As we gain new information about the daylily rust, the worst-case scenarios prove to be unlikely. Originally, it was feared that this disease would sweep across the whole country. Increasingly, rust is being recognized as a local situation. It is probably going to be a past primarily in the southern United States and does not seem to be able to survive north of the Mason-Dixon line.

Environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity play an important part in the expression of this disease. Periods of high humidity and high temperature favor the spread of daylily rust. Dry air and lower temperatures retard the spread of the disease.

Newly developed daylily varieties are going to be increasingly chosen on the basis of resistance to daylily rust. Information gathered concerning these varietal differences can be readily accessed online. The gardener who is mainly interested in landscaping, should still be able to choose from a wide variety of flower types and colors.

Daylily rust has been reported in more than half of the United States. The reports from th Northern states is sporadic and seems to be limited to the current growing season. There have been no reports of the disease lasting over winter and successfully infecting gardens in the next year. In contrast, evergreen varieties in the southern states are a source of inovullum for the next year.

Chemical control of daylily rust is less than satisfactory at this time. The fungicides do not completely eradicate the problem. New fungicides, which are systemic, are going to be the most likely candidates for a chemical controlled solution.