5 Must-Have Daylilies For Your Garden!

Charlotte Weidner | February 14, 2026

With grassy arching blades and masses of 24-hour blooms, Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are unique perennials with a survivalist skill set that will make an action hero jealous!

Extensive breeding and crossing have brought forth many new diploid, triploid, and tetraploid selections that are hard to beat! These bunching perennials can handle almost anything! Check out the five most popular varieties of Daylilies at Nature Hills that you need for your landscape!

The NatureHills.com Top 5 Daylilies!

#5 Rainbow Rhythm® Daylilies
#4 Primal Scream Daylily
#3 Going Bananas Daylily
#2 Purple de Oro Daylily
#1 Chicago Apache Daylily
Honorable Mention:

Daylilies in the Landscape
Dreamy Daylilies!

The NatureHills.com Top 5 Daylilies!

While not true Lilies, Perennial Daylilies used to just be orange or yellow, but today offerings have broadened their color and size horizons in many delightful ways! Now there are bold purple and plums, peachy/coral/pinks, light and deep red to burgundy/maroons, and even a couple of white offerings like Ice Carnival and Sunday Gloves!

There are extremely cold-hardy Daylilies for those that can handle up to zone 10 heat!

#5 Rainbow Rhythm® Daylilies

The entire line of Rainbow Rhythm® Daylilies is gorgeous two-tone blooms with ruffled edges. They include the Storm Shelter with its deep plummy purple two-tone blooms with lighter petal edges and yellow throats. Tiger Swirl Daylily features shocking deep yellow blooms with a bold central chevron of deep red on each long, curvy petal. Lastly, Orange Smoothie Daylily has broad, soft orange cream petals with a darker orange stripe and yellow centers. Each petal has a lovely rippled edge and pink stripe down the center mid-rib!

Hardy Selections USDA zones 3-9
Up to 2 Feet Wide and 32 Inches Tall
Dramatic and Unexpected Color and Form

#4 Primal Scream Daylily

Photos can’t do this incredibly showy and saturated orange/red bloom with slightly rippled petal edges. Growing over 3 feet tall and spreading about 2 feet wide, the huge 8-9 inch, tangerine orange spider-form flowers made the 2003 Stout Medal Winner.

Long Slightly-Rippled Petals
Incredibly Shocking Tangerine Orange Color
Spider-Form Daylily

#3 Going Bananas Daylily

Luscious pale yellow blooms with wide petals and saturated through and through color! The dense green foliage of this sun-lover is hard to notice because of the wave after wave of repeat blooms!

Glowing Saturated Pale Yellow Blooms
Highly Adaptable in Containers, Window boxes, and Planters
Evergreen Foliage in Mild Climates

#2 Purple de Oro Daylily

The Stella de Oro was a groundbreaking Daylily variety; now there’s the Purple de Oro! Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 2 to 9, and growing up to 2 feet tall and wide.

Exotic Rosy-Purple-Lavender Blooms with Yellow Throat
Grows in Harsh Sun and Tolerates Humidity
Reblooming Variety Gives Summer Color

#1 Chicago Apache Daylily

Deep, rich, velvety red with a green throat, this perennial is carefree and very resistant to Daylily rust. Heat, cold, drought, salt, and even pollution-tolerant - Chicago Apache handles it all!

Blooms June through August
Rich Velvety Russet Red & Green Throat
Dependable Perennial Performs Every Year
Very Compact in Size

Honorable Mention:

My personal favorite out of all these Daylilies is the Lavender Blue Baby! Ruffled petal edges with two-tone lavender and plum blooms with a green center. These big, broad-petalled blooms look like luscious pinwheels!

Daylilies in the Landscape

Where can Daylilies be used in the garden? Anywhere there is sun and well-drained soil! They’re space-saving, bold, and elegant, some are even scented!

A long-lasting rebloomer, you’ll get months of color from these grassy green fountains of slender strappy foliage! Look for reblooming varieties and know that after the first round of flowers, it is super important to remove the entire flowering stems that just finished right down to the ground. By removing the old blooms and stems, you will encourage new flowering stems to be produced later in summer or fall.

Always remove all foliage to the ground after the plants have been exposed to frost and are dormant to prevent foliage disease from overwintering with the plants.

Amazing for Firewise landscapes!
Drought-tolerant once established
Fine-textured edging and facer plants
Drifts and low-growing rows, swaths, and banks
Erosion control on hillsides and slopes
Containers and planters
Mixed Perennial borders, Cottage gardens, and general garden use!
Pollinator and Cut Flower Gardens
Juglone-tolerant

Check out everything you need to know about caring for and transplanting your Daylilies to maintain their vigor and longevity!

Did you know that Daylily blooms are edible? Sauté or stuff them and fry them, or sprinkle the petals into a salad! They are a pretty garnish for plating and drinks, too!

Dreamy Daylilies!

Must-have garden workhorses, there’s something about the incredible Daylily! Cold-hardy and easy to grow, any Daylily is a gorgeous Daylily! Check out all the fantastic varieties available at Nature Hills!

