daylilies
Hemerocallis sp.
daylilies (Hemerocallis sp.) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 12–36 in tall and 6–24 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Fire-wise zone 1-2 perennial; ignitability rating 10.0/10.
On the CSFS firewise listlow to medium water12–36 in tall and 6–24 in wideXeric / water-wiseZones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: "Starr 070302-4922 Hemerocallis sp." by Forest & Kim Starr is licensed under CC BY 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
- Photo 2: "Hemerocallis sp 03" is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 3: "Hemerocallis sp 02" is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 4: Forest & Kim Starr, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY)
- Photo 5: "Hemerocallis Sp." by Francis Bourgouin is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 6: "Hemerocallis sp. (day lily) (Newark, Ohio, USA) 14" by James St. John is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 12–36 in tall and 6–24 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~17–24 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid summer
- Bloom color
- yellow, red
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Planting & establishment
Deep-water first season to establish, then minimal water needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is daylilies good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, daylilies is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does daylilies get?
- It matures to about 12–36 in tall and 6–24 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant daylilies?
- Space daylilies about 17 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 24 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is daylilies hardy on the Front Range?
- daylilies is hardy in USDA 3–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does daylilies need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is daylilies native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is daylilies deer-resistant?
- daylilies is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is daylilies a good firewise plant near the house?
- daylilies is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does daylilies bloom?
- daylilies blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
