Plant of the Month

Daylilies are great to add drama to the garden in June and July. There are thousands of varieties registered with the American Hemerocallis Society and many more hybrids that are not registered. Daylilies need to be planted in soil that has been amended with organic matter such as compost. Plant them in full sun - six hours or more direct sunshine. Mulch around them to conserve water around their roots and let them grow. They will multiply each year and clumps should be divided about every five years. Look for flowers with many flower buds on each stem. Thick flower petals are good for holding up in the hot sunshine and will hold their color better. You can find fancy daylilies that have ruffled edges, diamond dust (the sparkly look to the flowers), contrasting colors in the petals, different forms - dwarf, tall, spider shape flowers, etc. Find one that you like and enjoy it in your garden. Daylilies can be addictive and once you start enjoying them, you'll want more in your garden.