Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 14, 1991 TAG: 9103190148
SECTION: LAWN & GARDEN PAGE: LG-15 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Virginia Cooperative Extension Service
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Daylilies
The bright orange daylily that blooms along roads and on railroad banks is a showy summer perennial. Plant breeders have "tamed" or "changed" the color, and your garden may have yellow, orange, maroon or pinkish daylilies.
Many nursery gardeners grow only daylilies. A single mature plant may have more than 50 blossoms and by choosing only four of the many varieties, you can have blooms all summer.
Divide large daylily clumps as soon as they have finished blooming. They like full sun or partial shade, but are content with only four hours of sunlight a day.
Some daylilies grow only 2 feet tall; others show their flowers on 4- foot stems. Select a variety whose height and color fit into your border plan. Plant them in large clumps next to shrubbery or wherever you need lots of green foliage.
Daylilies grow in practically all types of soil, but bloom more if you mix organic matter or compost into the soil when you plant them. z
Gaillardia
Gaillardia, also known as blanket flower, has blooms of rich yellow with red centers. The cut flowers keep well and can be used for corsages.
Gaillardia is easily divided in the spring and thrives in any soil except heavy clay. Since it blooms from June until after killing frosts, it can be planted in front of iris for a nice display.
The many soft, hairy leaves tend to hide the iris after it has finished blooming. With a height of up to 3 feet, gaillardia can be planted in the middle of the flower border. A low-growing form under 1 foot in height is available.
Coreopsis
Coreopsis is a popular yellow daisy-like flower, sometimes called tickseed. Coreopsis blooms from June until frost. The leaves are narrow and light green, and the yellow flowers are from 2 to 3 inches across.
The flowers are on long, graceful stems, making them attractive for indoor use. Continual removal of the faded flowers before seeds form assures a supply of coreopsis blooms all summer.
It is best to divide the crowded plants in early spring and to reset them about 3 feet apart. All coreopsis asks is plenty of sunlight and good soil. Shasta daisy Shasta daisy is a friendly neighbor for coreopsis. It, too, has daisy-like flowers and blooms freely, giving many blossoms that fit into any summer flower arrangement.
Shasta daisy
Shasta daisy is related to fall mums; new varieties are double and look much like chrysanthemums.
Sun and good soil keep Shasta daisies content. Divide crowded plants in early spring and reset them near the middle off the flower border since the plants grow to a height of about 2 feet. Bugs and diseases seldom bother Shasta daisies.
Phlox
Phlox means flame in Greek. No doubt the bright red heads of the standard variety are the reason for its name.
Phlox is found in many perennial gardens, probably because the large clusters of showy flowers come in many colors, and cultivars vary in height and time of bloom. A planting with colors graded from light to pink to dark red is most striking. The blooms can also be used for cut flowers.
Phlox is best planted in groups in beds along driveways and paths and in front of shrubbery. They are hungry plants and need plenty of moisture and good rich soil. If set too close together, phlox may be attacked by mildew.
by CNB