How do I deal with day lilies crowding into other garden plants?

1. 85

   oceansnsunsetsposted 12 years ago

   How do I deal with day lilies crowding into other garden plants?
   
   I planted day lilies a few years ago in an open spot in my garden.   Well, they are prolific here, and taking over some other plants that are late bloomers, so to speak.  I don't want them to kill off other plants.  Can I just yank them out like weeds?  I know it sounds crazy, but they are taking over, and I don't want to dig up the other plant's roots, etc.

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2. 58

   scentualhealingposted 12 years ago

   Dig them up and give them away to friends and family.  I wished I lived nearby I would certianly take some off of your hands.

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3. 81

   brsmom68posted 12 years ago

   You should be able to dig them up without too much trouble. If you don't want them to spread, may I suggest planting them in a 5 gallon tub (like the ones the trees come in from the greenhouse) and sink that into the ground. Keep the rim just above the soil line otherwise you will have the same problem. It is a lot of work and digging, but it should contain your lilies so the other plants have a chance at growing.
   
   Good luck with your garden! Oh, and the same method works when planting mint as well, as it spreads like wildfire if not kept in check.

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4. 73

   Barbara Kayposted 12 years ago

   I'd never pull out daylilies as weeds, but that is up to you. Are they just ditch lilies or are they hybrid daylilies? Why don't you offer them to someone else first? Daylilies can be divided, so the plants are smaller. Just dig them up and slice them in half with a knife.
   
   Before I'd just dispose of them, I'd even throw them along a country roadside to grow. They look beautiful growing along the road.

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5. 67

   davenmidtownposted 12 years ago

   I usually plant day lilies in sunken containers to help keep them where they need to be. They should be divided each year because they are prolific. You can sell bulbs on ebay... if you have a lot or give them away.

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6. 94

   peeplesposted 12 years ago

   Just to add to what the others have said craigslist.com and freecycle.org if available in your area are a great way to find a new home for those plants. Most of the time you can even get someone to come dig out what they want. I really would hate to know they were going to waste when there has to be someone in your local area that can use them.

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7. 59

   Wizzie Croneposted 12 years ago

   The beauty of lilies is that they need very little care and reproduce themselves. Every spring I dig up the lilies that have spread and find another place for them. When my yard could not stand another patch of lilies, I placed them in plastic bags and gave them away.
   
   Even the newest gardener will be successful growing lilies. New lilies are easy to dig out and equally easy to find a new home for. I felt as if I was killing a living thing when I tried to throw my thinned lilies in the compost bin. So I gave them away.

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8. 85

   oceansnsunsetsposted 12 years ago

   Wonderful answers all, thank you so much.  I wish I could give some to you guys!  I would not throw them away, I am a sucker for any kind of life and love gardening!  I think it sounded like I would discard them like weeds, but I just meant pull them.  Thank you for your input.

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9. 95

   cat on a soapboxposted 12 years ago

   If no one steps up to take them, you could put the tuber clumps in a large plastic bag and put them on your front curb with a sign that says: FREE DAYLILIES.

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