Hemerocallis sp.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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These hardy perennials have large and attractive blooms that are similar to lily flowers. Probably one of the easiest perennial flowers to grow, the daylily will tolerate most soil conditions, has few pests, is disease resistant, and can survive for fairly long periods without watering. What most people do not realise is that day lilies are actually cultivated as food crops in some countries, such as China and Japan. All parts of the plants are edible though it is the flowers that are most frequently used. Daylilies grow best when planted in full sun to partial shade. Daylilies will grow in most soil types, but like any other plant, they prefer a soil that is neither too hard or too sandy. Plants prefer a neutral to slightly acid soil and will be unhappy in very acid or alkaline soils. Be sure the place you want to plant has good drainage. Plants increase by forming new shoots from the roots. Propagation is exceedingly simple. The seed of cultivars will not usually breed true to type, the seedlings displaying a mixture of characteristics from the parents of the cultivar. Division is very easy, and this is the only way of ensuring that named cultivars remain true.