Kentucky's Top Professional Daylily Nurseries

Who doesn't love daylilies? These perennials are almost maintenance-free except for the necessity of dividing crowded clumps and an occasional weeding, if necessary. And their long blooming time is in a season that is often not full of color--the heat of summer. In the south, especially, summer heat does not allow for many floral displays. Many varieties of flowers just fade out by mid June or simply will not tolerate conditions in this region. So enter the mighty daylily. That's why there are so many nurseries that not only carry a lot of varieties of this great perennial but specialize in hybridizing and in carrying very unusual specimens. By mixing varieties that bloom at different times, one can almost guarantee a colorful display during most of the summer. Plant some annuals in among them and you'll have a summer garden that's the talk of the town!

Bluegrass Daylily Gardens specializes in the old varieties, but also carries lots of the new hybrids and is constantly adding to their collection. They strongly advise visiting them during their Bloomfest, so as to be able to take home freshly dug plants. They're located near Shelbyville, KY in the Bluegrass region. They're state licensed and fully inspected, certifying disease-free plants. What's nice is that they will accept payments through paypal. They have some very interesting doubles and even some fragrant varieties. I saw some that were priced at $100 and even $200! These are extremely rare plants, however.
Chuck and Jenny Williams
4122 La Grange Road
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-6471

The Finchville Daylily Gardens provides daylilies of all sorts of varieties from their family farm in Shelbyville. They suggest coming to see the lilies in their finest display at peak season during the last weeks in June and the first two weekends in July, during "Daylily Daze." They have miniature and older varieties and newer plants in a collection that now exceeds 500 different varieties. None of their plants costs more than 26.00, so the prices seem very good here. People may want to stop by at Bluegrass Daylilies to compare, as it's just nearby.
471 Finchville Rd.
Shelbyville, KY 40065
504-834-0321

http://www.daylilydonna.com/
Gibson Perennial Gardens is located in and they grow 1300 varieties of daylilies, more than most growers. They also specialize in a wide range of hosta varieties, so this would be a great place to shop for a number of other plants while picking out your favorite daylilies. Visit them the second week of June all the way through Labor Day to see the various plants in full bloom. they guarantee their freshly dug plants and send double divisions or more. They also send bonus plants with all orders, which is nice. His prices seemed reasonable but people have to compare what each dealer offers to get a real perspective. Call at 606-364-3027him for directions to his farm. This nursery also accepts paypal, as does the Finchville farm.

http://daylily.net/gardens/quarlesdaylilies/
Quarles Daylilies is located between Lexington and Louisville about 8 miles off I-64 at the Waddy exit. They are proud to state that they don't baby their plants which bloom in clay silt loam with no mulch, so their lilies should bloom for everyone else when taken home and planted. They sell double fans and sometimes multiple fans on older varieties. Her price range is very good, with no hugely expensive varieties.
159 Hickory Ridge
Waddy, KY 40076
(502) 829-5975
quarles_daylilies@yahoo.com