About Daylilies
Most plant enthusiasts refer to Daylilies as the "perfect perennial" because they are available in a rainbow of colors, come in a variety of shapes and sizes and one of the easiest perennial plants to grow and care for. The scientific name for daylilies is Hemerocallis a Greek word meaning "day" and "beauty" referring to the fact that each flower lasts only one day. To make up for this, daylilies have many buds on each stalk and many stalks in each clump of plant providing enjoyment of several weeks of beautiful displays of flowers. Daylilies bloom season is late spring to early autumn with flowers occurring daily in periods from 4 to 6 weeks. Some daylilies re-bloom producing more than one flowering period during the bloom season. Peak bloom season for daylilies is from June through July. Contrary to common belief, Daylilies are NOT Lilies. See below about "True-Lilies".
For more information about Daylilies The American Hemerocallis Society, Inc, (AHS) has an excellent website full of educational material to promote public interest and the development and improvement of daylilies.
About Hostas
Hostas are the ideal perennial plant for brightening up any shady spot. Hostas are not temperamental, in fact many cultivars even do well in considerable sun. Hostas are actually in the genus species of "lily-like" plants native to Asia. Hostas have become among the most popular hardy perennials grown primarily for their beautiful foliage. Hosta leaves come in a wide range of color arrangements including solids or variegated in combination's of blue, green, white, cream, yellow, and gold in many shapes, sizes, and texture. Although they are primarily planted for their striking foliage, Hostas also bear tall spikes of beautiful white or lavender flowers in midsummer with some cultivars having a most pleasant fragrance. Thy are one of the hardiest, low maintenance and shade tolerant perennials to grow. Once again, although they are placed amoung the species of "lily-like" plants, Hostas are not Lilies.
For more information about Hostas The American Hosta Society provides education and resources to foster and promote knowledge and interest in the genus Hosta.
"True Lilies"
What are "True-Lilies"? There are flowers called lilies such as the Daylily and Calla lily, but are these really lilies? The answer is NO. Many beautiful ornamental plants are commonly called lilies but often are not really "true-lilies", which can create some confusion. You see the genus Lilium, the botanical name for lily, are herbaceous flowering plants comprised of about 110 species in the lily family Liliaceae. For example, Daylilies are in the genus Hemerocallis. Previous classifications placed daylilies in the Lily family Liliaceae, but are know considered to belong in the plant family Hemerocallidaceae and are not lilies. Hostas, while still commonly placed in the lily family Liliaceae are now included in the family Avaveceae, hence confusion with the term lily. The common name Hosta is also the scientific genus name or sometimes collectively called "plantain lily", but once again they are not lilies and therefore bringing us back to the question, what are "true-lilies"?
So what are "true-lilies"? While many plants have "lily" as part of their common name (such as daylily and plantain lily) they are not really lilies. Still you will find broad usage of definitions stating lilies are members of the genus Lilium. But as we have already discussed, not all members are placed in the same family. Perhaps a better definition for "true-lilies" and easier understanding are those plants that come from bulbs such as Asiatic & Oriental lilies (unlike daylilies and hostas that come from rhizomes). Asiatic & Oriental lilies are the two most popular types of lily bulb plants in North American gardens. Other common true lilies from bulbs are the Easter Lily, Tiger Lily and Trumpet Lily.
For more information about Lilies The North American Lily Society (NALS) promotes interest in the genus Lilium with many resources for the "Lily" enthusiasts.
Other Useful Links
Dave's Garden has become one of the most popular community of gardeners on the internet for sharing information, learning, and finding valuable resources offered by the gardening industry.
Charlotte's Daylily Diary is a fantastic site for information on planting, propagating & hybridizing daylies along with an extensive updated list of hybridizers (daylily breeders) websites.
OSU Oregon State University Department of horticulture!
For the absolute Hosta enthusiasts "The Hostapedia" , by Mark R. Zilis is the very best, must have, recource book to own. Personally signed by Mark. Click on image to get it direct through Amazom.com