Daylily Garden

GARDEN PLANS

[THE PLAN] DAYLILY-FILLED GARDEN PLAN Mix a variety of daylilies with other reliable plants for tons of carefree color.

B B D A D E E C D

D B C A A

B B C C

PLANT LAYOUT DIAGRAM (each square = 1 foot) LIST

A 24 HOSTA C 30 IMPATIENS (Hosta plantaginea) (New Guinea Group) Zones 3-8 Annual

B 30 THREAD- D 20 DAYLILY LEAVED (Hemerocallis spp.) TICKSEED Zones 3-10 (Coreopsis verticillata) E 12 CALADIUM Zones 4-9 BICOLOR Zones 9-12

swath of masonry or stone set even with the surrounding soil to act TIPS FOR INSTALLING as a mowing strip. Mulching: Mulch your garden after planting. Mulch conserves YOUR GARDEN moisture, cools the soil, and protects against water runoff BEFORE YOU BEGIN After your bed is prepared, water it thoroughly and and erosion. Organic Preparation is the key to creating a garden that wait a week. This will allow weed seeds to germinate. mulches such as will offer a lifetime of pleasure. Before you head Pull these seedlings or dig them back into the soil. Or shredded bark need to the nursery, review all garden plan materials. spray them with an herbicide. Follow the instructions to be topped off every Ask yourself the following questions: on the packaging, including the time to wait after couple of years as the application before planting. mulch decays. Mulches Do I have a suitable spot for this plan? such as crushed stone The layout diagram shows the dimensions for the PLANTING are more permanent, plan. In general, you can enlarge or reduce the If you have all of your plants on hand, keep them but they do not improve size of the garden by adding or eliminating plants, in their pots and set them out on the planting bed. your soil over time. although the character of the garden may change This will give you a preview of how the bed will look, if you alter the size dramatically. and allow you to make adjustments before digging CARE TIPS any holes. The first season of Do I have the right growing conditions? growth is the most Check the plant list to see if the plan will do best in When you are satisfied with the placement, plant critical. Water thor- sun, part shade, or full shade. Be sure that the plants your garden from largest to smallest container (usually oughly every other day are suited to your USDA Zone. trees first, then shrubs, perennials, and finally annuals). for the first two weeks, then give your garden Do I need to amend my soil? Tree-Planting Tips: Dig a hole that’s twice as about an inch of water Most plants thrive in moist, but well-drained soil. wide as the pot or root ball but no deeper. If the tree a week for the rest of If you have soil with lots of sand or clay, amend it is potted, loosen the soil slightly around the roots, then the season. The liberally with lots of organic matter, such as compost. place the tree into the planting hole. For balled-and- following year, you burlapped trees, loosen the burlap after the tree is in Is my soil’s pH and fertility okay? can let nature take its the hole. Cut away as much of the burlap as possible. If you’re unsure, inquire about testing at your county’s course, supplementing When the tree is in place and straight, fill the hole extension service office. Follow the recommendations dry periods with deep one-third with soil, tap firmly to make good contact that come with your test results. If you need to correct watering. You should between roots and soil, then water. Repeat twice more the soil’s pH (how acid or alkaline the soil is) or fertility. also be diligent about until the hole is filled. Water the tree thoroughly by weeding your bed CREATE THE BED letting a hose run slowly for 30 minutes. during the first year. As To lay out your bed, use a garden hose to mark the plants mature and the outline. (Or sprinkle flour along the hose for Shrub-Planting Tips: Plant shrubs in a hole that’s fill in, there will be fewer a more temporary mark.). Using a sharp spade, dig about twice the diameter of the root ball. The top opportunities for weeds along the marked line to set the edge of your bed. of the root ball should be slightly above the surround- to grow. A thick layer If the spot is currently covered by lawn, remove the ing soil level. Backfill with garden soil, taping firmly of mulch will also help sod using a straight-edged shovel or sod cutter. To to ensure a contact between soil and roots. Water keep weeds in check. make this easier, wet the area thoroughly, then use immediately by slowly running a hose at the shrub’s the shovel to cut the lawn into strips that are the base for about 20 minutes. Most plants will thrive width of the shovel and about 3 feet long. (Sharpen with minimal care. If you Perennial- and Annual-Planting Tips: Set these the edge of your shovel frequently with a file.) Use need to prune trees or plants in soil at the same level they were growing the shovel to pry up and roll back the strips of sod. shrubs to maintain their in the pot. Firm the soil around each plant with your Once the sod is removed, loosen the underlying soil shape or size, do it in hands, then water thoroughly. with a shovel or a power tiller. late winter before growth has started. Regardless of how you prepare your bed, use this FINISHING TOUCHES The exception to this opportunity to mix in organic matter (such as compost, Edging: Beds and borders are easier to maintain general rule is peat moss, or rotted manure) and loosen the soil at if they’re edged to keep surrounding grass or weeds spring-flowering shrubs least 6 inches deep. Don’t mix in fertilizer unless your from growing in. Choose plastic, metal, stone, or like lilacs that should be soil test shows a need; in general, excessive amounts brick—whatever you prefer.If you have lawn around pruned immediately of fertilizer will do more harm than good. your bed, consider adding a 6- to 12 inch-wide after flowering.