4. Daylilies
Daylilies are a staple for low-maintenance backyard plants. They possess thick, tuberous roots designed to hoard water during dry spells and absorb it greedily when it finally rains. During the peak heat of summer, daylilies can look slightly tired or droopy, but a strong rainstorm revitalizes them almost instantly.
The moisture triggers the plant to send up tall, sturdy flower stalks known as scapes. The buds on these scapes will swell and burst open shortly after the rain clears. Because daylily blooms only last for a single day, the plant relies on consistent bursts of water to keep producing new buds throughout the season.
If you are growing dwarf varieties like ‘Stella de Oro’ in patio planters, simply snap off the spent flower heads—a process called deadheading—after the rain passes. This redirects the plant’s freshly acquired energy back into producing new blooms rather than forming seed pods.
