Originally, from China where the Chinese hybridized the early cultivars to create the most edible variety.  The common orange daylily was introduced into the United States in the late 19th century. It is a very popular plant favored by homeowners and landscape designers for its showy flowers, hardiness, and ability to spread. There are now over 40,000 registered cultivars, many of which likely are or have the potential to become invasive and should be watched.

Why should home gardeners grow DAYLILY (Hemerocallis)

Home gardeners may choose to grow daylilies (Hemerocallis) for a variety of reasons. Daylilies are popular and attractive perennial plants that offer numerous benefits to gardeners. Here are some compelling reasons to grow daylilies in your home garden:

1. Beautiful Blooms: Daylilies are known for their stunning, trumpet-shaped flowers. They come in a wide range of colors and patterns, making them a visually appealing addition to any garden.
2. Low Maintenance: Daylilies are relatively easy to care for and maintain. They are hardy, adaptable, and can thrive in a wide range of soil and weather conditions.
3. Long Blooming Period: Daylilies have an extended blooming period, with each flower typically lasting for one day. However, they produce multiple blooms on each stem and can flower for weeks or even months, providing a prolonged display of color in your garden.
4. Versatile: Daylilies can be used in various garden settings. They work well in borders, flower beds, rock gardens, and even as ground cover. They can be combined with other perennials or used as standalone specimens.
5. Deer Resistant: Daylilies are often less appealing to deer and rabbits, making them a good choice if you have wildlife browsing your garden.
6. Propagation: Daylilies are easy to propagate through division, which allows you to expand your garden or share plants with friends and neighbors.
7. Naturalize: Daylilies can naturalize and spread gradually, creating a low-maintenance ground cover in some areas of your garden.
8. Drought Tolerant: Many daylily varieties are drought-tolerant once established, reducing the need for frequent watering.
9. Attracts Pollinators: Daylilies attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, which can help pollinate other plants in your garden.
10. Hybrid Variety: The world of daylilies includes a vast selection of hybrid varieties. This diversity allows gardeners to choose plants that match their preferred color schemes, sizes, and shapes, adding a unique touch to their garden.
11. Edible Flowers: Some daylily varieties produce edible flowers, which can be used in culinary dishes and salads, adding a decorative and flavorful touch to your meals.
12. Medicinal and Folklore Uses: In traditional medicine, certain daylily species have been used for various purposes. While these uses are not widely recognized, some gardeners may appreciate the historical and cultural significance of these plants.

Hardiness

• Hardy perennial

Edibleness

• All of a daylily is edible raw or cooked.

·       Flowers

• Flowers eaten in salads, picked, breaded, and fried. Dried they are used to flavor soups.

·       Leaves

• Leaves can be used in salads

·       Bulbs

• Bulbs are cooked as a vegetable

Flavor

• Flavor profile varies from sweet and floral to vegetable or slightly metallic, depending on the variety. Always harvest the plumpest buds, just before they open.

How to use

• In Asian cuisine, salads, desserts, deep-fried, or sauteed with garlic and asparagus.

Growing tip

• Best in full sun or light shade in fairly moist, well-drained soil amended with organic matter.