Happy Planting!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are daylilies perennials that come back every year?

Yes, daylilies (Hemerocallis) are true perennials that return reliably year after year, with most varieties hardy across USDA zones 3 through 9 and some tolerating heat up to zone 10. They are exceptionally tough plants with a survivalist skill set, forming expanding clumps of grassy arching foliage that re-emerge each spring. To keep them performing at their best, divide overcrowded clumps every 3 to 5 years in early spring or fall to rejuvenate blooming and spread their beauty to new areas of your garden.

How hardy are daylilies in cold climates, and can they survive frost?

Daylilies are remarkably cold-hardy perennials, with many selections rated for USDA zones 3 through 9, meaning they can withstand the deep freezes of northern climates without much fuss. As true survivalists, they die back to the ground in winter and reliably return each spring, making frost a non-issue for established plants. For the best cold-climate performance, look to varieties like the Rainbow Rhythm® series, which are bred specifically for hardiness in zones 3-9, and plant them in a well-drained location to prevent root rot during freeze-thaw cycles.

Are daylilies toxic to dogs, and are they safe to plant in a pet-friendly garden?

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are generally considered non-toxic to dogs, though they can cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in large quantities. It is important to note that true lilies such as Easter Lily and Tiger Lily are extremely dangerous to cats, but daylilies pose a much lower risk to canine companions. If you have both dogs and cats, exercise extra caution and consider placing daylilies in areas your cats cannot access. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian and supervise pets around any new plantings in your garden.

Can you transplant daylilies while they are blooming without harming them?

Transplanting daylilies while they are in bloom is generally not recommended, as the stress of being moved can cause buds to drop and diminish the plant's energy reserves. The best time to divide and transplant daylilies is in early spring before growth begins or in late summer to early fall after blooming has finished, giving roots time to establish before winter. If you must move them during bloom, water the plant deeply the day before, dig with as large a root ball as possible, replant immediately, and keep the soil consistently moist to give your daylily the best chance of recovery.

How much sunlight do daylilies need to bloom their best?

Daylilies perform best in full sun, receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, which encourages the most abundant blooming and the most saturated flower colors. While they can tolerate partial shade, reduced sun exposure typically means fewer blooms and less vibrant color. For gardeners in warmer climates like zones 8 through 10, some afternoon shade can actually protect blooms and extend their daily display. Plant your daylilies in your sunniest garden spot and avoid dense shade from overhead trees or structures to get the full show these tough perennials are capable of delivering.

What is the best time of year to plant daylilies: spring, summer, or fall?

Daylilies are remarkably adaptable and can be planted in spring, summer, or fall, though spring and early fall are the ideal windows in most growing zones. Spring planting gives roots time to establish before summer heat, while early fall planting, at least 6 weeks before your first frost, allows the same advantage before winter dormancy. Avoid planting in the peak heat of midsummer in zones 7 and above, as stress can hinder establishment. Choose spring planting if you are in a colder zone like 3 or 4, and aim to get your plants in the ground as soon as the soil is workable.

How far apart should daylilies be spaced when planting them in a garden bed?

Daylilies should generally be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart for standard varieties, though larger growers like Primal Scream, which spreads up to 2 feet wide, may benefit from spacing closer to 24 to 30 inches to allow for mature spread. Proper spacing ensures good air circulation, reduces disease pressure, and gives each clump room to naturalize and multiply over time. When planting, dig your hole wide enough to spread the roots comfortably and position the crown just about an inch below the soil surface for best establishment.

How deep should you plant daylily crowns and roots for healthy growth?

Daylily crowns should be planted about 1 inch below the soil surface, with the roots spread outward and downward into a shallow hole wide enough to accommodate their natural spread. Planting too deep can inhibit blooming, while planting too shallow can expose the crown to drying out or frost heave. For best results, plant in spring or fall when temperatures are mild, firm the soil gently around the roots, and water thoroughly to settle the planting and eliminate air pockets.

What type of soil do daylilies grow best in, and how important is drainage?

Daylilies are remarkably adaptable and will grow in a wide range of soil types, from sandy loam to heavier clay, as long as the soil is well-draining. Standing water and soggy conditions are the one thing that can truly set these tough perennials back, potentially causing root rot and poor performance. For best results, amend heavy clay soils with compost before planting to improve drainage and fertility, and aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0 and 6.5. If your soil is prone to waterlogging, plant daylilies in raised beds or on a slight slope to keep their roots healthy and blooming season after season.

How do you care for daylilies after they finish blooming to encourage more flowers?

After daylilies finish a bloom cycle, deadhead spent flowers by snapping or cutting them off at the base of the stem to keep the plant tidy and redirect energy toward new buds. Once an entire flower stalk has finished blooming, cut it down to the base of the foliage to encourage reblooming varieties like Going Bananas and Purple de Oro to push out another flush of flowers. In late fall, cut the foliage back to about 3 to 4 inches above the ground after the first hard frost to prepare the plant for winter. Feed your daylilies with a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring and again mid-summer to fuel the best repeat bloom performance.