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Re: [SHADEGARDENS] Flowers

In a message dated 98-03-01 08:10:22 EST, you write:

<<
 About daylilies - true, daylilies can take some shade, but they will
 do much better in full sun.. it is a myth that they are shade lovers.
 Must come from those old fulva plants around old or abandoned homes,
 where they are still 'showing up'  even though the areas have been
 overgrown with trees and undergrowth. >>

There are species daylilies that are well adapted to shade.  Hemerocallis
flava (now lilioasphodelus) blooms exuberantly in the sun and acceptably in
the shade. It is  daffodil yellow.  This species blooms in zone 4 in MAY.  The
flowers last more than a day and are very fragrant.   Where you cannot keep
tulips from the critters this is a good substitute.
Easily purchased are also dumortierii and middendorffi both early spring
bloomers.  A yellow flowered sort with many small flowers that produces
blossoms in late summer is hemerocallis multiflora.  This is all assuming some
filtered sun at some part of the day not total permanent shade where the list
is much shorter.

All of the species are more delicate in appearance and are very tough and
hardy plants.  The species daylilies additionally hold good green foliage all
season unlike the hybrids which often look pretty awful after bloomin (some
before).

Hemerocallis fulva, much maligned as a weed, has a purpose in large gardens.
It will crowd out weeds and hold banks.  Fulva will grow and prosper in all
kinds of shade.  There may be fewer flowers but healthy clumps of green will
be better than weak clumps of something else that is struggling.  I have a
huge patch of fulva on the side of pond where it is contained by the lawn
mower.  Fulva buds not too near roads can be collected and eaten.  I have not
been much interested in weed eating but hem. fulva buds are worth the trouble.

On another line I was surprised to hear than hemerocallis fullva does not grow
in the west.  A Colorado writer stated he could not establish it in his
garden.

Of course it is not for the planned border.  The point is that many plants
have a purpose elsewhere.

Claire Peplowski
East Nassau, NY
zone 4
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