Gardening for Your Table

Dayliles are the perfect "No Fuss" Sun loving perennial that have made a fast come back. A wide range are available, from tried & true favourites to new colours and dwarf growing forms.

Get with the trend; introduce daylilies into your garden.

Daylilies are very tough, non demanding & long flowering. Very easy care for a multitude of garden situations, these wonderful sun loving perennials enhance many garden styles; Native, Tropical, Cottage, Coastal, Rose gardens, around ponds and more.Available in an array of colours, from soft pastels right through to bright tropical colours, as well as many flower shapes and sizes.

General Care: Keep garden beds well mulched to help suppress water loss.Remove spent flower heads and any dying leaves. Cut back foliage during Winter time.

PLANTING:

-WHEN: All year round, but for best results plant in Autumn, Spring and early Summer.

-WHERE: A well drained site with full sun for at least half of the day.

-SOIL PREPARATION: Although daylilies are tolerant of most soils we recommend incorporating Kings Compost and Kings Blood & Bone before planting.

-PLANTING DEPTH:Take care not to plant too deeply. Just cover the crown by digging a shallow hole, mound soil up in the middle of it then splay roots over it. Sprinkle soil over the roots making sure there are no air pockets.

WATERING: New plantings should be watered in well, then mulched with Peastraw. During flowering water regularly for quality of blooms.

FEEDING:Apply an all purpose fertiliser such as Kings Organic Sheep pellets in September & March.

DIVIDING AND REPLANTING: For the good of the plant, after 3 years clumps will require dividing.This will ensure optimum flower size, quality & quantities of blooms are maintained.It is also a great way to further landscape and mass plant your daylilies.Simply dig up in April/May or Sept/Oct. Remove excess soil and wash so the roots of the clump can easily be seen. Cut foliage back to 20cm.Using a sharp knife cut the clump into two or three divisions.Remember to incorporate Kings Organic Compost & Blood & Bone before re planting.

PESTS AND DISEASES: Not many pests bother Daylilies at all. However it is best to keep a look out for any signs of Aphids, Thrips & Spider mites.

-Aphids:Clusters of fleshy green insects usually found around the buds & up the flower stem. Pimple effect on the petals as well as a sticky clear substance are all signs of Aphids. Control with a broad spectrum insecticide such as Yates Mavrik.

-Thrips: Rough lesions on stems and newly opening buds. A silvery sheen is also apparent. Control with a broad spectrum insecticide such as Yates Mavrik.

-Spider mite:Leaves loose their colour and become very pale. Control: Mites love hot, dry conditions. Watering regularly during hot spells will help to prevent infestation. Mist the leaves with water - (either last thing at night or first thing in the morning.) Spray with Yates Mavrik.