Landscaping with Daylilies

Lillium Oriental 'Stargazer'

Lilies are a long-blooming welcomed addition to any landscape. They fit beautifully into just about any type of garden whether it is formal, cottage style or traditional. The true lilies or Asiatic lilies are bulb-forming perennials that belong to the family Lillaceae.

Daylily or Hemerocallis belong to the family Hemerocallis that stemmed from the family Lillaceae. The botanical name for daylily means "beautiful for a day". Daylilies grow forming clumps with continuous blooms throughout the summer and into fall. They can be grown in zones 3-9 ideally in a rich most, slightly acidic soil in full sun. Whether you choose true Lillium or Hemerocallis either can be a welcome addition to your garden.

Lillium 'Stargazer' is known for its beautiful coloration and very fragrant blooms. 'Stargazer' grows in clumps that are 12-16 inches in width and reaches a height of 36 inches and blooms from July-August. It is hardy in zones 4 to 10 and prefers to be grown in full sun in a slightly acidic and rich, well-drained soil. 'Stargazer' can be easily divided by digging up bulbs and re-planting (best done in fall). 'Stargazer' is a prolific bloomer that thrives in the garden and is an excellent addition to any landscape. 

Lillium Oriental  'Casablanca'

Lilium 'Casablanca' exhibits beautiful pure white flowers on stalks 24-36 " high. Fragrant blooms emerge in July-August against dark green foliage. This lily is as magnificent as the 'Stargazer' and is a perfect addition to a moon garden. It's striking white flowers and bright red stamens contrast against a deep green background.

Pink Oriental Lily

Pink Oriental Lily displays delicate pink spotted blooms on 24 -36 inch stalks in mid to late June. Grow this perennial in full sun in a slightly acidic and rich, well-drained soil in USDA zones 4-9. 

Hemerocallis 'Stella D Oro'

The next group of lilies belongs to the family Hemerocallis. Daylily 'Stella D Oro' is a compact clumping perennial producing fragrant golden yellow flowers on 18-20" stalks. 'Stella D Oro' prefers a humus, well-drained soil in full sun but will tolerate partial shade giving some flexibility when planting.  Out of all the daylilies it has one of the longest bloom times from late May through fall with little maintenance. Blooms can be extended through October with a late summer pruning to remove spent foliage. 'Stella D Oro' adds long-lasting color to any formal or informal landscape and it a popular favorite in the garden.

Hemerocallis 'Prairie Blue Eyes'

Hemerocallis 'Prairie Blue Eyes' is a knock-out in the landscape displaying lavender-blue flowers with green throats that bloom on 26-28" stalks mid-season in zones 4-10.  'Prairie Blue Eyes' can be grown in full sun to partial shade and will also tolerate a variety of soil types.

Hemerocallis 'Grape Velvet'

Hemerocallis 'Grape Velvet' shows off deep grape purple flowers with yellow throat on 18-24 inch stalks against deep green foliage.  'Grape Velvet' grows in zones 3-9 and blooms July-August.  It prefers to be grown in full sun and tolerates a range of soil types from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.

Hemerocallis 'Sammy Russell'

Hemerocallis 'Sammy Russell' displays brick-red star shaped blooms with yellow-apricot throats on 24-26" stems. This outstanding hardy perennial blooms from mid-summer through fall highlighting the summer garden in zones 3-9. This perennial prefers to be grown in full sun to partial shade and can tolerate a variety of soils.

 Hemerocallis  'Pardon Me'

Hemerocallis 'Pardon Me' produces ruffled, fragrant cranberry-red petals with a yellow throats. 'Pardon Me' develops new buds over a long-blooming period from July to October and is hardy in zones 4-9.  It is a compact grower reaching only a height of 18 " which makes it easy to plan in the garden border and works well in small spaces.

Hemerocallis 'Joan Senior'

Hemerocallis 'Joan Senior' produces creamy-white blooms with a yellow throat and slightly ruffled petals. This perennial goes through two bloom cycles from early to mid-summer and grows to a height of 24-26" in zones 5-10.

Lilies are a beautiful and versatile plant and are easy to grow. Their hardiness in several zones make them a popular and widely used perennial in landscaping.   Lilies  adapt well to a variety of soil types and conditions and exhibit a long bloom time.  They add color and texture to the cottage garden, formal landscape or perennial border and can be enjoyed for years to come.

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening Copyright 2011. All Rights Reserved.