GARDENS BY THE BAY
YELLOW PERENNIALS & THEIR COMPANIONS - 1
Yellow, the "Sunshine of the Garden", can appear in many guises - gold, chrome, lemon, primrose, chartreuse, cream, buff. Then there are the hyphenated tones - golden-yellow, greenish-yellow, creamy-yellow, mustard-yellow, orangy-yellow, even canary-yellow. And there are degrees of yellow as well - deep, pale, soft, clear.
Care should be taken in choosing the complementary colours of companion plants. Try some of the recommended combinations below both to avoid unattractive pairings and to create dynamic garden pictures.
* Watch for the animated hummingbird and butterfly with the plants that attract them. *
The deer icon indicates plants that deer are not usually attracted to.
The best time and method to propagate plants can be found on our image-intensive PROPAGATION page.
To help your plants grow their best, check out our FERTILIZATION page.
To create your own plant partnerships based on tried and true color theory, check out our GARDEN COLOR page.
To see if a particular plant is on this page press Ctrl+F, type in the name, then click the Find button.
ACHILLEA
Have you ever noticed that the mention of certain plant names immediately brings a particular colour to mind? This is true of the Yarrows which make me think "yellow". While the plant combination ideas under the first heading below might apply to Yarrows of any colour, the remainder are particularly appropriate for the yellow cultivars named.
Achillea: Yarrow, flat-topped shape
where: sunny spots with summer-blooming plants
foliage contrast with: bold-leaved perennials & annuals, Ornamental Grasses, Yucca
shape contrast with: spiky Salvia
with: Coreopsis, Hemerocallis spp, Lilium spp.
Achillea filipendulina 'Gold Plate'; Fernleaf Yarrow, a deep yellow, to 5' tall
where: front or mid-border plant
with: Ornamental Grasses
beside: deep purple Salvia x superba, blue Lavandula, Alchemilla mollis
near: Macleaya cordata (huge and invasive)
behind: Agapanthus patens
combined with: Phlox paniculata (white), Hemerocallis (tawny-coloured) & Aconitum x bicolor
in front of: Alcea rosea (white), with Gypsophila paniculata nearby
Achillea filipendulina 'Parker's Variety': Fernleaf Yarrow, golden-yellow, 3-4' tall
with: Salvia, Lavandula, Alchemilla mollis
Achillea x 'Anthea': primrose yellow fading to cream, only 12-18"x12"
with: almost anything - its colour fits in anywhere
with: Buddleia x 'Lochinch'
Achillea x 'Coronation Gold': mustard-yellow, 3' tall
where: middle of the perennial border
near: Eryngium spp, Campanula spp
with: Salvia x superba & Chrysanthemum x superbum
with: Ornamental Grasses
combined with: Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' & Eremurus Shelford Hybrids
with above two behind: Astilbe (red) & Geranium psilostemon (magenta)
long-blooming combination with: Delphinium 'Bluebird', 'Blue Jay' or 'Summer Skies' & Chrysanthemum x superbum
combined with: Hemerocallis 'Joan Senior', Miscanthus sinensis 'Silberfeder' & Veronicastrum virginicum 'Album'
combined with: Lavandula 'Munstead', Lilium, Lythrum, Nepeta, Salvia, Veronica (all together)
beside: Echinops 'Taplow Blue', Cleome 'Helen Campbell'
Achillea x 'Moonshine': a hybrid Yarrow, soft yellow, 18-24"x12"
seen above with: Geranium 'Johnson's Blue', just one of the many companions suggested below
with: Asclepias tuberosa, Nepeta x faassinii, Nepeta sibirica 'Blue Beauty', Geranium 'Johnson's Blue',
Centranthus ruber 'Roseus'
combined with: Iris x germanica (cream and blue), Paeonia (pale pink), Linum perenne, Veronica, Dictamnus albus purpureus (white)
as edging combined with: Nepeta 'Blue Wonder', Coreopsis 'Moonbeam', Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet' &
Arrhenatherum elatius var. bulbosum 'Variegatum' (cream-striped)
with above edging combo in front of: Lilium & Hemerocallis (both lemon), Artemisia 'Powis Castle',
Delphinium 'Belladonna' (sky-blue), Eryngium, Echinops ritro, Kniphofia (primrose-yellow)
with above 2 combinations in front of: Rosa 'Harrison's Yellow', Achillea 'Gold Plate',
Helenium (yellow), & Artemisia lactiflora
beside: Sedum spurium 'Dragon's Blood', Erigeron 'Prosperity', Berberis 'Rosy Glo'
in front of: Veronica
offset behind: Platycodon grandiflorus & Chrysanthemum parthenium
offset behind: Liatris scariosa 'September Glory' & Lythrum 'Robert'
offset in front of: Aster novae-angliae & Anemone x hybrida
offset in front of: Helictotrichon sempervirens & Salvia 'East Friesland'
between: Astilbe x arendsii 'Deutschland' & Monarda didyma 'Cambridge Scarlet' or 'Croftway Pink'
between: Hemerocallis 'Golden Gift' & Lupinus
between: Stachys byzantina & Salvia 'East Friesland'
behind: Ajuga (purple-leaved)
Achillea 'Summer Pastels': cream-coloured
with: tall Campanula forms, Perovskia atriplicifolia, white Phlox paniculata
Achillea 'Great Expectations': a Galaxy Hybrid, to 2', buff-yellow
combined with: Helenium (rusty-red), Hemerocallis (any colour) & cream-banded Zebra Grass
Of course there are Yarrows of many other colours. Follow the links below to find the colour forms indicated.
