Daylilies

March 15, 2025

Spring Gardening in Wisconsin: Preparing for the Season

Spring in Wisconsin is notoriously unpredictable. Within a single week, the weather can shift from snow and ice storms to sunny 70-degree days, followed by rain and back to freezing temperatures. This week has been unusually warm, staying in the 60s, which means it’s time to get outside and start preparing the yard for the growing season. I take advantage of every warm day to make progress before the inevitable return of cooler weather.

Expanding and Relocating My Gardens

One of my most recent projects has been relocating some of my flower gardens while expanding my backyard planting space. With plenty of land to work with, my main focus is deciding on the best layout while considering one key challenge—keeping the chickens from destroying everything!

Over the past few years, I’ve been gradually moving and rehoming the Daylilies (Hemerocallis fulva) on my property. I’ve kept a dedicated space for my personal enjoyment while also using them along my sloped driveway to help prevent erosion—a role they serve exceptionally well.

Last fall, my neighbors removed two large Cypress trees that previously shaded the southern portion of my yard. This unexpected change has provided an abundance of sunlight, making it an ideal spot for new plantings. However, I still need to manage the remaining tree roots, which will take time to break down naturally.

This week’s big task has been removing Daylilies from a corner of my yard to make room for new plantings. Since they are highly invasive, removing them properly is a labor-intensive process. Each root must be carefully dug up by hand, and the soil must be thoroughly sifted to ensure no tubers remain—otherwise, they will continue to spread.

Understanding Daylilies vs. True Lilies

Many people are unaware that Daylilies are an edible plant, unlike true lilies, which are toxic. True lilies from the Lilium family are not edible. They can be identified by having leaves on the stem of the flower. It’s crucial to identify them correctly:

✅ Daylilies (Hemerocallis fulva):

• Edible and commonly foraged.
• Grow from stringy roots with small tubers (not bulbs).
• Have six petal-like structures (three sepals and three petals).
• Feature grass-like leaves that fan out from the base.
• Lack leaves on the flower stalks.

❌ Tiger Lilies (Lilium lancifolium):

• NOT edible—true lilies are toxic if consumed.
• Grow from bulbs, not stringy tubers.
• Feature curved-back petals rather than open-faced blooms.
• Have leaves along the flower stalk, and often spots on the petals, unlike Daylilies.

Since foraging can be dangerous if you’re unsure of plant identification, always research thoroughly before consuming any wild plants.

I also suggest testing for allergies before diving in. It is best to try a small portion and wait 24 hours to be aware of any reactions.

With the weather cooperating this week, I’m making great progress in the yard. There’s still plenty to do, but I’m excited to see how these changes transform my garden this season!