When choosing plants for flowerbeds exposed to the East Texas sun, consider Hemerocallis or daylilies. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes, are easy to maintain and, over time, will form clusters that can be divided to transplant or share.
Daylilies do well in partial shade but perform best with at least six hours of sunlight a day. Preferably this sun exposure will be early in the day, followed by afternoon shade.
It is best to plant daylilies in the fall so they have time to become well established before the heat of summer arrives. Dig soil to a depth of 12 to 18 inches. Mix any amendments, such as compost, to the soil then return most of it to the hole. Mound it up to form the shape of a pyramid. Spread out the daylily's roots and place it atop the pyramid. Then cover the plant with soil so that its crown is about one inch below the surface. Firm the soil, water the plant generously, and trim its foliage to help it compensate for water loss while it's becoming established. A good layer of mulch will help keep it moist.
Daylilies should be fertilized once in the spring when they begin their new growth and once at the end of the summer. They should receive about one inch of water a week; be careful not to over-water as daylilies don't like to have their roots immersed for any length of time. Keeping your daylilies mulched will conserve water and help eliminate weeds.
By following these simple guidelines, you will receive many of years of enjoyment from these beautiful and trouble-free plants.
Sam Trant, Smith County Master Gardener
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