orange Yarrow forms
pink Yarrow forms
red Yarrow forms
Yarrow with silver foliage
white Yarrow forms
ACONITUM
If the Yarrows bring the colour yellow to mind, the Monkshoods make me think "purple". But in fact there is even a yellow form as you can see below. I grew it once and found it not to my liking, but have regretted ever since not giving it a longer period of time to grow on me. Or perhaps to keep it as a conversation piece. Maybe I'll give it another try soon.
Aconitum pyrenaicum: Yellow Monkshood, a yellow form, 2-3'x2'
synonym: Aconitum lamarkii
with: Lythrum, Monarda, Gypsophila paniculata, Phlox paniculata (pink)
Follow the links below for other colour forms of Monkshood and useful information about their growth.
blue Monkshood forms
purple Monkshood forms
ALCEA
Towering Hollyhocks would be a perfect perennial if only their foliage did not become disfigured by rust, a fungal disease. I recently read, however, that older plants tend to be not only less vigorous but also more susceptible to disease. So grow them from seed and treat them as the biennials they are, enjoying their foliage in the first year, the flowers in the second. Remove plants after they finish blooming, saving some seeds from your favourite forms to sow every year, in sites with at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Choose from single, semi-double or fully double forms. Keep soil moist until they become established. Never compost any parts of the plant.
Alcea ficifolia: Figleaf Hollyhock, Antwerp Hollyhock, soft yellow with deeper yellow centre
also called: Alcea rugosa
echo with: purple Iris with yellow bee guides, a yellow Hemerocallis i.e. 'Mme. Bellum' or 'Corky' &
a yellow-flowered Verbascum bombyciferum
combined with: Buddleia 'Red Plume', Echinops ritro & Liatris ligulistylis
Alcea rosea 'Chater's Double': Hollyhock, yellow shades
behind: Baptisia australis, Paeonia, Dictamnus, Aconitum, Achillea (a 3' yellow form)
near: Gypsophila paniculata, Alcea (tall white forms)
Let the partnership ideas and information on the following pages spark your sense of creativity in planting these beauties.
orange Hollyhock forms
pink Hollyhock forms
red Hollyhock forms
white Hollyhock forms
Hollyhocks to attract Hummingbirds
ANTHEMIS
Marguerite and Chamomile are both common names for this yellow-flowered genus, all forms of which prefer lean, well-drained soil and full sun. They are relatively drought-tolerant once established. Dead-heading helps prolong the bloom period and cutting back hard once flower production slows will encourage the growth of fresh new foliage to finish out the season.
Anthemis tinctoria: Golden Marguerite, bright yellow, 1-3' tall
with: Alchemilla mollis, Hosta (golden-leaved or golden-marked forms), Iris pallida 'Aureo-Variegata'
with blue flowers: Campanula persicifolia, Gentiana
in front of: Phlox paniculata
Anthemis tinctoria 'Kelwayi': Marguerite, 2-3'x12-18"
among: larger, denser plants as "filler"
with: Salvia, Geranium spp, Monarda spp.
combination in front of: Monarda didyma 'Croftway Pink' & beside Hibiscus spp. (a bright pink shade)
AURINIA
Basket-of-Gold is absolutely covered in spring with tiny yellow 4-petalled flowers above somewhat fuzzy gray-green foliage. This perennial is relatively drought-tolerant once established but will not do well in hot, humid summers. Keep your plants compact in size by cutting back by a third after the flowering period is over.
