If you are looking for inexpensive low maintenance color in your garden, I’d like you to take a new look at an old favorite. These plants have been around for decades, so are easily over looked, until you see the new colors and uses for these plants.
Lets start with the Day Lilly.  This is the perfect plant for those of us who think they don’t have a green thumb.  Once established this colorful perennial needs no care. I mean no watering, no fertilizer, no fuss. The only maintenance this plant may need, and it is truly optional, is in the heat of the summer the leaves at the bottom of the plant turn brown. If this bothers you, you can pull them out, but it is not necessary for the health of the plant.
I’ve heard it called the gas station plant, because, well yes it’s used profusely in road side gardens, mini malls, and unimaginative city gardens. Those are typically the cheerful bright, bright yellow Day Lillies – and yes I did mean to say that twice, because the color can rival the sun on a good day.

If that color is not smoking your shorts, there are soooo many more to choose from. There is a smaller, finer leaved, softer butter cup color Day Lilly, which blooms a little later than the Stella. You can see it’s a little easier on the eyes, and it blooms all summer.

If yellow’s not your color, and you’re still not convinced, here are photos of  many different colors.

Many of these lillies have textured petals, and if you enjoy rich scents wafting from your flowers, plant these under your windows.  They are as small as 8 inches tall and as tall as two feet. The taller beauties can be used as a “specimen” plant in your garden (one of the solitary stars) or in mass plantings. Here are examples of both.

You can use daylillies as perky greeters at your gate, the front door, or around your mail box post.
Stay tuned for future Lilly posts and other easy going perennials.