Daylilies are not Bulbs

Daylilies are plants that are hardy, attractive and very popular with gardeners of all levels. Not only do they require very little maintenance but they provide a great way of adding colour and beauty to your garden without having to invest huge amounts of time when it comes to planting and caring for them. However, one thing you need to remember is that although these plants are often referred to and even sold as bulbs they are actually not bulbs but plants with tuberous roots. This is something that you have to take into consideration when planting them, as the planting process differs slightly compared to lilies that do have bulb root structures as opposed to tuberous ones.

Planting your tuberous lilies

The fact that daylilies are not lilies with ‘true bulb’ structures is something that you need to take into consideration when it comes to planting. In order to get the most of these plants, you should consider the following points:

·       Plant them in a sunny area where they can get at least six hours of sun per day in order to flourish.

·       Use organic matter such as peat moss or compost in order to amend the soil, particularly in areas with a lot of clay or sand.

·       Your tuberous daylilies should be planted an inch below the soil’s surface with the bud facing upwards.

·       If you’re planting multiple daylilies, leave around two feet between them to allow for spread as they grow.

·       After planting your daylilies get rid of air pockets by tamping down the soil, which helps to reduce the risk of root rot. Also, make sure you water them after planting.

·       Apply two or three inches of mulch to your newly planted daylilies in order to help with water retention.

Making sure you plant and care for your daylilies as tuberous plants rather than bulbs will help to ensure you get to enjoy all of the benefits of these beautiful flowers.