Aurinia: Basket-of-Gold, 8-12"x1-2'
The gold colour of these wonderful spring edgers can vary through a wide range of yellow to gold tones. Check out the possibilities and partners at the following link.
Aurinia as edgers
CENTAUREA
Centaurea, or Knapweed, has a scaly base beneath the flowers. Full sun to light shade in average to rich, moist but well-drained soil is ideal. Use cut flowers for fresh flower arrangements or for drying. Dead-head regularly to encourage the formation of hew buds. The entire plant can be cut to just above soil level after bloom so new foliage will appear, and perhaps re-bloom in fall with some forms. Older plants can be divided in either spring or fall.
Centaurea macrocephala: Globe Centaurea, 3-4'x24"
with: garden Mums to take over display after bloom
combined with: Digitalis lanata, Salvia 'May Night' & Campanula persicifolia 'Grandiflora Alba'
Follow the links below to other colour forms of Knapweed. The partners you choose to plant with each type will be as different as the types themselves.
blue Knapweed forms
pink Knapweed forms
Knapweed with silver foliage
CEPHALARIA
This is a genus of coarse-foliaged, summer-blooming perannials which, because of their size, are especially suited for large gardens. The one below, in particular, commonly called Giant or Yellow Scabious, grows to a height of 6-8 feet. This huge bushy perennial looks like a Pincushion Flower on steroids. Its 2" wide, pale yellows flowers appear atop very tall stems. To create a more compact and bushier specimen, simply pinch back in May or June. Provide it with rich, moist, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. The aromatic foliage, anise-scented, is deeply cut and impressive. Performance may suffer in hot, humid climates although it is hardy to Zone 4. Propagate plants by division in spring or seed in autumn. Seeds will need to be stratified if sown indoors.
Cephalaria gigantea: Giant Scabious, Yellow Scabious, Tatarian Cephalaria, 6-8'x2-4'
synonym: Cephalaria tatarica, Cephalaria caucasica, Scabiosa gigantea
uses: good cut flower
where: rear position in large borders, naturalizing in wild gardens, light woodland clearings
among: large shrubs or trees in mixed borders
nice with: co-blooming blue- or lavender-flowered or silver-foliaged perennials
CHRYSOGONUM
Commonly called Green-and-gold or Goldenstar, this is a native perennial wildflower whose star-shaped yellow blooms appear from spring to early summer. Usually found in plant lists for woodland gardens it will spread out by rhizomes and runners at a moderate speed. A welcome and cheery addition wherever it is planted, it looks particularly nice wending its way around and under small rocks at a border's edge. Grow in full sun, or partial shade in areas with hot summers, in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Propagate by division in spring or fall.
Chrysogonum virginianum: Green-and-gold, Goldenstar, Golden Star
seen above weaving through Sedum sieboldii (October Daphne)
where: full sun to partial shade, woodland edges, sunny spots in shaded gardens
with blue- or purple-flowered plants: Linum perenne, Gentiana septemfida, Iris sibirica, Nepeta
with: Campanula poscharskyana
with: low groundcovers, small spring bulbs
interweaving through other edgers: Mazus reptans
COREOPSIS
Coreopsis, also known as Tickseed, grows best in full sun with well-drained soil, exposed to the heat it thrives on. Most forms are drought-tolerant once established. Once blossoms fade, cut off to the base of the stalks to keep the overall appearance tidy and to actually prolong the bloom period. Some forms are just too floriferous to cut each flower stalk at its base separately. An easier way for these types is to shear the entire plant by about one-third when spent blooms significantly outnumber new buds.
