DAYLILY
When to Plant: Daylilies may be planted at almost any time of the year, but most growers recommend spring or autumn planting. They require 6-7 hours of sun per day. In milder climates they should not be planted in the shade. In very hot climates the darker colors and shades are best planted to receive morning sun but afternoon shade, otherwise the top layer of pigment can melt. Daylilies can tolerate windy conditions, and do best in conditions of high humidity.
How to Plant: Daylilies are among the easiest of perennials to grow provided their few essential requirements are met, a place in the sun and a fertile soil. Whether a daylily will flourish, depends on how well its planting site is prepared. They grow best in well-drained, but moist, rich, friable loam cultivated to a depth of about 18-24 inches and a pH of about 6. Heavy clay is the soil daylilies lease like due to the poor drainage which may cause roots to rot. They will tolerate chalk, heavy clay or loose, or sandy conditions, provided that a generous amounts of organic matter is incorporated into the soil and used as a mulch. In heavier clay soils, land drains may be needed, or raised beds may be used.
Maintenance: Regular mulching is necessary, supplemented by a balanced fertilizer. This enables the root system to increase in size and remain in the best of health. Water is even more important to the health of a daylily than feeding, however excessive watering can cause daylilies to rot or die. Removal of spent blooms is necessary. Once a scape has finished flowering it should be cut at the ground. Remove decaying dormant foliage as soon as possible. The spent flowers can stain hands and clothing.
HOSTA
When to Plant: Hostas may be planted either in the spring just as the new shoots are emerging, or in late summer or early autumn while the soil is still warm from the summers heat. They should never be planted in the dead of winter, when the roots are inactive, since excessive rain or frost is likely to cause any damaged roots to rot.
How to Plant: The most important factor affecting whether a hosta will flourish, is how well its planting site is prepared. Hostas grow best in rich, friable loam with a pH of 6. In general, they need fertile soil, heavier rather than lighter, and just a little on the acid side of neutral. They will grow perfectly well in alkaline soils, but seldom look happy on shallow, chalky soils. The soil should be moist but well drained. To achieve this, mix the soil at planting time with an abundance of organic matter. The size to which the hosta will grow determines the size of the planting hole, but for large hostas such as Sum and Substance, the planting hole should be as large as for a shrub. Space 18-36 inches apart, depending on the mature size of the plant. Most hostas prefer part to full shade and need shelter from the wind.
Maintenance: Once planted, the hosta should be watered in well, with particular attention paid to its watering over the following months, especially if planted in spring. The ground needs to be kept moist through the growing season. A thick layer of organic mulching material should be placed around the plant in a doughnut ring fashion. Hostas should be fertilized from early spring until mid-summer, with a balanced fertilizer.
