Daylilies are popular perennials known for their resilience and vibrant blooms. Maroon varieties, with their rich, deep hues, offer a striking presence in any garden.
Understanding Maroon Daylilies
Maroon daylilies (Hemerocallis genus) form clumps of grassy leaves, one to three feet tall. Their trumpet-shaped flowers grow on leafless stems (scapes) up to five feet tall. Individual flowers last a day, but scapes produce multiple blooms over weeks, providing continuous color.
Many rebloom, extending blooms. The maroon color ranges from deep burgundy to reddish-brown, often velvety. Their thickened, tuberous roots store food and water for hardiness.
Cultivation and Care
Light Requirements
For abundant blooms, maroon daylilies need at least six hours of direct sun daily. They tolerate some partial shade, but more sun leads to more blooms. In intense afternoon sun, partial shade helps preserve color for darker varieties.
Soil Preferences
Daylilies adapt to various soil types and pH levels. They grow best in rich, well-draining soil. For heavy clay, incorporate organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. Sandy soils benefit from organic amendments for water retention.
Watering Practices
Consistent moisture benefits maroon daylilies during establishment and dry spells. Newly planted daylilies need regular watering for establishment. Once established, they are drought tolerant but thrive with about one inch of water per week from rain or irrigation. Deep watering is more effective than shallow watering for robust root development. Water in the early morning, allowing foliage to dry before nightfall, reducing fungal disease risk.
Fertilization Needs
Daylilies in well-amended soil need little supplemental fertilizer. If desired, apply a slow-release granular fertilizer, like a 10-10-10 blend, in early spring when new growth emerges. A nitrogen-rich fertilizer encourages larger clumps and more blooms. However, excessive nitrogen leads to lush foliage with fewer flowers.
Pruning and Deadheading
Deadheading spent blooms encourages maroon daylilies to produce more flowers, extending the bloom period. Once all buds on a scape have finished blooming, cut the entire scape back for tidiness and rebloom. In late fall after frost, or early spring, cut foliage back to a few inches above ground.
Winter Preparation
Maroon daylilies are hardy perennials. In colder climates, after foliage dies back from frost, apply a two to three-inch layer of mulch around the plant crown. Mulch, like straw or shredded bark, protects roots from temperature fluctuations and frost heave. Container-grown daylilies move to an unheated, protected space like a garage or shed, preventing root damage.
Popular Varieties
Several maroon daylily cultivars include:
‘Maroon Curls’ features deep maroon petals curling backwards from a yellow throat. Blooms May to June, 18-24 inches tall.
‘Burgundy Love’ is semi-double with rich burgundy-red flowers, yellow-green throats, and five-inch blossoms on twenty-inch scapes.
‘Midnight Madness’ has very dark, almost black-purple blooms; morning sun prevents scorching.
‘Ruby Spider’ features large, vibrant ruby-red spider-form blooms.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Maroon daylilies are robust, but issues can arise. Lack of blooms is common, often from insufficient sunlight (daylilies need six hours daily). Overcrowding also inhibits blooming; divide established clumps every three to four years to restore vigor and blooms. Improper fertilization, like excessive nitrogen, leads to lush foliage with fewer flowers.
Pests are not severe, but aphids, spider mites, thrips, and slugs or snails can appear. Manage aphids and spider mites with insecticidal soap or strong water spray. Thrips cause silvery streaks and distorted buds; consistent moisture and debris removal prevent infestations. Deter slugs and snails by removing hiding spots and watering in the morning, letting the garden dry by evening.
Daylily rust appears as yellow-orange pustules on leaf undersides. Favored by humidity and warmth, if observed, promptly remove infected foliage and clean pruning tools to limit spread. Avoid overhead watering, especially in the evening, to reduce rust conditions. Daylily leaf streak causes yellowing and brown streaking along leaf veins; mitigate with good plant spacing and minimal splashing.