Coreopsis: Tickseed
with summer-blooming perennials: Lavandula, Hemerocallis, Geranium, Achillea, Campanula,
Echinacea purpurea
Coreopsis: early-blooming varieties
Coreopsis: later-blooming varieties
with: Rudbeckia, Gaillardia, Geum quellyon, Iris sibirica
Coreopsis grandiflora: Large-flowered Coreopsis, deep yellow, 1-2'x12"
with: Chrysanthemum parthenium
beside: pale orange Alstromeria
Coreopsis grandiflora 'Sunburst'
with: Lobelia cardinalis, Lysimachia clethroides
Coreopsis verticillata: Thread-Leaf Coreopsis, 18-36", 2" diameter yellow flowers
with: dark reds, bright oranges, pale yellow i.e. x Solidaster luteus
leaf contrast with: Curtonis or Crocosmia
with: Geranium, Achillea, Hemerocallis, Rudbeckia (esp. R. fulgida 'Goldsturm'), Echinacea
near: Chrysanthemum pacificum, Stachys byzantina, Artemisia
Coreopsis verticillata 'Golden Showers': golden-yellow, 2' tall
synonym: Coreopsis verticillata 'Grandiflora'
lively combined with: white, blue, red and purple
"hot" colour schemes with: scarlet, orange and yellow
with: Aster frikartii 'Mönch'
in front of: Hemerocallis (for contrast)
with: Hemerocallis 'Debbie Ann' to echo its yellow throat
beside: Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam': soft yellow, 24" tall
notice the paler yellow shade of this cultivar seen in close-up above
restful combinations with: pastel colours i.e. pink, lavender
with: "cool" shades of blue, pink, red and orange
with: Aster, Iris, Gaillardia pulchella, Echinacea spp, Phlox paniculata, Malva alcea 'Fastigiata' (pink),
Festuca ovina glauca (esp. 'Elijah Blue'), Heuchera 'Bressingham Bronze' or 'Palace Purple', Stachys byzantina, Perovskia x atriplicifolia (now Perovskia x superba), Dianthus caesius (D. gratianopolitanus) or Dianthus plumarius, Sedum 'Autumn Joy', Saponaria ocymoides
combined with: Echinacea purpurea 'Bright Star', Hemerocallis 'Little Grapette' (mauve), Allium 'Summer Beauty (pink)
Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb': compact (12") chrome-yellow
plant seen from a distance on the left and the flower in close-up on the right
with : Salvia nemerosa 'Lubeca', Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
This is a plant determined to please. Continuous summer-long blooms will find numerous complementary companions as you will see by following the links below.
edging Tickseed forms
orange Tickseed forms
pink Tickseed forms
CORYDALIS
Looking somewhat like the Bleeding Heart to which it is related, Corydalis has ferny foliage above which flowers appear on upright stems. Perfect for woodland edges, this perennial will thrive and spread in well-drained but moist soil.
Corydalis cheilanthifolia
this species, with foliage like the Lip Fern, Cheilanthes, would benefit from the same partners as the species below
Corydalis lutea: Golden Corydalis, 8-12"x12"
Follow the link to another colour form of Corydalis.
blue Corydalis
COTULA
This perennial, commonly known as New Zealand Brass Buttons, does not appear in many of my reference books. It is a creeping groundcover for an open garden site. Its spread can be aggressive. Keep it reined in or plant it between paving stones to curb its enthusiasm.
Cotula potentilliana: New Zealand Brass Buttons, 2"x12"
now: Leptinella potentilliana
where: between paving stones
CROCOSMIA
Also known as Montbretia, Crocosmia forms clumps of sword-like foliage. Funnel-shaped flowers appear on arching stems above the foliage. Blooms appear in mid-summer. In areas north of Zone 5 they must overwinter indoors. In Zone 5 a deep snow cover will help ensure success with this somewhat exotic-looking beauty.
Crocosmia 'Citronella': Montbretia, apple-green foliage, lemon yellow flowers
sometimes called: 'Golden Fleece'
in front of: Buddleia 'Lochinch'
behind: Geranium wallichianum 'Buxton's Variety'
beside: Digitalis purpurea 'Sutton's Apricot'
Want more of this exotic plant in your gardens? Find ideas and inspiration at the link below.
orange Crocosmia forms
CROCUS
Every crocus flower has 3 petals and 3 petal-like sepals. There are solid-coloured forms, forms with hints or bold stipes of contrasting colours, forms that bloom in spring and some that bloom in fall.
Crocus: yellow forms
Follow the link below to crocuses of every colour imaginable.
many crocus forms
DIANTHUS
In a genus dominated by pink-toned flowers, there are, believe it or not, a few yellow forms of Pinks. Provide them with well-drained soil for best results.
