Propagation

Once you've tried growing even a few daylilies you're bound to want more. The best way to propagate daylilies is through division; it can be a bit of a task, but the results make it worth the effort. Not only will you have new daylilies for your garden, the clumps you divide will enjoy renewed health and vigor.

After a few years, most established clumps of daylilies need to be divided. This can be done in either spring or fall. The advantage of dividing in the spring is that the ground is usually soft and easy to work, the plants are in a growth period and will recover quickly, and there isn't a lot of foliage to deal with so you can see what you're doing.

The advantage of dividing in the fall is that summer blooming is over, so the new plants can put all their energy into producing strong roots. If you opt for fall division, make sure you give the plants a full six weeks to get settled in before the temperatures plunge.

How to divide a clump

The best method is to dig up the entire clump. Remember that daylily root systems are large and vigorous, so take your time and be prepared for some serious digging. Lift or roll the clump out of the hole and remove enough soil so you can clearly see where the crown is located. Though the clump can be simply cut in two with a sharp shovel or blade, this method does a lot of damage to the roots.

A better method is to pry the clump apart with a garden fork. This takes longer but does less damage to the roots. Once the clump has been divided into two parts, you can continue to divide into smaller sections.

After dividing, apply a fungicide to any wounds made to the roots. If there are leaves on the clumps, cut them back by about half their length; this will reduce the demand for water and will create less stress for the plants, which need to put all their strength into redeveloping their roots.

Plant the divisions as promptly as possible after dividing.

Wintering Over - some simple winter care is all it takes

Daylilies don't require a lot of winter care, but a few simple steps can make your plants grow better and bloom more.

The plants will die back in early fall. Don't remove the dead foliage - it will act as an insulator.

Winter Mulch: Covering your daylilies with a thick layer ( six to twelve inches) of straw or hay can help them get through a cold northern winter without damage. Get this mulch layer in place before the ground freezes and leave it on till early spring. This is particularly important for new or recently divided daylilies.

If you're growing daylilies in pots, the procedure is a little different. After all the foliage has died, trim back potted daylilies to about two inches above the rim of the container.

Cover the pot with a commercially available insulating blanket and stow it in a protected cold, dry place.