The elegant appearance of the Day Lily belies the ease with which it grows. Almost every landscape has a spot to grow these beautiful flowers. Day Lilies are suitable for hardiness zones 4 to 9 and require little care. They can be grown almost anywhere they get at least a half day of sun. They will flourish in either full or partial sun and adapt to a wide variety of soils and climate conditions. Plus, it is very easy to create your own variety when you grow daylilies from seed.
Once established, the flowers may be left alone to do their own thing. They are vigorous growers and form an ever expanding clump. The clump should be dug and divided every few years.
There are thousands of registered varieties of Day Lilies. The flowers come in many shades and combinations of yellow, red, orange, pink, peach and even green. The large blooms live, as the name suggests, for just one day. However, the self-cleaning plants are literally covered in buds and will bloom for weeks in early summer. Many varieties, such as the classic yellow-gold Stella de Oro, rebloom throughout the summer.
How to Plant Day Lilies From Seed
Although normally propagated by root division, this lovely perennial may be started from seed. Seeds may be gathered from mature plants or ordered from garden supply centers. Because all Day Lilies are a product of hybrids, the plants grown from seed will not be identical to the parent plant. Each seed is individual and unique. When you know how to plant Day Lilies from seed, you have the exciting opportunity to create new, never-before seen plants.
Gathering Day Lily Seed
At the base of the flower bloom a green pod will appear. The pod will swell and dry out, turning brown, after the flower is spent and drops. In a few weeks the pod will burst open at one end revealing the seeds. In a week or two after the seeds have had a chance to dry, they may be harvested. Store the seeds overwinter.
Chill and Hydrate to Germinate
Ten weeks before the last frost date for your zone the seeds should be placed in plastic Zip-Loc bags with an absorbent material such as paper towels or peat moss and one to two teaspoons of water. Squeeze out any air from the bags and seal. Place bags in the refrigerator and check the seeds daily and plant any that sprout.
Ready to Plant
All seeds that are going to sprout should sprout within 3 to 4 weeks. Seeds should be planted ½ inch deep in pots or flats, in a seed-starting medium. Grow the seedlings in a sunny window or under grow lights. Day Lily seedlings do not like to dry out and should be checked frequently. Transplant seedlings outside after the danger of frost is past. New plants may not bloom for two to three years, but the promise of your own unique plant makes the wait worth while.
Care Free Beauty
Day Lilies add a touch of easy elegance to the yard. They look great growing in the garden, in a foundation planting with hostas, in a sunny border, around a mailbox post or where ever you plant them. Care-free and lovely, you can’t go wrong planting Day Lilies. Whether you propagate from seed or division, these adaptable perennials are a benefit to almost any landscape.
Resources:
http://www.bulbandbloom.com/growing-daylilies-from-seed.shtml
http://www.allaboutdaylilies.org/howToPropagateDaylilies.php
http://www.dianedaylilies.com/seeds.html