From my perspective as a daylily, timing is everything. The best time to move me is when I am in a period of dormancy or very low energy expenditure. This typically occurs in the late summer or early autumn, after my spectacular blooms have faded. My energy, which was focused on reproduction (flowering), has now retreated back into my fleshy roots and fans of leaves to be stored for the next season. Alternatively, very early spring, just as my new green shoots are peeking above the soil but before the flower scapes begin to form, is also an acceptable window. Transplanting me during these times causes the least amount of stress, allowing me to focus my energy on re-establishing my root system in a new home rather than on supporting flowers or surviving extreme heat.
Please be gentle. Start by watering the soil around my base thoroughly a day before the move. This makes the soil more cohesive and easier to work with, reducing the risk of damaging my roots. Use a sharp spade or garden fork and dig a wide circle around my clump, giving my extensive root system plenty of space. Lift the entire clump out of the ground. You will likely see that I have become a dense mass of fans, roots, and soil. To divide me, you can often tease the clump apart with your hands, working from the outside in. For tougher, more established clumps, two garden forks inserted back-to-back into the center and levered apart work wonders. This method minimizes crushing and cutting, preserving my vital root structures.
Once I am separated into smaller, more manageable divisions (each with at least 2-3 fans of leaves and a healthy set of roots), a little grooming is in order. This is for my benefit. Trim my long, stringy roots back to about 6 inches in length. This may seem harsh, but it encourages the development of new, vigorous feeder roots in my new location. Also, trim my foliage back by about one-third to one-half. This reduces water loss through transpiration while I am re-establishing myself and puts less strain on my compromised root system. It is also the perfect time to inspect my roots for any signs of rot or pest damage, removing any unhealthy parts.
My new home is crucial. Prepare a hole that is wider than my root spread and deep enough so that the point where my roots meet my stem (the crown) will be about one inch below the soil surface. Create a small mound of soil in the center of the hole and spread my roots over it, like placing me on a throne. Backfill the hole with soil, firming it gently around my roots to eliminate large air pockets. Water me deeply and thoroughly immediately after planting. This "settling in" water is critical for making good contact between my roots and their new soil environment. Apply a layer of mulch around my base to help conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature as I begin the work of anchoring myself.
