Divide day lilies in the fall
By JOAN CROTHERS

Day Lilie

The day lily is one of the easiest and most rewarding flowers to plant. They have a wide range of color and size, are perennials (come back every year) and are quite drought hardy.

If you already have a bed of day lilies, now in the late fall is the time to divide them. Rule of thumb is to divide them once the clumps have grown to 20 fans, or if they look crowded, divide them, they will appreciate the freedom to multiply, and multiply they do!

If you have been given a clump of day lilies by a good friend or neighbor, they can stay out of the ground for a while if stored in a cool, dry environment. Planting within a week is best.

The common orange day lily does well in most any soil, but likes a well-drained, sunny location to bloom well. Dig a hole deep enough so that the roots can be placed in it without having to be twisted. The crown should be covered with only 1" of soil.

Too shallow is better than too deep. Work the loose soil around the roots, filling the hole, and then tamp the soil firmly around the root and water. Keep the plant on the dry side, rather than too wet during the period of adjustment.

Day lilies take light fertilization, but do water with 1" saturation when temperatures are high during the bloom season. Mulching will keep you from watering so often. Blooms

start in late May and continue until the end of July. Plant and enjoy.