Designing with Daylilies
Daylilies are quite possibly the perfect plant. It is easy to see why they have become one of the most popular flowering perennials. They are very hardy and quite easy to grow. They can grow in different soil, sunlight, and water conditions, are rarely bothered by pests, and are generally disease resistant. What's more, daylilies come in many different colors, sizes and types -- there are over 40,000 different registered varieties and hundred of new varieties are added to the registry each year.
Every garden, whether big or small, can include daylilies in the landscape plan and design. They can be planted singly as specimen plants and are also excellent when planted in masses, or in mixed border arrangements. They work well to deter erosion and can help establish banks or in areas where erosion is a problem. When interspersed with other plants, daylilies can help to cover the yellowing foliage of the other plants and early spring bulbs such as daffodils and tulips.
Because there is such a vast selection of types, sizes, and colors, gardeners have many options for using daylilies in the landscape. And, with their different blooming periods and re-blooming characteristics, with some planning, you can have blooming daylilies in your garden from spring through to autumn.
Planting in groups of the same variety will give the greatest impact on the landscape design.
Brightly colored varieties will make a greater visual statement from a distance.
There are many re-blooming daylily varieties available. By selecting re-blooming types of daylilies, you can extend your season of color.
Incorporate varieties of different heights. By selecting plants of different heights, you can use them in the front, middle, and back of the bed.
For more variety, combine different types of daylily blooms.
Plant unusual varieties as specimen plants.
Some varieties are particularly fragrant. Be sure to plant those close to a walk-way or where their fragrance will be most appreciated
Mix with other types of plants. The companion plants can help to accentuate the daylily flowers and foliage and can also be used to provide additional color during the times that daylilies are not blooming.
Stella Grey is an avid gardener and daylily grower. She contributes to AllAboutDaylilies.org, an online resource about daylilies, growing daylilies, and gardening with daylilies.
