing tips:
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Remove winter mulch from crowns so they can soak up sunshine and warm.
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Cut back any remaining dead leaves from the previous year to make way for new growth.
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Apply an early spring feeding with a water-soluble fertilizer once you see sprouts.
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Daylilies benefit from division every few years. If needed, divide congested plants in early spring as growth starts.
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Water plants if dry periods occur before the daylilies leaf out and develop extensive roots. Established plants are quite drought tolerant during summer.
Protect Daylilies from Late Frosts
Daylilies emerge early in spring, making them susceptible to damage from late frosts after they have leafed out. Guard against this by leaving winter mulch in place until all danger of frost has passed. Or cover plants with fabric if frost threatens.
Preparing daylilies properly each autumn will reward you with vigorous growth and maximum blooms come spring. Simple steps like pruning back foliage, fertilizing, mulching, and checking soil moisture ready the plants for winter dormancy. With a little fall care, your daylilies will flourish year after year.
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Daylilies are winter hardy in USDA growing zones 3-10. These perennial plants emerge in the spring and grow through the summer. The leaves fall off in the fall, and the plant goes dormant. In the spring, it starts the whole process over again.
You don’t have to do much to care for or protect daylilies in the winter because all of their growth above ground dies back. The previous year’s dead growth should be removed before new growth begins to appear in the spring.
Daylily Winter Care In Pots
Potted Daylilies should be brought into a covered space for the winter. A garage, shed, or even a basement are good places for potted Daylilies to winter over. You don’t have to heat the space, but you do need to keep the containers out of the weather. Putting the containers somewhere warm and dry will protect the roots from cold damage and keep the ceramic pots from breaking.
Plant Care & Gardening : How to Prepare Daylilies for Winter
FAQ
Do daylilies need to be cut back for winter?
Should daylilies be cut down in the fall?
Can you leave daylily bulbs in the ground over winter?
Do daylilies need care in the winter?
Daylilies require essentially no care in the winter. The plants will need minor prep in the fall or spring, but you can generally forget about your Daylilies until the warm weather returns. Step 1 Remove previous year’s dead growth in the late fall or early spring. Step 2 Leave the plant alone while it is in its dormancy period.
How do you prepare daylilies for winter?
Mulching: Mulching is one of the most important steps when preparing daylilies for winter. Mulch provides insulation and protection from the cold temperatures, while also helping to retain moisture in the soil. Use a two- to four-inch layer of straw, leaves, or wood chips to create a nice blanket around your daylilies.
Do daylilies need water?
Daylilies only need water when the plants are actively growing in the spring and summer. Daylilies go through a dormancy period during the winter, so they do not grow. Plants in the ground can winter over in place. Potted Daylilies should be brought into a covered and protected space to keep the plant out of the elements.
How do you care for daylilies?
Make sure to water the soil deeply, so that the water reaches the roots. Pruning: Pruning is also important for keeping your daylilies healthy. Prune off any dead or diseased foliage, and cut back the foliage to about six inches from the ground. This will help the plant stay healthy and allow for new growth in the spring.