Daylilies are beautiful blooms that, as their name suggests, only last a single day. Despite their 24 hour clock, most daylily varieties have an abundance of buds that will continue blooming fresh new flowers throughout their blooming season.

A popular flower of choice for many, daylilies are easy to grow, tolerate most soil types and grow abundantly. It's no wonder this is a beloved garden bloom! However, this healthy abundant growth creates large bunches over time that need to be divided. Dividing daylilies will ensure your plants stay strong and showy for years to come!

Tools Required

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Congratulations on having an abundance of daylilies! It is now time to spruce things up by dividing them. To help you complete this task, check out this list of recommended tools:

• Spading fork
• Shovel or spade
• Garden gloves
• Sharp knife/Shears

When to Divide Daylilies

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While many gardeners believe that any time of the year will do, early spring and late summer are both favorable times of the year to divide your daylilies.

Early spring division should take place when the new plant growth is just emerging.  Daylilies are eager to grow and the earlier you divide them, the better chance you have at healthy foliage for the year.

To divide daylilies later in the season, wait until the last bloom. You have extra plant material compared to in the spring, which makes it easier to see what you are working with. With this extra plant material, make sure to prune the foliage down to about six inches in length prior to removing it from the ground.

Daylilies are vigorous growers and most varieties will need to be divided every three to four years. To know if it is time to divide, note how well the plants have been growing.  If the daylilies are starting to slow down and reduce their growth, it's a sign that it is time to divide.

How to Divide Daylilies

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With a hardy root system, dividing daylilies while planted can be difficult. If the plant is relatively new, this may be possible, however, it's best to dig up the whole plant and then divide it.

Using a spading fork, loosen the soil around the base of the plant and then gently pull out the entire plant. When removing it from the earth, using a spading fork over a spade is preferable. The spading fork will loosen the soil without cutting the roots and risking damage.

Once removed, shake or use water to get rid of any remaining soil from the clump. After the plant has been cleared of collected soil, separate the clumps. To pull them apart, use a sharp knife or roll the clump back and forth, allowing it to individually divide. Then, gently pull the fans apart to assist in this process. Each new division should have approximately three to four fans of leaves and a healthy sized root system.

Before replanting, make sure to do your pruning duties! Remember to cut back the foliage, leaving about five to six inches left on the plant.

Once daylilies have been separated, plant the individual sections back into the soil with 24 to 30 inches between each. For depth, place the crown (where the roots and shoots merge) about one inch deep and cover with soil.

You have now completed the division process and deserve a pat on the back! But before you walk away, make sure to water the plant well. In addition, it is beneficial to add two to three inches of well-rotted compost to the soil as this will give the plant the boost it needs to recover. You  should also mulch to protect the daylilies from frigid temperatures.

The season after a division will likely not have strong blooms. Therefore, do not worry if this happens to you! The following season you will start to see the benefits of your labor.

All in a Days Work!

With beautiful blooms and low maintenance, daylilies are welcome additions to any garden!

Divide up the daylilies once every three to four years, with the most preferable time of year being spring or late summer. Digging up the entire plant will be the easiest method of division, while ensuring you are protecting the roots with tools like a spading fork and gentle handling.

Now that you have all the tips and tricks, it is time to divide your daylilies and breathe new life into your plants! Will you be dividing daylilies this year? Let us know in the comments below!