Hemerocallis citrina
daylily
- Position: full sun
- Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: July
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Masses of fragrant, greenish yellow, lily-like flowers, appear continuously in mid summer. It looks fabulous planted in drifts in a sunny mixed or herbaceous border among 'hot' colours, or with cannas and montbretias as companions. The bright green, strap-like leaves are semi-evergreen in mild areas, and soon form large clumps of strap-like foliage that helps to suppress weeds. Like most hemerocallis, it is robust and easy to grow, provided you follow the tips below. To fully appreciate the sweetly scented flowers, which open late afternoon and last just one day, plant it close to an entrance or path. - Garden care: The Greek term 'hemerocallis' means 'beautiful for a day', and daylilies need regular deadheading to prolong flowering and prevent their unsightly deadheads from dominating the scene. Each stem carries several flowers, so snap off each flower as it fades. When the stem has finished flowering, cut it down to the ground. After the plant has finished flowering altogether, pull out the dead leaves. When the foliage is looking tatty, cut it down to the ground and fresh new growth will appear. Lift and divide every three years in spring to keep the rhizomes vigorous and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant. Water frequently from spring until the buds appear.
Kniphofia uvaria
red hot poker
Scarlet buds and bright orange, torch-like flowers
£7.99
2 litre pot
within 2-3 days excludes weekends
Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'George Davison'
montbretia
An early flowering, vigorous variety
£7.99
2 litre pot
within 2-3 days excludes weekends
Eremurus × isabellinus 'Cleopatra'
foxtail lily
Stunning orange flowers and graceful strap like leaves
£14.99
2 litre pot
available to order from summer 2013
Seaside
Gardening by the coast offers specific challenges and opportunities. You can take advantage of the mild climate to grow not-so-hardy plants with confidence, but will have to choose them carefully to ensure they can cope with the buffeting winds...
Read full articleDaylily
These lovely plants produce a succession of lily-like flowers each of which lasts for just one day. At first, this seems rather disappointing, but they are such bright, exotic flowers and produced in such profusion that this isn't actually a...
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