Are you looking for a couple perennial plant options that offer eye-catching blooms, low maintenance, and an easy way to fill in some space in your garden beds? Today’s blog featuring perennial agapanthus and perennial daylilies just might be the answer to your search. Let’s take a look at why these two tried and true beauties have been a favorite of San Antonio gardeners for years.
The Gorgeous Flowers of Perennial Agapanthus
Perennial Agapanthus, often known as the African lily, showcases stunning beauty with its striking clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers. The plant typically features long, slender green leaves that form a lush, arching base, creating a vibrant backdrop for its blooms. In the summer, tall stalks rise gracefully above the foliage, adorned with spherical clusters of delicate, tubular flowers that bloom in shades of blue, purple, or white. Each flower opens like a small star, creating a captivating display that attracts pollinators. The overall effect is a breathtaking spectacle, radiating elegance and charm in gardens and landscapes.
Growing Requirements for Perennial Agapanthus
- Light Exposure: Agapanthus thrives best in full sun but can tolerate, and even appreciate partial shade (especially in the throes of summer), making it versatile for various garden settings.
- Soil Moisture: This plant prefers well-drained soil; be cautious not to overwater, as soggy conditions can lead to root rot.
- Fertilization: A balanced fertilizer, like Osmocote, applied in spring can promote healthy growth and vibrant blooms.
- Resistance: Agapanthus is generally deer resistant and has a good reputation for pest and disease resistance. Remember though that deer are notorious for tasting anything at least once and when food is scarce they’ll eat things they don’t even like. They might top of a flower, but the plant is pretty resilient and bounces back.
- Varieties: Notable varieties include ‘Blue Ice,’ featuring stunning blue flowers, and ‘Storm Cloud,’ known for its striking dark foliage and clusters of blooms.
The Gorgeous Flowers of Perennial Daylilies
Perennial daylilies are captivating plants that showcase lush, arching leaves, typically ranging from vibrant green to deep emerald. Each leaf can grow up to two feet long, creating a graceful clump that sways gently in the breeze. The flowers of the daylily are truly stunning, displaying a wide array of colors, from sunny yellows and fiery oranges to soft pinks and rich purples. Each bloom features six petal-like tepals that open wide, revealing a delicate throat often adorned with a contrasting hue. These striking flowers, which can measure up to six inches across, bloom for only a day, but the plant’s prolific nature guarantees a continuous display throughout the growing season, making it a cherished addition to any garden.
Growing Requirements for Perennial Daylilies
- Light Exposure: Daylilies enjoy full sun to partial shade, offering flexibility for gardeners looking to plant them in various light conditions.
- Soil Moisture: They thrive in well-drained soil, but they can adapt to different moisture levels, making them resilient.
- Fertilization: A slow-release fertilizer, like Osmocote, in early spring will support their growth and flowering.
- Resistance: Daylilies are not so deer resistant, so these do best in fenced off, protected areas or in areas that deer don’t populate. They do tend to fend off other pests and diseases effectively.
- Varieties: Popular varieties include ‘Stella de Oro,’ with its bright yellow flowers and compact growth, and ‘Happy Returns,’ known for its prolific blooms and ability to rebloom throughout the season.
Both of these perennials bring beauty and resilience to gardens in San Antonio, making them excellent choices for most any landscape. I absolutely love how these look when planted in mass. The visual is striking and effective. Rady to give them a try?
~The Happy Gardener, Lisa Mulroy
Send me seeds. Sandilockaby@gmail.com
I wish I could order these online and have them picked up. I can’t go there due to being disabled and wheelchair bound.
Hi Mary,
You are always welcome to make a purchase over the phone with credit card, and then you could authorize someone to pick up for you. We just don’t have our inventory online to view. But if you knew what you wanted and what size, we could take a look at our inventory and help you out there. Here is a link with our locations and phone numbers.