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 October 2004 |
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FIVE
EASY PERENNIALS Contrary to popular belief, "Perennial" is not an old Latin word for "hard work". Many perennials blossom beautifully without a lot of fuss and attention, while returning better and better year after year. Choosing the right ones provides the great reward of bright color without the cost of regular annual rotations. CABBAGE FLOWER DAYLILY
But Stella has its drawbacks, too. I have often been asked, on a beautiful balmy March day, "What belongs in that empty flower bed?" I have to stop a moment and think back to remember that all that pinestraw was full of Stellas last October. But without foliage, this deciduous Daylily is missing all winter.
Next month we'll talk about another perennial, It'Saul White Dianthus.
JUST WHEN YOU THINK YOU'VE SEEN IT ALL….
 In
case it's not clear in the photos, that is a weedeater being carried
over this industrious young man's shoulder. Don't try this at home,
kids!
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Daylilies
are easy to grow. Stella d'Oro Daylily is about as common in the
Atlanta landscape nowadays as Hollies and Fescue grass. Stella's
one overwhelmingly successful trait is the fact that it blooms almost
non-stop from May through October. 
The
other drawback to Stella d'Oro could also be considered a strength.
A huge bed of blooming Stellas is a traffic-stopper with the orangey-yellow
flowers waving from vibrant green foliage. But Stella is not a good
neighbor for many common perennials. The color of Stella clashes
with most other colors, limiting its performances to solo ones.
A
great alternate Daylily, which beats Stella on every scale but sheer
bloom count, is Cabbage Flower Daylily. It repeat-blooms all season,
though not quite as prolifically. Its plant height is the same.
The flowers are double, larger and more fragrant. But Cabbage Flower
is an evergreen Daylily. And the soft yellow color blends or contrasts
well with almost any other color.
Earlier
this year, OLM's Ed Jensen made a trip to Brazil to do landscape
evaluations of various properties. While traveling to one of the
sites, Ed couldn't resist snapping a couple of photos showing a
different way to transport landscape equipment!
Quick
Links:
The
first step is to think about color. Are you looking for a
bold splash of color or more soothing hues? Next, consider
possible color combinations. You could choose bulbs in various
shades of the same color family or include dashes of contrast.
Check
the estimated height of the bulbs you purchase. This will
help determine where to place them in your garden. Planting
a mixture of tall and short varieties of different colored
bulbs creates a very eye-pleasing display.
Bulbs
can be grouped according to bloom times with plants flowering
in early, middle, or late spring. By using all three varieties
you will have a continuous wave of color throughout the season.
Remember, the brown jacket of each bulb you plant now contains
a sensational flower ready to burst with breathtaking color
this spring!
