Overwinter daylilies in pots

by Kevin
(Medford, NJ)

I have about 50+ daylily plants that did not make it into the ground but are potted in large pots. What are are the odds of them overwintering in those pots here in Southern New Jersey.

Doug says the odds are pretty good as long as the temp doesn't go to -5F. Keep them well watered if you don't do anything to them - drying the soil out will kill them.

If you want to improve the odds - then after all the leaves are off the trees, put all the pots in a tight clump and cover them with a lot of leaves. Several feet would be good to help the soil temperatures even out - with no highs and lows.

Or plant them now before the ground freezes - put them all into a big trench (dig up in the spring and replant in the spot you want). This isn't scenic but it is very fast. Just toss them into the trench (out of the pots is better) so the crowns are at the surface and tight as possible together. Backfill and water heavily to get soil between the roots. Dig in the early spring and replant.