#YouShouldGrowThis: Daylilies make a mid-summer garden shine

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are not true species of lilies, though they are in the lily family. They are originally from cold places in Asia (the Chinese once cultivated them as vegetables),and they are ideally suited to regions thathave short, hot summers and long, coldwinters.

If you're looking for a fabulous, low maintenance perennialthat provides a lot of beauty for not very much work, you should growdaylilies. - Lyndon Penner

Daylilies range from wee dwarves to immense fourfootgiants, all of them forming sizeable clumps of strappy, grass-like leaves and immense clusters of flowers on tall, bare stems calledscapes.

They come in a veritable rainbow of colours (though oranges and golds predominate) and require little once they're established. They enjoy fertility and moisture, but they're highly adaptable, and once established, they're quite drought resistant.

They have no pest or disease issues andare also fairly inexpensive. Whether you've been gardening for years or you're just getting into it, these are the perfect perennials!

Short-lived blooms, long-term pay off

Daylilies are so named because each individual blossom only lasts from 12-24 hours. This may sound undesirable, but in fact daylilies flower for many weeks at a time, and can be expected to have a long season of bloom. They need a sunny spot andthey are very unhappy in shade.

Daylilies are fabulous nectar sources for pollinators both butterflies and hummingbirds are very fond of the blossoms.

So many choices

There are a wide variety of cultivars that exist,some simple and elegant, and others elaborate and unusual. There are some excellent bicolours and some with flowers that are enormous. Afew of them are also fragrant.

If you're looking for a fabulous, low maintenance perennialthat provides a lot of beauty for not very much work, you should grow daylilies.

#YouShouldDoThis

• See whatLyndonshares as his top 3 tips inthe garden for the end of July

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