Dianthus caryophyllus: Hardy Carnation, Clove Pink, 14" tall, Zone 4
note: the yellow form is the least fragrant, pink and white the most fragrant
Dianthus knappii: Yellow Dianthus, Yellow Pinks, pale yellow, self-seeding, upright open habit, 18"x12"
combined with: Sedum 'Rosy Glow' & Euphorbia myrsinites
Follow the links below for Pinks of other colours.
edging Pinks forms
pink Pinks forms
red Pinks forms
Dianthus with silver foliage
white Pinks forms
DIGITALIS
The colour yellow does not immediately come to mind for this genus. If you want to add something different to your perennial collection, try any of the yellow forms below. Like other forms of Foxglove, these do best in a woodland situation but will adapt elsewhere if soil is moist and well-drained.
Digitalis ambigua: Yellow True Perennial Foxglove, a soft yellow, 2-3'x12"
synonym: Digitalis grandiflora
where: borders, woodland gardens
with: Papaver orientale
with: Campanula glomerata, Dicentra spp, Hosta, Ferns
Digitalis lutea: slender spikes, to 3'
where: perfect in a woodland setting, or in a flower arrangement
Follow the links below to Foxgloves of other colours.
pink Foxgloves
white Foxgloves
EUPHORBIA
This genus is dominated by yellow forms. What we call flowers are actually petal-like bracts defined as "a modified leaf on the stalk or at the base of a flower". The actual flowers of Spurges are insignificant. All forms exude a milky sap when stems or leaves are cut. Contact can cause skin irritation. Wash pruners after use.
Euphorbia: Spurge, spring & early summer bloomers
with blue flowers: Geranium pratense, Geranium himalayense, Geranium ibericum, Veronica longifolia,
Veronica austriaca 'Crater Lake Blue', Veronica austriaca spp. teucrium
Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Rubra': Purple Wood Spurge, 12-18"x24"
where: groundcover in partial shade, esp. among trees and shrubs
over : Antennaria dioica
in front of: Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' & Achillea millefolium 'Salmon Beauty'
Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae: Mrs. Robb's Spurge, yellow-green
where: in dry shade of trees
foliage contrast with: Hosta (large-leaved types), Helleborus, Epimedium
Euphorbia epithymoides: Cushion Spurge, 12-18"x18"
synonym: E. polychroma
where: dry sites; with afternoon shade in the north
with spring bulbs: Tulipa, Allium spp.
with: Myosotis, Stachys byzantina, Artemisia, Hemerocallis, Aquilegia, Hosta, Heuchera, Geranium
combined with: Dicentra spectabilis (pink) & Mertensia virginica
behind: Thymus (edger)
in front of: drifts of Tulipa (a colour that will complement the yellow-green of the spurge)
beside: Iris x germanica
Euphorbia griffithii: Griffith's Spurge, 20-36"x24"
with: purple and yellow co-bloomers
with: plants with purple-red, bronze-brown and gray foliage
Euphorbia myrsinites: Myrtle Euphorbia, Donkey-Tail Spurge, 6-10"x18"
seen above in early spring with purple-flowered Aubrieta
where: very dry sites, sunny rock gardens, in rock walls, front border position
amid: Ajuga (especially purple-foliaged forms)
with: dark-leaved dwarf conifers, bright perennials
with: Dianthus spp, Phlox subulata, Phlox bifida, Arabis, Sedum, Aubrieta
with: early-flowering bulbs
woven through: Sedum 'Rosy Glow' (bright pink) & Dianthus knappii (yellow)
Euphorbia palustris: Marsh Spurge, 4'
For more partnership ideas follow the link below.
Spurge with silver foliage
GAILLARDIA
The Blanket Flowers also have an interesting flower structure, as do other members of the Aster family. Flower heads have "ray" florets of different colours around dense rounded centres of "disk" florets which produce seeds. Long-blooming if dead-headed, they also make good cut flowers.
