Planting Stella d'Oro Daylily Roots: Depth, Sprouting, and First-Year Blooms

PA Zone 6 gardener planted bare-root Stella d'Oro daylilies (May 22). Box says "plant head just below surface" and "top 1–2 inches below soil." Asks correct depth, sprouting time, and first-year bloom.

Planting Depth

For small bare-root fans, 1–2 inches deep is fine. Crown at or slightly below soil line.

Sprouting & First-Year Blooms

• Leaves emerge in 2–3 weeks if soil warm.
• First year: expect good foliage, few or no blooms—plants establish roots.
• Blooms reliably from year two onward.

Soil Recipe Bonus

Super Soil Mix (per 10×10 ft): 4 bags topsoil, 4 bags manure, compost, 2 bags sand, 1 bag Milorganite, 2 bags cedar mulch, 2 bags gypsum (clay), 2 bags sulfur. Rototill 12 inches.

Patience—daylilies reward you next year.