Nope, daylilies are almost indestructible. Just plant them and water them occasionally. Don't plant them too deep or they won't bloom. They love sun. Phlox doesn't work for me either, but I heard the white David phlox is the strongest so I may buy that one day.

Well, I never had a bit of problem with my phlox (except a little mildew) until I decided to rearrange my garden, and planted them in a sunny spot where my Tinkerbelle lilac had shriveled up & died. Now I know the lilac probably died of verticillium wilt. I thought it was from several years of drought. That wilt is a real scourge!!!!

If you have an area with the verticillium, you can supposedly clear the area by solarizing. It involves laying a fairly thick but transparent (black will not work) sheet of plastic over it and holding it in place with lawn staples or weights of some sort. Leave it for at least four months, six months is even better. It will work only if the area gets sunlight for at least six hours a day, shade will not work.
kay

Thanks, kay! I'll try that!

Sue: If you don't want to spend $$'s on clear plastic you might want to first try a mattress store and see if they have any discarded heavy clear plastic they've used for wrapping new mattresses in. Most stores just toss the plastic once they deliver the mattresses.

Julia

Great tip, Julia! I'll try to get some "freebies".

Don't forget to wet the ground before you put down plastic. Steam those bad bugs.

Thanks for the info, petalpatsy! Will do!