HOSTAS LILIES DAYLILIES
Growing Fabulous Hostas
Hostas are often described as the perfect perennial. They are easy to grow, shade tolerant and attractive with beautiful foliage and lovely flowers. They originated in the Far East and found their way to North America in the mid 1800’s. They are ideally suited for most of Canada as they are hardy to zone 3 and require a cold weather period.
Location
Preparing a proper location ensures best possible performance. Although shade loving, hostas require sunlight to thrive. The ideal location supplies morning sun and dappled afternoon shade. Full hot afternoon sun will burn plants. Another locational point is making sure your plant has room to grow. Allow plenty of room as a confined plant will not thrive. A general rule of thumb is 36 inch spacing for large cultivars, 24 inches for medium, 12 -18 inches for small and 6-8 inches for the dwarf varietie. If you really want to accentuate a specimen increase even further.
Soils
Although hostas are quite soil tolerant they will do best in well drained nutrient rich soil. Mixing compost with your soil is always a great idea. Cultivate your hole 12-16 inches deep.
Planting
Check the roots of your newly arrived division. If they are fairly dry soak in tepid water for 30 minutes or so. You are now ready to plant your new “baby”. Form a cone from the cultivated soil in the hole to drape the roots over. You want the soil level to be where the leaves and roots meet (crown). Firm the soil over the roots to make sure good soil contact and no air pockets. Water well and keep watered till establishes.
Fertilizing
You can encourage your hosta to thrive with proper and timely fertilizer applications. Let your new hosta get rooted before fertilizing (other than mixing time release fertilizer in the soil if you wish). Do not apply fertilizer on new growth, eyes or leaves. If some gets on these parts don’t panic, just wash off with water. We don’t recommend fertilizing after mid July as it will encourage new growth which could be frost bitten. Once established a typical fertilization program would be applying a balanced granular fertilizer (13-13-13, 10-10-10 or 5-10-5) in early spring, mid May and mid July. Another method is an initial granular fertilization followed by a water soluble fertilization after the leaves have emerged. Another method is applying time release fertilizer. Always follow label instructions.
Water
New plantings should be well watered till established. Once established hostas can go several weeks till requiring water. Hopefully normal rainfall will take care of this. In high heat and drought periods plants will require one inch a week.
Pests
Although very hardy hostas are not totally pest free. Slugs, snails, deer, rabbits and rodents can all be a problem. Slugs and snails are probably the biggest pest. They love those succulent leaves. They are easily controlled with a monthly application of slug bait. Be sure to follow directions. Beer traps work well. Take a flat shallow container like a jar lid and place it level with the soil. Fill with beer. Slugs will crawl into the new found pub and quickly proceed to drown. Spreading diatomaceous earth around plants is effective. It cuts their mucous covering and they dry out. Checking under boards or wet newspaper laid on the ground overnight should produce many of the culprits. Kill the slugs by dropping into a 20% ammonia solution. Controlling deer is a real challenge. All we can suggest is trying the various repellents available. One suggestion is keeping your dog around the garden at night. Fencing is also an alternative. Voles burrow into the roots chewing them off and even chewing the basal plate. If you suspect voles dig up the plant and the damage will give them away. They are controlled using poison seed developed for this use.
The above guidelines should help in producing vigorous thriving hostas. These methods work for us but results may vary for you because of differing conditions .Experiment to find out what works best for you. If you come up with a great idea let us know and we will feature it.
Growing Fabulous Daylilies
Daylilies (hemerocallis) are renowned for being tough, adaptable, vigorous easy to grow perennials. They adapt to most conditions including drought. However the more ideal the conditions the more they will thrive. Daylilies have become “The” most popular perennial. Hardy to zone 3 they are perfect for most of Canada. As the name implies individual flowers only last a day. However they produce large numbers of buds and flowers over a long period of time.
Location
Daylilies are quite adaptive but require at least 6 hrs of sunlight. Full sun is best. Dark colored varieties appreciate some shade protection during high heat periods. Try to avoid planting near competition such as trees and shrubs.
Soil
Although not terribly fussy about soil, well drained loam is optimum. Mixing compost into any soil is a great idea. Daylilies like organic matter. Soil ph is best at 6.2-6.8. Daylilies prefer good drainage so soil amendments such as compost, peat moss or sand are recommended.
