Low Maintenance Summertime Blooming Gardens
Summertime in the garden means garden phlox, Phlox paniculata, and daylilies, Hemerocallis sp., to many gardeners. These summer blooming tried and trues are the perfect plants for the low maintenance landscape homeowners strive for.
At Maymont phlox lights up the summer border with white, pink and lilac blossoms held high for all to see. While daylilies may not be as tall, their color combinations and flower styles catch the eye of every visitor who passes by. Daylilies are aptly named because the flower is open just one day. There are many flower buds on a scape (flowering stem) providing blossoms daily for a few weeks without cessation. With additional watering some daylilies rebloom later in the season and Maymont’s Daylily Garden, near the Children’s Farm, focuses on show casing these cultivars of Hemerocallis sp.
When choosing plants for your garden consider the color of the blossom, the height of the blooming scape and the season of bloom. Does it bloom early, mid- or late in the summer. Always mix and match the blooming seasons for summer long color in your garden.
Hemerocallis ‘Cherokee Mary’ is a favorite of mine, actually they are all my favorites but I like this red one right now. This red daylily was introduced into cultivation in 1997. It was hybridized by Lowder out of Trenton, Florida. The double blossoms are 6" wide on 17" high scapes. The flowers are fragrant and occur early in the summer daylily bloom season, with additional watering this plant will rebloom later in the summer. The foliage is evergreen in the winter. To keep plants healthy plant daylilies in full sun, although they can manage a little shade, and fertilize sparingly. Good compost makes excellent organic fertilizer. Mulch the plants to reduce weeds and retain soil moisture for good blossoms. I remove the spent blossoms almost daily and watch my plants for foliage diseases and insect problems. With so many resources online, these problems are easily diagnosed.
Peggy Singlemann is a regular guest on Virginia Home Grown, and shares expert gardening tips and information either from the beautiful grounds of Maymont or by answering your questions in our studio.
Dear Peggy,
I spent three years questioning you and kept all of that knowledge close to heart. When going out of town, my father in law (still here - 88 years young) wants to know what 'posies needs watered.'
I tell him that if anything needs watered, it doesn't belong here! He looks at me with question and shuffles on his way. I have planted my whole yard with native plants and directed the spring to a various game of shoots and ladders to keep my tomatoes and peppers alive. I do have planters on the patio that I have allowed Dad the giver of life or death over. With the exception of a 2 year old brugmasia, tri color that I have pampered from nothing but it's roots. It's beautiful now and I wouldn't have known about it if if weren't for you!
You are a fantastic teacher, making learning fun and exciting and I thank you for introducing me to the wonders of VA native gardening!
Thank you for your kind words!
You humble me.
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