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When to plant Daylily in Larimer County County,

In Larimer County County, Daylily is a spring-only crop. Plant May 16–May 30 once soil hits 50°F.

When to Plant Daylily in Larimer County, CO

Larimer County, Colorado Zone 5b June

Your June planting checklist for Larimer County, Colorado

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Larimer County, Colorado this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 2
Avg. first frost October 6
Soil temp (4") 50°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.9 hrs
July prep starts now
  • Starting indoors: daylily

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Hemerocallis (Daylily) is one of the most adaptable and trouble-free perennials in cultivation. Though each flower lasts only a single day, established clumps produce dozens to hundreds of buds per stem, delivering weeks of continuous color through summer. Modern hybrids extend the range from pale cream and melon through deep burgundy and purple. Nearly indestructible once established — tolerating poor soil, drought, competition, and neglect — daylilies form dense spreading clumps that effectively suppress weeds. An excellent low-maintenance choice for slopes, borders, and naturalized areas.

Larimer County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 7,108 feet, Larimer County receives approximately 23.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Daylily to ensure they mature before fall.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Larimer County, CO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6
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Larimer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Daylily Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: May 12 🌸 Bloom: Aug 4 – Nov 3
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 16 🌸 Bloom: Aug 8 – Nov 7
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Jun 4 🌸 Bloom: Aug 27 – Nov 26

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Larimer County

How your county's soil matches Daylily's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–8.2) is more alkaline than Daylily prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Larimer County is excellent for Daylily — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Daylily.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Daylily.

How to Plant Daylily

1"
Planting Depth
24"
Between Plants
30"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Daylily

3
successive plantings in your 157-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 08 to harvest before frost.

Daylily Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 40 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Daylily

Daylily needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Daylily Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Larimer County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Daylily Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Daylily needs ~975 GDD — county provides 2,041 GDD Excellent fit

Daylily Planting Timeline — Larimer County, CO

Daylily Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 – Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors May 16 May 16 – May 30
Bloom August 8 Aug 8 – Nov 7

Plant 1" deep · 24" apart · Rows 30" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July
August Bloom
September Bloom
October Bloom
November Bloom
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

157 days in Larimer County

Growing Tips for Daylily in Larimer County

Direct sow Daylily outdoors after May 02 in Larimer County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Larimer County receives only 23" of rain annually. Daylily needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Daylilies are most commonly propagated by division rather than seed; cultivar seeds do not come true. Transplant bare-root or potted divisions in early spring or fall, setting crowns no more than 1 inch below soil level. If starting from seed (species types only), start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost. Established plants are extremely drought-tolerant; moderate water during bloom period improves flower quality. Divide crowded clumps every 3–5 years in early spring or fall to maintain vigor. In warm zones (8+), some cultivars are evergreen; in cold zones, foliage dies back each fall. Year 2+ plants bloom most heavily — first-year transplants may produce limited flowers.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Daylily in Larimer County, CO?

Larimer County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Daylily planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Larimer County, CO?

Larimer County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 6.

When should I plant Daylily in Larimer County, ?

In Larimer County, , plant Daylily after the last frost (around May 2) and before the first frost (around October 6). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Larimer County, for Daylily?

Larimer County sits in USDA Zone 5b. Daylily grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Daylily grow in Larimer County's climate?

Yes — Daylily grows well in Larimer County's temperate climate. Larimer County averages a 157-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 2 and first frost around October 6.

🌱

Your Larimer County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Larimer County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Larimer County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.