Gaillardia grandiflora: Blanket Flower
where: hot, dry sites, containers, perennial borders
with: warm-coloured perennials
with: Achillea, Asclepias tuberosa, Chrysanthemum x superbum, Coreopsis (later-blooming forms), Coreopsis 'Moonbeam', Hemerocallis, Kniphofia, Lychnis chalcedonica (scarlet-orange),
Salvia (including S. x superba 'East Friesland'), Yucca filamentosa 'Golden Sword'
Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Baby Cole': 8" dwarf
with: Hemerocallis 'Thumbellina'
Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Goblin': Blanket Flower, 12", red and yellow flowers
echo with: Berberis thunbergii 'Bonanza Gold' (a dense, compact, bright gold mound)
Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Monarch Strain': 24-36"x24"
my favourite Blanket Flower form is seen above; root-pruning every year keeps it coming back in my Zone 5 gardens
More colours and colour combinations of Blanket Flowers ae available at the following links.
many Blanket Flower forms
red Blanket Flower forms
GEUM
Avens, which blooms in late spring and summer, has deeply divided foliage in a basal rosette. Flowers appear on slender stems above the foliage. Provide evenly moist, well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. Plant away from hot afternoon sun. Cool summers are ideal for best performance.
Geum chiloense 'Lady Stratheden': Chilean Avens, bright golden-yellow double, 24-30"x12"
formerly called: G. quellyon
generally with: dark blue and purple flowers
with: Brunnera, Myosotis, Rudbeckia hirta
Follow the link below for Avens of other colours.
orange Avens forms
HELENIUM
Want bright colours and a long bloom period in a mid to rear border position? Try Sneezeweed, also known as Helen's Flower, allegedly named after Helen of Troy. Flower petals are wedge-shaped and toothed at the ends which produces a somewhat lacy appearance. Beware - all parts of this plant are poisonous.
Helenium autumnale: Sneezeweed, Helen's Flower, hybrids from 3-4'x18-24"
with: Phlox paniculata, Monarda didyma, Aster, Coreopsis, Solidago
with: ferns, Ornamental Grasses, late-bloomers
with: Veronica, Aster, Solidago, Phlox paniculata, Monarda didyma, Coreopsis, Veronicastrum
Helenium 'Gold Fox'
beside: Lythrum salicaria 'Firecandle', crimson Papaver
in front of: Delphinium (blue)
Helenium 'Hoopesii': Orange Helenium, 2-3'x18"
Helenium autumnale 'Red & Gold Hybrids': yellow
what: seed strain of mixed shades, including yellow, orange, red and gold
at pond edge with: Veronica, Ferns, Grasses
with: Phlox paniculata, Monarda didyma, Aster, Coreopsis, Solidago, Ornamental Grasses
Helenium autumnale 'Sunball': bright yellow with a green centre, 4-5'
also called: Helenium autumnale 'Kugelsonne'
with: Helenium autumnale 'Brilliant'
Great drifts of this perennial create impact in a garden scene. Follow the links below for more ideas about what to plant nearby and how to grow them well.
orange Heleniums
HELIANTHUS
Sunflowers, many of which are annuals, also appear in perennial forms. Sturdy and easy to grow, they have showy flowers with ray florets around dense centers of disk florets like all members of the Aster family. Foliage is coarse-looking. Provide full sun and somewhat moist soil for best performance.
Helianthus: Sunflower, 5' or more
this plant came from a gardening friend who did not know the species or cultivar name to help identify it
where: moist, sunny locations
with: airy and small-flowered plants
with: Phlox paniculata, Gypsophila paniculata, Aster, Aconitum, Boltonia asteroides, Solidago, Eupatorium
with: summer bulbs, Ornamental Grasses
Helianthus decapetalus: Thin-Leaved Sunflower, bright-yellow, 4-5'x2-3'
also called: Helianthus x multiflorus
where: rich, moist soils, at the back of perennials borders
with: Phlox paniculata, Solidago, Sedum, Ornamental Grasses
behind: Phlox paniculata (white forms)
beside: lavender-coloured hardy Aster
with: Salvia azurea var. grandiflora
Helianthus x multiflorus 'Flore-Pleno': Perennial Sunflower, Many-Flowered Sunflower, bright yellow, 5'
with: Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
Helianthus salicifolius: Willow-Leaf Sunflower, 6-8'x2'
where: rear of perennial border, in rich, moist soils
naturalized with: Ornamental Grasses
Are sunflowers your kind of plant? Try the link below for more ideas and inspiration in their use.
more Sunflowers
HELIOPSIS
Commonly known variously as False Sunflower, Oxeye and Sunflower Heliopsis, this perennial is a native wildflower that likes average, well-drained soil and full sun. It is the first of the yellow daisies to bloom in summer.
