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The Kitchen Table

Is it too late for transplanting day lilies?

15 years ago

I've got a fairly large clump on the west side of the house. We never go around there except to mow. I would like to move it to the front of the driveway circle where I have had a little half circle flower garden in the past. I didn't get anything done with it this year. It has one large hosta growing in the middle in front of a bird bath. I'd like to put the day lilies on each side. Thinking if I can do it this year, it would have it roots well grounded and ready for blooming next year. It is one of those standard golden yellow ones with the short stems and shorter leaves.

patti

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Comments (8)

carol_in_california
15 years ago
I hope someone answers soon....I have been wondering the same thing this weekend.
gazania_gw
15 years ago
No it is not too late. In fact in my zone 5, it is actually a little early. After the blooming is completely done is the best time to divide and plant.
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Too late to transplant?
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You can transplant and there is no way of knowing for sure if the plants will bloom or not. If your digging up the entire clump and just setting it into a new hole in the CG, then they should be fine. If your dividing and planting bareroot plants then it is a gamble. I've planted and divided bareroots in June and they bloomed later in the season. Just be sure when you replant to water them in well but don't overwater to the point of drowning them. Julia
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It's been my experience that no matter how much soil you intend to take with them, ultimately some of the roots get cut, damaged, or exposed to the air. I tried moving a skinny two foot high Saskatoon that had lots of small roots, but a couple of long roots that ended up being cut. This was in late summer. By the time I got it out of it's spot it was basically "bare root" as the soil clump fell off. It was a real nightmare. Most of the top growth shrivelled, then died, it sprouted from near the base, but in the end it didn't survive winter. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I moved an elder shrub this spring that was one year old, with no ill effects whatsoever. In fact you could still see the square shape root ball with new roots coming off this. It was early in the season though and the roots weren't yet very spread out. It's really a gamble I suppose depending on how old the plant is, the size of roots, the time of year, etc. Two year old Saskatoons are likely still "transplantable" at the right time of year. Glen
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its called winter heave ... you can do it in spring also ... its near impossible to kill these things .... i think i have done it in august.. with no water.. lol ... they werent happy about it.. but they didnt die .... and i would also not do more than cutting a clump in half.. or thirds ... if you insist on flowers next year .... there used to be a very active daylily forum .... if you want more advice ... ken
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We have had good success moving them early in the season (before they get too big and before scapes appear) with a root ball attached. We didn't divide, just moved the whole clump. They seem not to notice that they were moved and just go on growing.
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pattico_gw
Original Author
15 years ago
I think this one is done...it has those big pods on the end of it's stems now...and I don't see anymore buds.

I thought they bloomed longer.
Linda Wayman
15 years ago
It ought to be okay Patti. Daylillies are pretty tough. I planted some the last part of June that was dug up from a friend's yard. Of course they didn't bloom this year, but they do have little green stems coming up among the dried up looking part that was dug up. We've had a terribly hot summer and very little rain. I'm going to plant some more about the middle of August.

Linda
santacltr2
15 years ago
I move mine in zone 5 when ever I feel I need to. I've moved some when they were blooming. They are tough. Just make sure you move them with the dirt if blooming.

Nancy
sandy_in_ia
15 years ago
Dean moves ours around whenever they are not in bloom...probably better in the fall, but they will live through it.
peoniesandposies
15 years ago
Daylilies are one of the toughest plants around. It's best to move them after they have finished blooming for the year, however, they can be moved at anytime! Dig them up, divide them if desired, and then plant them. Just make sure you keep their roots mulched and well watered for the rest of this summer.

Most daylilies are not repeat bloomers. The small orange stella d'oro and its cousin the newer yellow d'oro will bloom continually. However, they always have a huge flush of blooms in midsummer and then will just send up much fewer flower stalks now and again the rest of the summer.

I also recommend deadheading or at least just picking off the seed pods as they form. It helps keep that clump healthy.

I love daylilies!
grammahony
15 years ago
I'm late getting here and seeing this, but peonies said what I would have said. I always pick the dead blossoms off of everything. My DD is going to come get some of mine as soon as they're done blooming.
Leslie

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