Members
of the lily family are among the most prized flowering plants
for the home garden. Two of the most popular and durable
lilies are the daylily and the hardy lily.
Daylilies
belong to the genus Hemerocallis
. The common name comes
from the fact that individual flowers last just one day. The
good news is that a mature sized clump will develop dozens of
buds and flower continuously with 5 or 6 blooms opening every
day for a month or more.
Daylilies
form a clump made of tufts of grass-like foliage. They survive
the winter as a swollen crown sheltered beneath the soil
surface. Most varieties are extremely hardy and will thrive
under widely varying conditions in the garden.
Daylilies are easy to hybridize by either
the professional or the hobbyist in the backyard. That is why
there are over 30,000 named varieties recorded. Even with this
vast array, there are no pure blue or white daylilies although
plant breeders continue to search for the right genetic
combinations for these colors.
Hardy
lilies would include the Easter lily and the Tiger lily. The
genus for these plants is Lillium and there are many
different types available for the home garden.
Hardy lilies emerge from
bulbs and have a
single long stem with pairs or clusters of leaves emerging
along its length. Plant heights may vary from 12 inches to
over 6 feet depending on the variety. Unlike daylilies, their
flowers last many days before fading and several varieties are
extremely fragrant. A single
blossom
may fill the entire house with a wonderful scent.
Both plants are relatively pest and disease
free. Hardy lily
bulbs need a site with good drainage to avoid
rots. Taller varieties may need staking.
