After it is established a daylily will withstand much abuse, neglect and lack of attention by a gardener since it is not terribly demanding.  It will generally sustain itself through major droughts or prolonged periods of rain, snow and frosts - conditions that destroy other less hardy perennials.  However like any garden plant, daylilies will reward you many times over if you give them reasonable care and attention as outlined below.

When To Plant
Daylilies can be planted all year round but for best results try to avoid planting them in the middle of winter in very cold areas and during the hottest months of summer.  If you order plants during these times, pot them up and place them in a warm sunny spot in winter or in the shade in summer.

Where To Plant
The ideal location is in a sunny well drained position where they will receive at least six hours of sunlight.  They are ideally suited for the following situations;

• Coastal situations... daylilies are tolerant of exposure to wind and salt spray.
• Mass plantings...more and more councils and landscape designers are catching on.  See a spectacular display of 'Touched By Midas' in the main street of Waihi and thousands of yellow and cream daylilies at the new Botany Downs Town Centre in Auckland.
• Natural looking settings in association with grasses, flaxes, reinga lilies.
• Tropical settings...get the exotic look with bold oranges, reds and yellows.
• Pond edges... in damp, not waterlogged ground.
• Courtyards and pots...smaller cultivars are particularly suitable.

Soil Preparation
For best results, dig your soil well and add compost, old cow manure or sheep manure, blood and bone before planting.  Daylilies don't like being planted in old, sick, worn out soil where chrysanthemums, gerberas or old roses used to be grown.

Distance Apart
Plant at 60 to 90 cm intervals depending on amount of ground coverage required.



When Your Plants Arrive
Your plants are sent bare-rooted and will appear dry.  DON'T WORRY - they will not die!  Daylilies can withstand weeks out of the ground and still survive.  You may feel that there are too few roots and foliage - again, don't be concerned.  They will quickly establish.  There is no need to soak the plants because they have no hair roots to take in moisture.  These will develop in the next two weeks.  If your garden bed is not ready, heel them in damp sand in the shade.

Depth To Plant
Dig a shallow hole and form a mound at the base of the hole and spread the roots out over it.  Sprinkle fine soil over the roots making sure there are no air pockets.  Just cover the roots and crown.  Tamp the soil down firmly and lightly water.  Do not over water at this time - just once a week should be adequate (unless you have very porous soil).

Fertilising
Apply a well balanced fertiliser in Spring and Autumn.  Dayliles respond well to organic matter.  Sheep pellets, blood and bone, fish and seaweed products are all beneficial to the soil health.

General Garden Care
During times of rapid growth and during bloom season water twice weekly to maintain quality blooms.  Mulch your plants heavily.
To keep the plants looking attractive during and after bloom season, remove the old scapes when flowering has finished (cut them back to just below the top of the foliage) and remove the old outside leaves.  Use them as a mulch around the plant.