Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are popular perennials known for their bright, short-lived blooms and ability to thrive in many climates. Gardeners in Florida can successfully incorporate these plants into their landscapes, but success depends on specific selections and care tailored to the state’s subtropical conditions. This guide focuses on the cultivar characteristics and maintenance routines necessary for the Florida environment.
Daylilies and the Florida Climate Challenge
The primary challenge for growing daylilies in Florida is the lack of sufficient cold weather, which many traditional varieties require to initiate their growth cycle. Daylilies are categorized by their foliage habits: Dormant, Semi-Evergreen, and Evergreen. Dormant varieties die back completely after a frost and rely on prolonged winter chilling hours to trigger spring blooming and growth.
Florida’s mild winters, particularly in the central and southern regions, do not provide the necessary cold period for these Dormant types. Without this chilling, Dormant daylilies often lose vigor, produce thin growth, and fail to flower properly. Gardeners must select plants genetically adapted to remain active or only partially slow down during the winter months.
The Evergreen and Semi-Evergreen types are better suited for the warm Florida climate. Evergreen daylilies maintain their foliage year-round, continuing growth even in mild cold. Semi-Evergreen plants may act as Evergreens in frost-free zones. Selecting these non-dormant types is the first step in overcoming the environmental hurdle.
Selecting Low-Chill Cultivars
The term “low-chill” refers to cultivars that do not require an extended period of cold temperatures to set flower buds. These varieties are overwhelmingly Evergreen or Semi-Evergreen, exhibiting continuous growth throughout the mild Florida winter. When choosing plants, look for varieties specifically bred for the southeastern United States or those known to perform well in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 and 10.
Many successful Florida daylilies are reblooming varieties, producing multiple sets of flower scapes throughout the growing season. Reliable choices include hybrids known for heat tolerance and vigor in warm soil. Cultivars such as ‘Always Afternoon’ and ‘Purple de Oro’ are examples of selections recommended for robust performance.
It is also wise to seek out varieties resistant to daylily rust, a pervasive fungal disease in high-humidity regions. Choosing rust-resistant cultivars, such as ‘Chicago Apache,’ can reduce the maintenance burden. Consulting with local nurseries or regional daylily societies provides current information on the best-performing, low-chill cultivars.
Year-Round Care and Maintenance in Florida
Proper planting and location selection are foundational to daylily success in Florida. Daylilies thrive in full sun, but in extreme heat, placing darker varieties in morning sun and afternoon shade prevents bloom colors from fading. Florida soil should be amended with organic matter like compost or peat to improve drainage and nutrient retention.
Maintaining consistent soil moisture is necessary, but managing water during the rainy season prevents crown rot. Daylilies generally need one to two inches of water per week, requiring supplemental irrigation during dry periods. Avoid overhead watering late in the day, as prolonged leaf wetness creates an ideal environment for fungal diseases.
Pest and disease management is a year-round effort for non-dormant daylilies. Daylily rust (Puccinia hemerocallidis) is a widespread fungal issue, appearing as small, mustard-yellow spots on the undersides of foliage. While rust rarely kills a healthy plant, it makes the foliage unsightly and can weaken the plant.
Sanitation is a primary defense against daylily rust, requiring the immediate removal of infected leaves and the trimming of all foliage from new plants before introduction. Other pests, including aphids, thrips, and spider mites, can also pose problems during spring and fall growth periods. Systemic and contact fungicides can be used for rust management, often requiring rotation and repeat applications every seven to twenty-one days.
Fertilization should align with the non-dormant growing cycle, requiring multiple light feedings annually rather than a single heavy spring application. Feed in the fall, early spring, and mid-summer using a fertilizer with an N:P:K ratio of approximately 3:1:2. Scatter fertilizer evenly around the plant clump, avoiding direct contact with the crown to prevent burning, and immediately water it into the soil.