Q&A for How to Divide and Transplant Daylilies

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  • Question
    How do I prepare daylilies for winter?
    Jovace Nelson
    Landscaping Expert
    Jovace Nelson is a Landscaping Expert and the CEO of Vacetime, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Vacetime, launched in 2018, is an agricultural building management service. Jovace and his team specialize in creating custom landscaping makeover services for both residential and commercial properties, living walls, and environmental education. Jovace studied Business and Management at Penn State University.
    Landscaping Expert
    Expert Answer
    I suggest pruning within three to four inches of the ground. If it's too low, they'll get disease, and if it's too high, they'll die, so 3 to 4 inches is my rule of thumb. Also, remember to remove and dispose of all pruned foliage.
  • Question
    Can I store the daylily bulbs for a couple of days before I replant them?
    Community Answer
    Yes.
  • Question
    What is the best time of year to divide and transfer daylily plants?
    Community Answer
    This depends on whether you are in a cool growing zone or a warm growing zone. The best time for cool zones is August. Warmer zones can be transplanted a bit later. The key is to give them enough time to establish themselves in their new space before the ground gets too cold.
  • Question
    Can I store my daylillies over the winter?
    Community Answer
    I have and they are looking good, even had some green shoots already showing. We stored them in the garage over the winter. We stored them in open totes with lots of soil. We had dug them up in October to move some to our new home and just planted them today. We live in Ohio.
  • Question
    I have taken a bunch of day lilies from the side of the road. How do I transplant them?
    Community Answer
    Take the plant apart, each bulb will make a plant. Divide the bulbs and plant each bulb a couple of inches apart. It will take a couple of years for them to produce flowers.
  • Question
    When do I transplant my daylilies?
    Community Answer
    You should transplant your daylillies in early spring or early fall, although they will tolerate transplanting at any time of the year.
  • Question
    Living in Iowa, can I transplant my daylilies in the middle of April?
    Community Answer
    Yes. You may not get any or as many blooms the year you transplant, depending on the time between transplanting and the bloom time for your type of daylily. They will have plenty of time to set before winter, though.
  • Question
    What do I do if the leaves of my daylilies have turned yellow after transplanting?
    Community Answer
    The plants will recover from the shock of transplanting. Keep them moist in the meantime.
  • Question
    How far back do I need to cut my daylilies if I want to cut them back in the fall?
    Community Answer
    I live in Zone 3A and have cut mine to about 6"; I use the leaves and stalks as mulch over the winter, raking the mulch off in either late April or early May.
  • Question
    How do I transplant my daylilies? Can I store them over the winter?
    Community Answer
    Daylilies don't need to be in storage. Just leave them in the ground, cut them back in the fall so they are ready for the spring.
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