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[SG] daylilies in shade

Hi shadegarden robin members,

My name is Wade Welch. I reside in drought stricken Texas, NW of Fort
Worth-zone 7b. I am a daylily hybridizer of five years, and a hosta
lover of two years. I am new to the newer hostas, but have learned fast.
I want to get streaked and pie crusted cultivars next year. I do not
intend to hybridize, I just like streaks. This year I added 45+ to my
collection.
 I am a regular on the hosta forum (www.pal-metto.com/hosta/) and the
daylily forum (www.rjnet.com/cgi-bin/forum/daylily/dcboard,cgi).
 I would like to learn more about shade plants so that I can have
companions for my hostas and daylilies. Yes, daylilies in my shade beds
containing 500 hems.
 My interest right now is involving organic companion ecosystems with
the ability to thwart off pests, especially thrips. I have enjoyed a
presentation that enlightened me to this ecosystem, and I have alot of
written info. I am still excavating my gardens, but next year will begin
some sort of a project.
 As far as daylilies in the shade, it is all relative. They will have
fewer buds, less multiplication and rebloom, and leaning scapes. But
with part sun, or filtered shade, as I have, I actually have more
success with the hems in the shade.
 Why? Because of the heat (109) and drought (1/2' since April). And also
because cultivars vary in their abilty to retain vigor in stressful
situations. Many of my seedlings (which are in full sun) are doing
better than the high dollar hems in the shade.
 So, it is all relative. In a mild nothern climate, I doubt shade is
good, but some shade might be. Down here, I will keep my goodies in
shade as well as all pod parents, and my best seedlings will stay out in
the sun so I will have strong plants that withstand stress and also to
perform. They will not perform in this heat, though.
 I can say that when I start to run out of shade, I will make more room
for hostas!

Wade Welch
zone 7b
Texas
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