Daylilies are one of my favorite perennial plants. They are pretty, hardy and very easy to take care of. They have arching, sword shaped leaves and lily shaped flowers that come in all shades of yellow, orange, red and more. They grow to a height of about 18 inches usually and are best placed in the middle of the flower bed. Daylilies are called this because their large lily-like blooms only last one day, however, the next day there will be a new bloom right next to the old one on the same stem.

Daylilies will grow in all zones and like full sun, but if your area is very hot, plant them in semi shade. They will usually adapt to any type of soil. They need quite a bit of water during bloom and should be fed with complete fertilizer during spring and summer.

When your daylily plant starts looking crowded and the base is pretty large, it’s probably time to divide it. This is a great time to share with your friends and family. Just dig it up and pull (or whack) it apart. It will take some forceful pulling (maybe even some wrestling) to get the roots apart. It’s a tough plant, so don’t worry too much about hurting it. The best time for this is in early spring or late fall.

Daylilies look beautiful planted near Shasta Daisies or Poker plant. They do well on banks, near pools in the flower bed, and in containers. You can even try them in the vegetable garden planted near some salad ingredients.

The petals are edible and are very tasty. They are crisp and sweet like lettuce and go very well in tossed salads, not only for flavor and texture, but to make the salad pretty.

Even though the blooms only last one day, they still make great cut flowers because the buds are in clusters on one stem. This means one stem with 5 or 6 buds will probably last a week in a vase provided the water is changed daily.

If you don’t have a daylily yet and are looking for easy and rewarding plants, I recommend you get one (or two, or three). Before you buy one, check to see if your family and friends have a plant that needs dividing. This way, when you look at the plant in the future, you’ll have a pleasant memory of who gave it to you.

For more gardening inspiration, check out The Gardening Tips E-book! You’ll learn about compost, starting new plants, rose care & tips, whimsical planter ideas & yard decor, raised bed gardening, garden recipes, plant recommendations, pond care, and much, much more! Get Monica’s FREE e-zine! Each issue includes a home & garden article, delicious recipes and more! Send a blank e-mail to: HomemakersJournal-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Prepare for Winter with a Rosy Outlook

(NC)-For many gardeners rose bushes are a prized possession. As the gardening season comes to a close, it’s time to prepare your roses for the cold, harsh Canadian winter ahead. Knowing the best feeding and prepping techniques will ensure your cherished roses survive the winter and bloom beautifully in the spring.

Proper feeding is the first step in putting healthy roses to bed for the winter. Remember to continue feeding the plants every seven to 14 days with a specially formulated plant food for roses, such as Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Rose Plant Food 18-24-6. Once temperatures fall below 1°, switch to plant food containing only phosphorus and potassium to help strengthen the plant over the winter.

Other preparation secrets include proper cleaning, pruning and inspection to ensure roses are strong, as well as insect and disease-free. Here are some more simple tips to prepare your roses for the fall and winter:

Canadian readers wishing more information about roses can speak with a Scotts Garden Expert call 1-866-436-8477 or visit www.Scotts.ca.

Credit: www.newscanada.com