Planting
Have your ground worked and amended. Planting can take place spring thru early fall. Fall plants need to be in the ground at least 3 weeks prior to freezing weather. Mulching is suggested. Spring plants should be planted after the ground has thawed and the threat of hard frosts has passed. Your new divisions should be soaked in tepid water for a couple of hours before planting. Adding rooting hormone to the water is a real boost. Plant divisions as soon as possible. Plants should be spaced as follows : large and medium flowers 18-30 inches, small and miniature 16-24 inches and 12-18 inches in a closed bed or border. Form a mound of your dug soil so it is about one inch above ground level. Dig a hole in the centre of the mound large enough for the plants root system. Be sure the crown ( the point where the leaves and roots meet ) is buried no more than one inch. By keeping the soil slightly mounded you are providing drainage way from the crown. Your new plants need watering for the first month but after that an inch per week is perfect. If mother nature doesn’t supply this than give them two half inch waterings per week.
Pests
Pests are seldom a problem. Most only do minor damage. Common pests are aphids, spider mites and thrips. Organic and chemical sprays are available for control. Be sure to follow instructions precisely.
Disease
They are seldom a problem. By following proper garden procedures most diseases are controlled. If you summer mulch be sure it is pulled away in early spring and late fall. Proper use of fungicides can control most problems. Daylily rust is a relatively new disease that can be controlled with fungicides. Please consult locally with a pro on fungicide use.
Mulch
Mulch is really loved by daylilies. Mulching adds organic material, retains moisture and helps prevent weeds. Remember to pull away at least and inch from the crown in spring and fall.
Dividing
Daylily clumps should be dug up and divided every 3-5 years. InCanada spring is best but can be done right through until early fall. Divisions need to be planted at least a month before hard frost. Allowing daylilies to become overgrown results in poor flowering and poor plant health. Divide clumps by digging, washing and then separating divisions by untangling roots. Sometimes cutting with a sharp sterile knife is required. Let divisions dry for several hours or overnight. Plant as above.
Overwintering
Daylilies overwinter well but a little TLC goes a long way. Pull mulch back at least an inch. Leave the dead daylily foliage (unless has small black fungal spots – remove and destroys it is scelerotia the overwintering stage of leaf spot fungi ) . Mulch 2 – 6 inches deep and pull back from crown.
Beautiful Asiatic and Oriental Lilies
Lilies are easy to grow, have beautiful flowers and are hardy throughout most of Canada (zone 3). They are fairly carefree and will grow into a large cluster of flowering stems. Lilies grom from bulbs made up of fleshy overlapping scales.
Location
Both varieties grow best in full sun. Shade causes them to become spindly and floppy. As some varieties get quite tall wind can also be a consideration. Make sure they are in a well drained location.
Soil
Soil should be well drained and friable. Amend with lots of organic material to prevent drought and nutrient loss.
Planting
Lilies look best planted in groups of 3 – 6 of the same variety. Space the lily bulbs 6 – 8 inches apart. Plant bulbs three times their own depth. Plant lilies with the top of the bulb facing upwards. Drainage is of key importance. Divide and replant when blooms slow down every three years or so.
Fertilizer
Fertilize in the spring with 5-10-10. Lilies like phosphorous rich fertilizer. A slow release formulation is recommended and always follow label instructions.
Pests
Lilies are relatively pest free. Slugs can be an issue with new shoots. See our hosta growing section for controls. Aphids can be a flower bud problem. Wash them off with a forceful water spray or check out some of the organic controls.
Disease
Fungal disease can be controlled by watering early in the day and at the base of the plant. Adequate spacing between groupings encourages good air circulation. Fungicide dustings can also be effective. Lily Mosaic can only be controlled by destroying infected plants.
Water
Lilies are fairly drought resistant. Watering down to six inches once a week during extended dry periods works well. Mulching helps retain moisture and controls weeds.
Overwintering
Mulch newly planted bulbs before winter with 4-6 inches of loose compost, shredded leaves or other suitable material. Established plants don’t need mulch in areas of good snow cover but mulch is always good insurance. Leave mulch in place till danger of hard frost passes in spring.