Edimental Gardens: Daylilies on the Grill!

Daylilies define the term ‘edimental’. It is named because each of the plant’s many blooms drops off after only a day. This favorite garden perennial has few to no pests, is drought-tolerant, grows well in containers, and can tolerate full sun or partial shade. Pollinators like bees and butterflies are attracted to the plant’s blossoms, and humans can eat them, too! 

Which Lilies can I eat?

As long as you have correctly identified a plant as a daylily (Hemerocallis), you can add it to your menu. Other species of lilies, such as Easter or tiger lilies, are poisonous, so make sure you correctly identify what you plan to eat. Experts recommend sticking to Hemerocallis fulva, the most well-known daylily species, and avoiding newer hybrids, which may be toxic. If in doubt, check with a foraging expert and do plenty of research.

Growing Daylilies 

As a perennial plant, daylilies are hardy and can tolerate temperatures as low as -35°C. They grow in clumps comprised of fibrous tuber-like roots. When planting daylilies, choose a site or container with good drainage. Daylilies like water, especially when plants develop new foliage and flower buds. Still, they are forgiving if they dry out for a day or two. If daylilies don’t bloom, it could result from too much shade, overcrowding of the tubers (they like a lot of space), or poor soil quality.

Daylilies don’t typically require fertilizer, especially if planted in rich, organic soil and given regular applications of compost. Tolerant of some shade, they will thrive best in a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.

Propagating Daylilies 

Dividing daylily clumps every two to three years helps keep the plants healthy and offers more edible goodness for your garden. The best times to divide daylilies are in early spring or after the plants have finished flowering in late summer. In my experience, daylilies don’t like to be disturbed, so if you’re dividing a clump, be prepared to wait a season while they settle into their new home and bloom again. 

Daylilies as an Ornamental Feature

Versatile, daylilies can be used as border plants, planted in mass groupings, or as a single plant in a rock garden. Hostas and daylilies (ironically, both edimentals) make good companion plants, producing complementary colors, shapes, and textures. 

Daylilies in the Kitchen

On the Menu: Daylily Flowers

Daylily flowers can be eaten dry or fresh and have a sweet, lettuce-like taste when they are open. Always pick blossoms that have just opened; these are the freshest. 

On the Menu: Daylily Buds

The flower buds can also be harvested just before they open. When steamed, they have a flavor similar to green beans. 

On the Menu: Daylily Shoots

The young shoots of daylilies can be harvested in the spring when about 12 centimeters long. After that, they’re too hard to work with. 

On the Menu: Daylily Tubers 

For many, daylily tubers are the most delicious part of the plant. Prepare them like fingerling potatoes; make sure to give them a thorough wash to remove all the dirt. 

Next time you decide to plant a daylilies, purchase a few extra tubers, both to cultivate around the house in the edimental garden as well as to enjoy on the dinner table. Consider how beautiful it will look outside and how delicious it will taste in a salad.