Bought a new house with a south facing bed crammed
with Daylillies. What to do?

Enjoy, take pictures during bloom season so you know what is what, and divide in the fall if needed.

Eli.

Depends on how much work you want to do. Divide them and replant around the property, give them to neighbors, call a community garden to come clean it up for you, donate to a nursing home or community facility...the possibilities would hinge on your preferences.

A new hobby is born??

beth14kk9 said:A new hobby is born??

good one!!

Welcome Eli

Eli and Beth!

Hmmm.... new house with existing daylilies.

If it were me? I would take them out, compost and start over.

but then, I like to know what I have, and grow only what I like.

beth14kk9 said:A new hobby is born??

Perfect!!

Eli & Beth!

I love the title of the thread, because my first reaction was to think there is no such thing as too many daylilies! If it were me, I would want to see them bloom before I dug them all up. You might like some and want to keep them.

That was my thought too Ann! I agree, I would wait to see them blooming, decide what if any, maybe all, I wanted to keep and then decide on dividing, replanting etc.

to the forum Eli.

What Ann and Char said. Also, you might see if there's a local daylily society nearby, or your county master gardeners. If you don't want them, those would be good folks to help you find new homes for them.

Thank you everyone! I decided to dig the lilies up slowly and compost and amend the soil. I did feel bad but they were crammed in there. I then said a garden prayer that goes like this, 'Please make me open and aware to the plants that are trying to come my way.' I'm not that religious but very opened minded and a tad spiritual. The very next day someone gave me a Clematis shrub! I didn't know there was even such a plant. So then I said another prayer that went like this,' Please make me open and get me out of my own way so that my garden can flourish and become what it desires.' Now I think I will try a little meditation and just sit quietly with my garden in mind. Has anyone heard of Findhorn? And yes I still feel guilty for yanking the lilies. Their little stretched fingers...

Eli, what cool prayers!

I just can't imagine digging up those daylilies without seeing them bloom first! They may be the most beautiful flowers ever! I think I need to meditate now!

Natalie said:I just can't imagine digging up those daylilies without seeing them bloom first! They may be the most beautiful flowers ever! I think I need to meditate now!

Natalie my thoughts too,

I have purchased several houses in my life. I never dig anything for a year until I see what is there. I have to sit and get to know my new garden areas. I bond with my gardens.

I do not understand but Eli if it is what you wanted to do to feel happy with your gardens you did the right thing.

This is one of the reason it is a good idea if you are selling your house if possible dig up your plants and take them with you. Plant some grass seeds.

Cinta, we just bought a new house, and I've been enjoying the things that are growing here. Many I have never seen before, so I'm like a kid in a candy store! I did bring some of my own plants with me, but left about a thousand behind. We have lots of land here, but no extra flower beds yet, so I knew I if I dug up every plant I had, I would need to rent a moving van just for them, and then they would probably die while I built them a place to live. I've been very happy with everything that has bloomed here!

I don't want to hijack Eli's post but I understand what you are saying.
I have always enjoyed running around my new property and see what is blooming that I did not plant. It is like a surprise party. I have never been disappointed. I have moved my finds or added to what is planted.

But as I said everyone garden differently. What is fun for us can be a nightmare for someone else.

I did see pics of what was there. I forgot to mention that also. It was what made me decide.I had many mixed feelings myself..

Eli I understand I like daylilies mixed in the perennial garden as accent plant. I do not like a entire bed with daylilies only.

So I can see your evaluation of too many in one spot that would not be a pretty picture. The picture you saw were they all in bloom? Could you see what each plant flower looked like?

Eli said:I did see pics of what was there. I forgot to mention that also. It was what made me decide.I had many mixed feelings myself..

It's a hard decision to make. I'm very glad the previous owner of my house moved out of state. I've dug up almost all of the rose bushes she so carefully planted, converted her carefully manicured lawn into several islands of trees interspersed with daylily beds, etc.

Bottom line, it's YOUR place, and you do what's right for YOU, and to heck with the rest of the world.