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When to plant Daylily in Wright County County,

Plant Daylily in Wright County County, between May 15 and May 29 — the only viable window. Zone 5a's short season (159 frost-free days) rules out a fall crop.

When to Plant Daylily in Wright County, IA

Wright County, Iowa Zone 5a June

What to do in June

Here's what deserves your attention in Wright County, Iowa this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 5a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost May 1
Avg. first frost October 7
Soil temp (4") 63°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.1 hrs
A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
  • 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.

Wright County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 1,359 feet, Wright County receives approximately 32.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt 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
Wright County, IA (Zone 5a) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Wright County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Daylily Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: May 8 🌸 Bloom: Jul 31 – Oct 23
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: May 15 🌸 Bloom: Aug 7 – Oct 30
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: May 28 🌸 Bloom: Aug 20 – Nov 12

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 Wright County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–6.9) overlaps with Daylily's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.5%) — Daylily will thrive.

How to Plant Daylily

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

Succession Planting Daylily

3
successive plantings in your 159-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 09 to harvest before frost.

Daylily Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Wright 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 2,067 GDD Excellent fit

Daylily Planting Timeline — Wright County, IA

Daylily Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13
Transplant Outdoors May 15 May 15 – May 29
Bloom August 7 Aug 7 – Oct 30

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
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

159 days in Wright County

Growing Tips for Daylily in Wright County

Direct sow Daylily outdoors after May 01 in Wright County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Wright County, IA?

Wright County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Daylily planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wright County, IA?

Wright County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 7.

When should I plant Daylily in Wright County County, ?

In Wright County County, , plant Daylily after the last frost (around May 1) and before the first frost (around October 7). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Wright County County, for Daylily?

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

Can Daylily grow in Wright County County's climate?

Yes — Daylily grows well in Wright County County's temperate climate. Wright County County averages a 159-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 1 and first frost around October 7.

🌱

Your Wright County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wright County (Zone 5a). 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 Wright County, IA. 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.