Why Are My Daylilies Blooming, Then Dying?

Lifespan

• Daylilies are perennials, meaning they have a lifespan of three or more years. Green, straplike foliage emerges in early spring, and as the days grow longer and the weather warms, long stalks appear. Flower buds emerge in early summer. When the buds blossom, however, they last for just one day, opening in the morning and closing at night. By the next morning the flowers have wilted, ending their colorful display. Fortunately, each plant produces many buds -- usually several on each stalk -- that blossom in succession. Some daylily plant varieties display blooms for as many as 30 to 40 days.

Flowers

• Many daylily varieties are available, boasting colorful shades of yellow, red, orange, purple and peach. Each flower has six segments, called tepals. A few varieties have more than six segments (these are called doubles). Some flowers feature solid colors, while others are striped or mixed in color. Blooms featuring several colors are called polychromes.

Care and Maintenance

• Little care is required to maintain healthy daylilies. They prefer slightly acidic soil, but they grow fairly well in poorer conditions. Daylilies tolerate heat and drought, but they will bloom best when planted in a spot with full sun to light shade. Fall and spring are the best times to plant daylilies; when you're dividing an existing plant, try to do so shortly after it has finished blooming completely, which is usually mid- to late summer.

Pests and Diseases

• Few diseases affect daylilies, but there are some pests that can cause their appearance to become wan. Slugs, spider mites, aphids and thrips sometimes damage foliage and flowers. If insect damage is apparent, commercial sprays and dusts are available to control pests or a homemade soap spray might work. Check with your local extension office to see which pest controls are best for your daylilies.