Daylily Roots & Bareroots

Take Your Garden to the Next Level With Daylily Roots

A daylily is a flowering plant in the genus Hemerocallis. Despite the common name, it is not in fact a lily flower. These enchanting perennials range in colour from sunny yellows and blushing pinks to deep purples and electric greens. Daylily flowers may be of the classic, graceful trumpet shape or they may have the slender, reaching petals of spider varieties. Because different varieties have different blooming periods, it's possible to enjoy the beauty and charm of these splendid daylily flowers from spring until fall in an ever-changing display of styles and colours.

Daylily FAQs

Are Daylilies a Bulb?

Daylilies do not grow from bulbs; they grow from bare roots. Unlike true bulbs, which have a compact, layered structure, daylilies have fleshy, elongated roots. These roots store nutrients and energy, allowing daylilies to survive harsh conditions and regrow each year.

Are Daylilies Perennials?

Yes, daylilies are perennials, and are hardy in zones as low as Zone 3. That means that daylilies will grow again after winter, except in the very coldest, northernmost regions of the United States. Daylily plants will come back year after year, with added scathes and bigger spread each year. To avoid limited blooms, you can divide your daylily bulbs every few years and plant the divided pieces in soil amended with compost.

In addition to their wonderful hardiness, daylilies are extremely low-maintenance flowers that can be planted in tough spots. Daylilies will happily grow in coarse or low-quality soil, and famously thrive in direct sunlight. Add bright bursts of colour to summer's hottest days with beautiful daylilies.

Where Do Daylilies Grow Best?

Daylily flowers grow best when planted in full sun (6 hours/day), on moist, but well-drained soil. In hot climates, dark-colored cultivars require afternoon shade to help retain their color. When planted in the correct location, daylily bulbs can bloom year after year with little care. Daylily bulbs grow best in hardiness zones 4-9, view our zone finder to make sure daylilies are a good fit for your zone.

Because daylilies come in so many shapes, sizes and colours, there is one to fit any landscaping scheme. Consider your needs and preferences when looking to buy daylilies online. Smaller, compact types are ideal for borders, lining sidewalks or in low flower beds. Because of their long, slender, grasslike leaves, taller varieties of daylily plants are perfect for planting amongst ornamental grasses or for placement at the back of a yard or flower bed. Daylilies are an excellent choice for planting on berms as, once established, their roots tend to keep soil in place and discourage erosion.

Do Daylilies Spread?

Daylily roots can quickly spread into larger clumps, and if they become too crowded they do not bloom as well. To avoid limited blooms, you can divide your daylilies every few years and plant the divided pieces in soil amended with compost.

When Should You Buy Daylilies?

Daylilies can be planted at any time that the ground can be worked, so you'll see gardeners planting these flowers in spring, fall, or even summer. However, we find that the best-performing daylilies are planted in fall. Fall planting gives the rhizomes time to settle into their new location, "waking up" in the springtime. So, most of our daylilies ship in fall.

To make daylily ordering easier, we ship your bulbs at the exact right time to plant—no storage or waiting around required. When you order daylily bulbs online from Breck's, they'll arrive at the right planting time for your zone. We recommend getting your bulbs into the ground as soon as possible after their arrival, but you can store them in a cool, dry place if needed.

To learn more about planting and growing daylily roots, check out our full daylily care guide.