When Do Daylilies Bloom? Factors, Tips, & Tricks

Many people enjoy growing daylilies in their gardens because they are attractive and come in many colors. One question that many new gardeners have is how long the flowering season lasts. The short answer is that it varies depending on where you live and what variety you are growing, but it typically lasts 4 or 5 weeks. Keep reading as we take a closer look to find out what factors affect these blossoms and how you can make them last longer.

What Is a Daylily?

The daylily is an attractive perennial. It’s a hardy plant that requires little effort to grow and can adapt to many environments. It’s especially resistant to heat and drought, so it’s a great choice for southern gardens, but you will also see them throughout the north.

You can find them in many colors, including yellow, orange, and red. The flowers usually have three large petals with three narrow petal-like sepals in many shapes, including spiders and stars. They range in size from 3 to 15 inches across, and most full-grown plants are 3–4 feet tall.

Factors Affecting the Daylily Season

Variety

There are many varieties of standard daylilies and even more hybrid types. That there are so many varieties makes it possible to find a flower that you like, but it can also affect how it grows and how long its flowering season lasts. Always learn as much as possible about the variety that you are considering before purchasing one, as you can find early or late bloomers to suit your needs.

Climate

One of the biggest factors affecting how long your daylilies will flower is the climate where you live. For example, southern states may start seeing flowers as early as March or April, while gardeners living in the northern states will likely have to wait until May or June before their flowers bloom.

How Long Does a Bloom Last?

Unfortunately, once the flower blooms, it only lasts about a day. However, a single plant will produce multiple blooms, with one stem having nine or more flowers.

How Can I Make the Daylily Season Last Longer?

Deadhead

Since the blooms will only look good for a single day, you can quickly cut them from the plant. Removing flowers the day after they bloom will help the plant conserve energy that it can use to produce more flowers. Gardeners call this process deadheading, and it will increase the number of blooms that you have and might even extend the season. This also helps the plant look better because there won’t be any wilted flowers.

Remove the Seed Pods

The daylily often produces seed pods along with the blooms. These pods help ensure that the plants will grow next year. However, they also reduce the number of flowers that you will see during this season. Removing most of them will help your plant convert more energy into producing more blooms.

Are Daylilies Toxic?

Daylilies are not toxic to humans; you can even find the petals from some varieties as an ingredient in Chinese cuisine. However, daylilies are toxic to cats and may also give a dog an upset stomach.

Will Other Animals Eat My Daylilies?

Rabbits and other rodents don’t seem to like daylilies. However, deer enjoy them and will even seek them out, so you may need to protect them while they flower.

Why Isn’t My Daylily Producing Flowers?

Sunlight

The most likely reason your daylily isn’t blooming is that it isn’t getting enough sunlight. While some varieties enjoy partial shade, the vast majority like as much sunlight as possible.

Overcrowding

Overcrowding is another reason that a daylily might not bloom as often as it should. This happens when the plant produces many seed pods. Removing the seed pods throughout the season can help reduce overcrowding, but sometimes, you may need to dig up and thin out the plants to give them the space that they need.

Lack of Nutrients

If your plants don’t seem overcrowded and they are getting plenty of sunlight, a lack of nutrients in the soil is the likely cause. Try adding a nitrogen-rich fertilizer in early spring and late fall.

Other Tips and Tricks for Growing Daylilies

Summary

When your daylilies bloom depends primarily on where you live in the country. The southern states usually start to see flowers in March or April, while northern states must wait till May or June. In either case, most gardeners will see the most flowers in June, and they will continue to bloom for a while, with some even going until the first frost. However, most will bloom for 4 to 5 weeks. You might be able to extend the season by removing the seed pods, which will also help prevent overcrowding, and by using the deadhead technique of removing spent flowers to conserve the plant’s energy.

Featured Image Credit: Piqsels