Kate, I know the feeling. I'm at the same point. This past spring, I moved one of my daylilies into a pot, and it did really well all summer. In fact, it bloomed as well as the ones kept in the ground. Right now I'm pondering the best way to overwinter it. I think I'll just bury the whole pot in the ground, and take it out again in the spring. I love experimenting...that's what makes gardening so interesting!

Kate, I grow quite a few daylilies in containers. I like them in the containers because I place them on my patio. The great thing about daylilies in containers is that you can place them prominently when in bloom, and then replace with some other potted plant when the daylily is done.

Katyrose, if you have an unheated garage, they should overwinter in there just fine - I pull mine in the garage every year. They are tough plants. They may even make it through the winter outside, if the pot is big enough.

:)
Dee

Thank you Katyrose and Dee:

Katy: Good to hear that a daylily in a pot can be as glorious as the ones in the ground. I have to say my only issue with my daylilies (all of which are currently planted in the ground) is that it seems to take forever and a day for them to bloom and then the party's over. I hate waiting so long:) Which is why I want to put them in pots so I can utilize the prime real estate in my back perennial/rose bed.

Dee: Good information, thank you. About the overwintering thing I want to plant some of my daylilies in pots that will sit outside unprotected all winter. If I put them in the half barrels that is. One I want to plant is Moonlit Masquerade which is allegedly tolerant down to Zone 4. That should be fine in theory shouldn't it? It rarely gets below 10 degrees here during the wintertime.

Thank you both.

Kate

Kate, I don't want to come right out and tell you that it will be okay outside over the winter, because if I'm wrong and you lose your plant I'll feel awful, lol. However, that being said, you are a zone warmer than I am, and I have inadvertently left out a pot of daylilies for the winter and they survived. I would think that something hardy to zone 4 should overwinter in zone 7 in a pot outside, in theory, as you say, but I don't want to feel responsible if you lose it!

BTW, while the daylilies grow and bloom well in the pots, they obviously can't spread as much, and they can get crowded. I empty out my pots (which are at least 12" diameter, many larger) every two years and divide and then replant in the pots. I give away the extras or put them in the garden.

:)
Dee

Thanks Dee. I appreciate you want to be cautious and not steer me in the right direction. If they go to plant heaven this winter I won't blame you one iota:) Just wondered what your thoughts on the matter are.

My annuals in those barrels got so fried by some of the hot weather this year they are scheduled for composting this weekend. I think transplanting the daylilies would be perfect.

Appreciate your time.

Kate

Kate, I was thinking a bit further on this, and while I do think the daylilies would likely survive, if it were me I would put the pots inside IF I had a place to do so. After all, they are not evergreen and so why leave them out - there would just be empty pots on my patio. However, if you don't have a place to put them inside, that's not an option. But even outside against a sheltered wall might give a bit of extra protection, if you had to leave them out.

BTW, I did a search to see what Moonlit Masquerade looks like, and it is a very pretty daylily! Check out this site - says it may be hardy to zone 2 or 3!!!

:)
Dee

Here is a link that might be useful: Moonlit Masquerade

Thanks Dee.

I don't have anyplace inside. We are garage-free and really the only place outside is my potting shed which gets as cold as the great outdoors once winter hits.

I have three of the Moonlit Masquerades and they were just lovely this year. I like the flowers. It is just the waiting for them that is deadly:)

Going to check out your link now.

Kate

Dee, that's a great idea (overwintering in unheated garage). I'm going to try it. Thanks.