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Daylilies are one
of the most versatile perennials available to gardeners. Thanks to the
work of devoted breeders and the enthusiasm of passionate gardeners,
daylilies are available in an astonishing range of flower colors, sizes,
shapes, and patterns, ensuring that there is a variety to complement
any garden.
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Daylilies
look great with
black-eyed Susans.
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Besides the traditional
golds and oranges, you can find daylily flowers in shades of red, pink,
and purple, including some very pale pastels that approach pure white.
Some of the most interesting new varieties, called eyed daylilies, are
patterned with a zone of different color around the throat.
Daylilies are remarkably
adaptable and will thrive in full sun to part shade in just about any
soil type. Dwarf varieties pair well with hardy geraniums, bellflowers,
and penstemon, and look great in front of clematis and climbing roses.
Large varieties complement coneflowers, Shasta daisies, coreopsis, monarda,
and tall phlox.
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With
the great selection available, choosing a variety can be a challenge.
If you're adding daylilies to an existing perennial garden, think
about what role you'd like them to play. Is
your garden in need of some livening up? Consider Stella
de Oro, for a season-long splash of bright yellow. Does one
of your gardens need some early summer color? Grape
Magic's show of deep scarlet flowers lasts for weeks in early
to mid summer. Or you may simply want to add a conversation-starter
like Barbara
Mitchell, whose huge, orchid pink flowers have deep yellow veining
in the throat. |
| Yellow
daylilies, purple columbine, and pink primroses at the edge of the
woods. |
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Here are some suggestions for attractive flower combinations.
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Primary
colors enliven a garden. This trio of bright-flowered, medium-sized
plants performs best in part shade in warm climates, and in full
sun to part shade in cooler regions.
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'Paprika'
Achillea
'Paprika'
has brilliant flat clusters of red flowers with cheery yellow
centers atop sturdy 18-in. stems. Finely divided, fern-like foliage
is grayish green.
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'Stella
de Oro' Daylily
This award-winning
dwarf daylily flowers prolifically and repeat blooms for a super-long
bloom period. Grows 18 to 24 inches tall.
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'Johnson's
Blue' Geranium
This popular geranium produces a heavy shower of lavender-blue
flowers over many weeks in late spring. Grows 15-18 inches tall.
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The
muted colors and light, airy textures of these relatively
large plants make them attractive -- but not overwhelming -- companions
for daylilies.
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'Sunny
Border Blue' Veronica
'Sunny Border
Blue' produces abundant spikes of violet-blue flowers above crisp
green foliage beginning in midsummer through fall. Grows to 2
feet tall.
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Goat's
Beard (Aruncus)
Goat's beard
is a one of the few tall shade plants available. This large perennial
has creamy blooms, that reach up to 6 feet tall.
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Penstemon
'Husker Red'
Handsome burgundy-red
spring foliage and stems contrast nicely with 'Husker Red's' summer
display of white, flowers. Grows 2-4 feet tall.
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Extend
the bloom season by planting daylilies with tall summer bloomers
such as garden phlox. The phlox will bloom later than most daylily
varieties, extending the flower show into early fall.
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Phlox
paniculata 'Delta Snow'
Bears fragrant,
tubular flowers atop stiff, upright stems, which seldom need staking.
'Delta Snow' typically grows 3-4 feet tall. with narrow, lance-shaped
foliage.
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Phlox
paniculata 'David'
'David' is
the most mildew-resistant garden phlox available. Its domed clusters
of fragrant, pure-white flowers appear on 2-3 foot tall plants.
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Phlox
paniculata 'Blue Boy'
Produces
large trusses of soft, fragrant, lavender-blue flowers, each with
a white center. The 3 foot tall plants have lance-shaped leaves.
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Growing
perennials such as lavendar and baby's breath as companions to
daylilies provide not only contrasting flower colors, but diverse
foliage textures as well.
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Lavendula
'Fred Boutin'
'Fred Boutin'
boasts fragrant, flower spikes that are exceptionally long, and
the foliage is velvety white. Sheer back after first flush of
blooms for more flowers.
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Gypsophila
'Viette's Dwarf'
'Vivette's
Dwarf' baby's breath is compact and does not require staking.
Its early summer sprays of double, blush-pink flowers turn white
as they mature.
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Liatris
spicata 'Kobold'
'Kobold'
gayfeather is compact and can be planted in front of a flower
garden. Its spikey purple flowers bloom for weeks in summer.
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