Day lilies adapt well to Utah's climate

Hemerocallis is such an interesting label. While you may not recognize this Latin title, it is the name for the common day lily.

The name, which comes from the Greek words meaning "beauty" and "day," refers to the fact that each flower lasts only one day.

So why would a flower that lasts one day take the gardening world by storm?

While most gardeners are familiar with the common, orange day lily, plant breeders have been manipulating the plant's genetics since the 1930s. These manipulations have produced some outstanding results. A recent check with the American Hemerocallis Society's official register lists 55,921 varieties. Few — if any other flower — even approaches that number.

Doug Colby, president of the Utah Hemerocallis Society, and his wife, Ann, are two enthusiastic promoters of this flower. The couple, who have gardened together since they got married, said they like day lilies because they're easy to grow.

Doug Colby first got bitten by the Hemerocallis bug because of his brother in California who "is big into day lilies."

"We visited him and started bringing back starts," Colby said. "I thought he was over the top because he had little 'pet' tags on all his plants. Growing day lilies is sort of a hobby we fell into. I never intended to go overboard like he (Colby's brother) did, but we now have 200-300 day lilies in our garden."

"Day lilies are popular in Utah because they tolerate our climate, soils and other conditions," Colby said. "Day lilies grow in a wide range of soils, from sand to heavy clay, and in a wide range of soil pH."

Be assured the plant is not a one-day wonder. The plants are covered with many flower buds on each stalk. Each plant has many stalks, so the flowering period of a clump is usually several weeks. Some cultivars have an even more extended flowering period.

"It is sort of like Christmas because every day it is like a different garden. Just knowing that you are going to have these exciting new blossoms in your garden each day makes you want to get out there," he said, adding it's one more reason to get out in the garden and drag the hose around.

Colby, who said his garden was designed with family in mind, has passed his love of day lilies on to his son, who has a day lily garden of his own. And teaching children to enjoy the garden is a priority to the Colbys. "Anytime you can get kids into the garden it is a good thing," Colby said.

Day lilies prefer full sun if possible but will grow well providing they get at least at least six hours of direct sun a day. Many varieties with darker-colored flowers keep their color better in partial shade during the hottest part of the day.