Before the first bloom even appears, daylilies contribute significantly to your landscape's curb appeal through their foliage. The arching, grass-like leaves form dense, fountain-shaped clumps that provide excellent textural contrast to broader-leaved plants like hostas or heucheras. This foliage acts as a persistent structural element in the garden bed, creating a lush, green backdrop throughout the growing season. For a neat, formal appearance, consider planting a single cultivar in a sweeping drift or a straight line along a walkway. The uniformity of the foliage creates a cohesive, intentional look. Conversely, for a more relaxed, cottage-garden feel, mix daylilies with different leaf habits; some cultivars have straighter, more upright leaves, while others cascade gracefully. The foliage also helps to suppress weeds and prevent soil erosion, making it as practical as it is beautiful.
The spectacular bloom sequence of daylilies is their main event, and strategic color selection is paramount for maximizing curb appeal. Instead of planting a random assortment of colors, create a cohesive color scheme. For a calming, elegant front yard, choose a monochromatic palette. A bed filled with daylilies in varying shades of yellow, from pale lemon to deep gold, can be stunning. Alternatively, use analogous colors (those next to each other on the color wheel), such as pink, peach, and soft coral, for a harmonious blend. For a bold, dramatic statement, complementary colors like purple and yellow will make your landscape pop. Remember to coordinate with your house's exterior color; soft pastels complement a white or light-colored house, while vibrant reds and purples can add warmth to a darker brick facade.
A common misconception is that daylilies only bloom for a short period. In reality, by selecting a mix of cultivars based on their bloom time, you can ensure a succession of color from late spring through early fall. Incorporate a selection of early-season, mid-season, and late-season blooming varieties. Furthermore, pay attention to the reblooming trait. Many modern cultivars are "rebloomers" or "everbloomers," meaning they will produce multiple flushes of flowers throughout the season after a brief rest. Interspersing these reblooming daylilies with standard ones guarantees that even as some plants finish their display, others are preparing for their next, maintaining a dynamic and inviting curb appeal for months on end.
Daylilies are excellent team players and shine when combined with other plants that complement their growth habit and aesthetic. To create depth and year-round interest, layer your plantings. Place taller plants behind daylilies; ornamental grasses like switchgrass or fountain grass add height and motion. In front of daylilies, use low-growing, sprawling plants to soften the edges of beds and cover the base of the daylily clumps. Excellent choices include creeping phlox, sedum, or lamb's ear. For simultaneous bloom interest, pair daylilies with perennials that have different flower forms. The spiky blooms of salvia or veronica create a beautiful vertical contrast to the open, trumpet-shaped daylily flowers. Shrubs like spirea or dwarf hydrangeas can serve as a permanent anchor in the bed, with daylilies providing seasonal color at their feet.
Beyond general bed planting, daylilies can be used to solve specific landscaping challenges and enhance curb appeal in targeted ways. Their tough, adaptable nature makes them ideal for planting on slopes or embankments where their fibrous root system helps hold the soil. Use them to create a colorful, low-maintenance groundcover that is far more interesting than turf grass. They are also perfect for lining a driveway or walkway, guiding the eye—and visitors—toward your front door. Planting a mass of a single, bright-colored daylily cultivar along a path creates a strong visual line. For a focal point, select a large-flowered, striking cultivar and plant it in a prominent spot, perhaps flanking the entrance steps or near a mailbox, where its spectacular blooms can be fully appreciated.
