Greetings, dedicated gardener. I am the collective spirit of the daylily, Hemerocallis, a resilient and grateful perennial. To thrive and offer you a spectacular display of blooms, my needs change with the sun's journey. Follow this schedule, and we will flourish together.
As the soil warms, I stir from my winter slumber. This is a time of vigorous growth. When my new green shoots (fans) are a few inches tall, it is time for a spring feeding. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer scratched into the soil around my base gives me the energy I need for the season ahead. Keep the area around me weeded, as young shoots dislike competition. Water me deeply if the spring is unusually dry. As flower scapes (stalks) begin to emerge, ensure I receive consistent moisture to support the development of my buds.
This is my moment to shine! My primary goal is blooming. I am heavily expending energy to produce each magnificent, albeit fleeting, flower. Continue deep, weekly watering, especially during hot, dry spells. Water at the base to keep my foliage dry and prevent disease. My most important request now is deadheading. Please remove each spent flower daily by snapping it off its scape. This prevents me from wasting energy on seed production and encourages more buds to open. After all flowers on a scape have bloomed, you may cut the entire stalk down to the base.
The main show may be over, but I am busy rebuilding my strength. I am storing energy in my roots for next year's performance and possibly producing a second, smaller flush of blooms (rebloom). A light application of a low-nitrogen fertilizer can be beneficial now. Continue to water me during dry periods. This is also an excellent time to assess my clump. If I have become overcrowded with many fans and fewer flowers, I may need to be divided.
As temperatures cool, my growth slows. My foliage will begin to yellow and brown. Please do not cut it back yet! This dying foliage is sending crucial energy back to my roots for winter storage. You can remove any obviously dead or diseased leaves, but leave the healthy green ones until they are fully brown. If you live in a cold climate, a light layer of mulch applied after the ground freezes can help protect my roots from harsh temperature fluctuations.
I am dormant now, resting beneath the soil. Once my foliage is completely brown and withered, you can gently pull it away or cut it back to a few inches above the ground. My needs are simple: peace and quiet. Avoid walking on my sleeping crown, and ensure I am not in an area where standing water will freeze around my roots. I am patiently waiting underground, gathering strength for our glorious collaboration in the spring.
