daylilies
Hemerocallis sp.
daylilies (Hemerocallis sp.) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 12 to 36 in tall and 6 to 24 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Fire-wise zone 1-2 perennial; CSU 6.305 score 10.0 of 10.
On the CSFS firewise listlow to medium water12 to 36 in tall and 6 to 24 in wideXeric / water-wiseLow ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 10/10
Photos
- Photo 1: "Starr 070302-4922 Hemerocallis sp." by Forest & Kim Starr is licensed under CC BY 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
- Photo 2: "Hemerocallis sp 03" is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 3: "Hemerocallis sp 02" is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 4: Forest & Kim Starr, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY)
- Photo 5: "Hemerocallis Sp." by Francis Bourgouin is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 6: "Hemerocallis sp. (day lily) (Newark, Ohio, USA) 14" by James St. John is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 12 to 36 in tall and 6 to 24 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~17 to 24 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid summer
- Bloom color
- yellow, red
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Low ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 10/10
Planting & establishment
Deep-water first season to establish, then minimal water needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is daylilies good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, daylilies is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does daylilies get?
- It matures to about 12 to 36 in tall and 6 to 24 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant daylilies?
- Space daylilies about 17 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 24 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is daylilies hardy on the Front Range?
- daylilies is hardy in USDA 3 to 9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does daylilies need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is daylilies native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is daylilies a good firewise plant near the house?
- daylilies is rated 10 of 10 in CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), where higher means less ignitable, so it can go within 0 to 5 feet of the house as well as out to 30 feet when kept watered and tidy. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does daylilies bloom?
- daylilies blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
