Daylilies are perennial plants that add visual beauty and vibrancy to a garden.
Seasoned gardeners love daylilies for various reasons. It requires very little care and maintenance. What’s more, it can grow in the harshest of environments.
They come in different eye-pleasing colors, contrasting patterns, shapes, and sizes.
In this article, we will provide information about good companion plants of daylilies, the growing requirements, and information about pests and diseases.
So, let’s begin by understanding why daylilies require companion plants.
Why Does Daylily Need Companion Plants?
Daylilies need companion planting because it allows them to utilize the surroundings and fulfill their growing needs helping in better growth for both themselves and the companion plants.
Good companions of Daylilies attract pollinators. It will also get the moisture in the soil needed for daylilies and prevent dry roots.
The best companion plants will help protect Daylilies from by repelling insects and pests which can feed on daylilies.
Although daylilies are drought tolerant, they need partial shade, and good companion plants offer that occasional partial shade.
7 Best Daylily Companion Plants
Daylilies are very easygoing plants, and due to their high versatility and adaptability, they can gel with most plants.
Here are some plants that will benefit daylilies and your garden when planted nearby.
1. Dianthus
This sweet-smelling summer flower blooms in summer with a pinkish-purple color and is one of the best daylily companion plants.
They are good neighbors of daylilies as they have similar growing requirements. Both plants require full to partial shade for healthy growth and well-drained soil to thrive.
Dianthus attracts pollinators, and daylilies can benefit from its presence.
2. Zinnias
Zinnias are known to be the best neighbor Daylily could ask for. They both require well-drained soil and exposure to full sunlight, making it an easy choice for gardeners.
Zinnias’ height varies from 10 inches to an impressive 4 feet, and they also repel pests. This will make the daylily plant safe from disease attacks.
3. Yarrows
Yarrows and Daylilies come in a wide range of vibrant colors, such as yellow, yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds. You can pair contrasting colors of the two. For example, you can pair yellow daylilies with red Yarrows to create an eye-catching color combination.
Both daylilies and Yarrows attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. So each will benefit from the presence of the other in the vicinity.
Both require very little maintenance. So when planted together, you can have a beautiful-looking garden without excessive care or attention.
4. Black-Eyed Susan
Daylilies have a relatively short blooming period, whereas Black-eyed Susans have a longer flowering season in comparison. So when you plant the latter alongside daylilies, you can extend the overall blooming time in your garden and ensure a longer display of vibrant flowers.
Due to similar growing needs, it is known to be an excellent next-door partner of daylilies.
The vibrant yellow of Black-eyed Susan flowers can help create a striking contrast against the colors of the daylilies. This can make your garden look beautiful and visually appealing.
Both Black-eyed Susans and Daylilies attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which can benefit each other’s growth.
5. Bee Balm
Daylilies and Bee Balm attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which not only help in reproduction but enhances bio-diversity.
You would be aware by now that Daylilies have a short blooming period. On the other hand, Bee Balm has a longer blooming period, often lasting several weeks. When you plant them together, you will have a colorful-looking garden for much longer.
Bee Balm and Daylilies require similar amounts of sunlight-full sun or partial shade, so they can grow and thrive under similar light conditions.
6. Coral Bells
Coral Bells possess stunning foliage and come in various colors, such as green, purple, burgundy, and silver. When you pair Coral Bells with daylilies, you can add a contrasting foliage element to your garden.
Daylilies grow up to be quite tall. Coral Bells, on the other hand, is a more compact plant. When planted together, their difference in height and structure can create quite an interesting visual effect.
Many Coral Bell varieties produce delicate, bell-shaped flowers on tall stems that rise above the foliage. Their presence adds charm to the overall display and complements the smaller and less flashy flowers of Daylilies. Also, since Coral Bells have a longer blooming season, your garden will remain looking attractive throughout the growing season.
7. Lavender
Lavender has a calming and soothing scent. When Lavender is planted near daylilies, it enhances the sensory experience and creates a pleasant atmosphere.
Daylilies have strap-like foliage. Lavender, on the other hand, has narrow, aromatic leaves that are silvery-gray or green in color. This difference in foliage textures can create a contrast that will make your garden look beautiful.
