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Day Lilies

CharleyDCharleyD Posts: 440
in Problem solving

I've ignored my day lilies for about 4 years, they've flowered really well but they really have now outgrown the space so it looks like I'm going to have to split them.  Do they split well?  Is it best to do them when they start dying back?  How small do I split them?  

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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,627

    Yes, in fact they should be done every 3 years to renew flowering vigour as their roots can get congested and they just produce leaves.

    Water the clump thoroughly about an hour before then dig it up and split with either your spade or an old bread knife.  I usually split into 3 or 4" chunks and re-plant 9 to 12" apart at the same depth before after improving the soil with some well rotted garden compost or bought multi-purpose compost.  Pot up any spare plants for growing on to plant elsewhere or swap with friends.

    Best done in autumn while the soil is still warm and the roots have time to recover and grow or in spring when the new shoots are just a few inches high and the plants are full of growing energy.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • CharleyDCharleyD Posts: 440

    Thanks Obelixx.  That's really helpful.  I didn't realise I could split them in the spring, which I think I will do so they have the whole summer to establish before facing the winter.  So a spadeful can be split into say 4 pieces?  That's brilliant as I have quite a lot of space to put the split plants into.  I love the day lilies; so hardy, no trouble and lovely flowers :-) 

    Last edited: 13 July 2017 22:03:31

  • IamweedyIamweedy Posts: 1,364

    Mine were dug up and divided earlier this year.  I gave  away loads and stuck the other  bits in the ground  or on the ground where there was any space.

    Those plants are really tough. They  have tubers which  probably helps them in dry weather.  When I put them back in the soil and they just grew again.

    The splitting up was a good idea at the time but until the day lillies flower you don't know which plant is which. I am now photographing each clump as it flowers and trying to lable similar groups to replant together.imageimageimageimage

    Last edited: 13 July 2017 23:59:51




    'You must have some bread with it me duck!'

  • CharleyDCharleyD Posts: 440

    Thanks Iamweedy.  I love the photos!  I can't wait to get started with the dividing now :-)

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