A steep hill is difficult to keep, luckily day lilies (Hemerocallis spp.) Are only the plant to stabilize the ground. Not only are day lilies stunning when the big colorful flowers bloom in summer they also have tuberous roots that produce a thick mat below the soil. The roots help keep the soil in place, minimizing erosion problems. Day lilies grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 10, depending on the variety.
Securing the Terrain
The bare soil on a steep hill is very shaky and will wash away with rain or watering. To keep the soil in place, and keep the newly planted day lilies from sliding down the hill, then utilize coir matting. Coir matting is a roughly woven mat made from biodegradable coconut fibers. The matting breaks down over four to six years and by that time that the established day lilies will fasten the soil with their roots. Lay the matting over the slope before you plant and then fasten the edge with pegs, which you can buy with the matting.
Planting the Terrain
With a set of garden scissors or a set of shears, cut holes at the matting for planting. The holes only need to be slightly larger than the afternoon lily bulbs. Select a cool spring or fall day for planting. Make the planting hole slightly wider than the arc. Mound up a small soil in the center of this hole then set the bulb on top spreading out the roots around it. The top of the bulb should rest 1 inch below the soil surface once you fill in the hole.
Spacing for Evening Lilies
Plant day lilies in drifts or staggered clusters to provide the best erosion control. Whenever you plant in a row on a steep hill, then you invite water to form channels and destabilize the slope. A spacing of at least 12 and up to 18 inches between bulbs works well for day lilies. Water every single bulb in later planting using a soaker placing onto the hose or a sprinkler. Ideally, avoid walking on the slope to keep the soil from sliding beneath the matting. Follow up with weekly watering, providing about 1 inch each week for the initial growing season.
One to Try
Tawny day lily (Hemerocallis fulva) develop particularly well on slopes. While day lilies all have tuberous roots that produce a dense mat, the tawny day lily’s roots are particularly strong. This afternoon lily species, which grows in USDA zones 3 through 9, produces 5-inch-diameter yellow-orange flowers in summer.
