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Orange Daylily
Photo credit: Dan Tenaglia, Missouriplants.com
The Orange Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) is a deciduous species that is also called Ditch Lily because it is often seen in roadside ditches or old gardens. A tough plant, it grows to 6 feet high and has leaves that are 2 feet or longer. The orange-red flowers, 3-5 inches wide, appear in summer and look great in combination with the old-fashioned blue "mophead" Hydrangeas. It is a real care-free perennila bulb.
Use perennials that complement your existing shrubs and trees. For example, Robinia pseudoacacia "Frisia" has golden-yellow leaves, and so does Spirea "Ogon"; two perennials that complements a planting of these two are the Variegated Fragrant Solomon's Seal (green leaves with white edges) and the white-flowered Fleabane called Erigeron karvinskianus "Prfusion".
Planting and Transplanting Propagate the following perennials by cuttings: Amsonia tabernaemontana, Dianthus plumarius, Bee Balm (Monarda didyma), Phlox divaricata, Salvia × superba, Kamschatka stonecrop (Sedum kamtschaticum), Sedum spectabile, Verbena tenuisecta, Veronica spicata.
Pest Control During hot, humid weather, powdery mildew on Phlox, Beebalm, and other perennials may be a problem. To make an organic spray for powdery mildew, combine 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1 tablespoon Sunspray Ultrafine Horticultural Oil in 1 gallon of water. Mix well and spray plants completely, being sure to wet both tops and undersides of the leaves. Apply spray early in the day before temperatures get too hot (90°F)
Grooming Keep leaf litter at minimum by pruning off any dead or diseased stems, leaves, or branches. Continue deadheading perennials to encourage more blooms. Cut back fall-blooming Chrysanthemums now, and you will have bushier plants which won't be as likely to fall over once they begin blooming. Cut back fall-blooming plants like Joe-Pye Weed, Swamp Sunflower, and Iron Weed now so that you won't have to stake them in autumn.
References: Month by Month Gardening in Georgia by Walter Reeves & Erica Glasener
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