Lavender is in high demand, as it possesses pest-repellent properties and, if planted nearby daylilies, will provide a layer of protection from insects like mosquitoes and flies.
2 Worst Companion Plants For Daylily
While there’re plants that are great companions of Daylilies, as mentioned in the previous section, there are a few which don’t gell well. They might do more harm than good when planted alongside Daylilies.
In this section of the article, we will explore some of the plants generally considered poor companion plants for daylilies.
1. Convallaria Majalis (Lily of The Valley)
Convallaria Majalis, also called Lily of the Valley, can quickly form dense underground patches. This aggressive habit can limit the growth of Daylilies.
Lily of the Valley produces dense, lush foliage that can reduce the amount of sunlight that daylilies can access. This can hamper the growth of Daylilies and may even cause them to die in the course of time. So, it’s better to place them away from daylilies.
Lily of the Valley can be susceptible to certain pests and diseases, such as aphids, snails, and fungal infections. Their presence in the garden can, as a result, increase the likelihood of pest infestations and diseases in daylilies.
2. Ferns
Ferns and daylilies compete for water, nutrients, and sunlight when planted together. Needless to add, this competition would be bad for Daylilies and may result in reduced growth and longevity.
Ferns can sometimes attract pests such as slugs and snails, which can prove to be harmful for daylilies. Also, if ferns become infected with diseases or pests, they will likely spread the infestations or diseases onto daylilies.
Ferns have lush foliage that can create a dense canopy over other nearby plants. Excessive shade caused by ferns can inhibit the growth and flowering capacity of daylilies, as the latter requires full sun or at least partial shade to thrive.
What Are Daylily’s Growing Requirements?
Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are popular perennial plants known for their vibrant blooms. Yet they can thrive and grow without needing a huge amount of maintenance and care on your part.
Let’s get down to it.
1. Water Requirements
Daylilies are relatively drought-tolerant once they have grown to their full size. That said, keeping the soil moist at all times can be beneficial for their growth and flowering.
Water deeply and regularly during the growing season, especially during dry periods. Overwatering should be avoided, as excessive moisture can lead to root rot and other fungal diseases.
2. Soil Requirements
Daylilies prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. However, they can adapt to various soil types, including loam, clay, or sandy soil, as long as it is well-drained.
Adding compost or organic matter to the soil before planting can help improve its fertility, moisture retention, and overall quality.
3. Fertilizing Requirements
Daylilies are not heavy feeders but can benefit if you fertilize the soil occasionally. You need to apply a balanced slow-release or granular fertilizer in early spring or after the plants have finished blooming to get the full benefit.
You can also use organic fertilizers, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to provide nutrients to the plants.
4. Temperature Requirements
Daylilies are considered versatile and hardy plants that can tolerate almost any weather conditions.
It is a drought-tolerant plant that can withstand hot temperatures, but keeping them moist and green is ideal.
5. Sunlight Requirements
Daylilies thrive in full sun to partial shade. They require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day for healthy growth and abundant flowering.
However, some varieties can tolerate more shade than others. It makes them versatile, with the ability to survive under different light conditions.
Grass Diseases And Pests
Daylilies are considered to be healthy plants that do not suffer significant pests and disease issues. However, there are some challenges for the plant; let’s look closer.
1. Leaf Streaks
It is a kind of fungal disease which many gardeners often ignore. If your leaf has a brown elongated streak with yellowish borders, it’s a leaf streak that needs immediate attention.
2. Slugs And Snails
Daylilies are prone to Slugs and Snails; they attack early spring and target leaves instead of flowers.
These insects hide during daylight in moist areas and come out to attack in the dark. Chemical fertilizers can be an excellent option when it comes to eliminating them.
3. Flower Thrips
A dark-colored invasive pest that poses a severe risk to daylilies. They can be seen in flower petals and feed on the flowers before they open, and eventually, flowers die.
They also feed on leaves, which then turn brown and die.
Conclusion
In this article, we learned about the seven best companion plants of daylilies you can choose to get the most out of daylilies and showcase a productive and vibrant garden not to mention the two worst companions you should avoid at all costs.
We also mentioned the Daylily’s growing requirements and diseases and pests.
We hope this article will be a great help when looking for the right plant to plant alongside Daylilies.
Choose wisely, and Happy Gardening, my friends!