Heliopsis helianthoides spp. scabra: False Sunflower, ranging from 3-6'x18-24"
with: summer perennials & grasses
with: Phlox paniculata, Liatris, Veronica, hardy mums, Aster, Hemerocallis, Lythrum, Iris sibirica
Heliopsis helianthoides 'Loraine Sunshine': golden-yellow, 2-3', variegated foliage
I predict you'll want this beauty from the moment you first see her with her wonderfully variegated foliage and low stature
with: Cimicifuga 'Black Negligee'
Heliopsis 'Summer Sun': False Sunflower, 3-4'x18-24", semi-double flowers
with: Hemerocallis (red or deep pink), Phlox paniculata, Liatris, Veronica, Aster, Asclepias tuberosa, Lythrum,
Iris sibirica, Garden Mums
with: Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light', Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus'
HEMEROCALLIS
The name Hemerocallis comes from the Greek hemera, meaning "day" and kallos meaning "beauty". Individual flowers do last for only one day but the overall bloom period is lengthy - from three to four weeks. The flowers have 6 tepals - 3 true petals and 3 sepals. There are numerous yellow forms, singles and doubles, some fragrant, some re-blooming.
Some of the daylilies below are Spider and Unusual Form Daylilies. Follow the link to learn more about the beautiful cultivars available in these two classes and see images that show their amazing appearance. You will also discover how to find suppliers of these classes in your area.
Hemerocallis flava: clear yellow, the earliest to bloom, 30-36"x24"
Hemerocallis 'Double Charm': soft yellow double flowers
This double-flowered beauty can be seen in the border around this page and in the image at the top of the page. It was a gift from a generous gardening friend.
Hemerocallis 'El Desperado': mustard-yellow with a plum-purple throat
with: just imagine the possibilities of plant combinations with the beauty above
Hemerocallis 'Kindly Light': Spider class daylily, scapes 29" tall, chartreuse flowers, mid-season bloom
This is the first Spider daylily I added to my beds. Many more are sure to follow.
To find out more about this class visit our new SPIDER & UNUSUAL FORM DAYLILIES page.
Hemerocallis 'Lady Fingers': Spider class daylily, yellow green self with green throat, bloom season M
this Spider daylily cultivar, Spider Ratio 4.80:1, was registered in 1967, scape height 32", bloom 6"
Hemerocallis 'Stella d'Oro': golden-yellow
where: in perennial borders, containers, on patio or deck
behind: Veronica 'Goodness Grows (a deep purple edger)
with: Iris pseudacorus, Syringa, Narcissus poeticus, true Lilium, Aconitum, Echinops ritro, Salvia 'May Night', Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome', Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
There are Daylilies of numerous other colours and colour combinations. Follow the links below to find the colour forms indicated.
numerous other Daylilies
orange Daylilies
pink Daylilies
purple Daylilies
red Daylilies
Spider and Unusual Form Daylilies
white Daylilies
HYPERICUM
There are perennial St. Johnswort forms as well as shrubs, also known as Aaron's Beard. They have bright yellow blooms from early summer to early fall, depending on type. Shrub forms bloom on the current season's wood, so should be cut back hard in spring. Provide them with full sun to partial shade in average, well-drained soil.
Hypericum calycinum: St. Johnswort
with: Aster x frikartii (blue)
in front of: spring-blooming shrubs
Hypericum kalmianum: Kalm's St. Johnswort, a shrub form
beside: Hyacinthus
FOR MORE YELLOW PERENNIALS & THEIR COMPANIONS, FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW.
All of our own Gardens By The Bay pages can be accessed by clicking on the links below.
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THE GARDENS
CORNER GARDEN CONSTRUCTION  |
CORNER GARDEN PLANTING |
LONG GARDEN
EAST GARDEN |
HOSTA GARDEN |
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PLANT PARTNERSHIPS
BLUE PERENNIALS Aconitum -
Geranium |
Iris - Vinca
BULBS Allium - Hyacinthus |
Narcissus only |
Tulipa only |
Minor Bulbs
BUTTERFLY MAGNETS Anaphalis - Hemerocallis |
Liatris - Veronicastrum
DAYLILIES Spider & Unusual Form
EDGERS Arabis - Iris |
Nepeta - Veronica
FOLIAGE PERENNIALS
Alchemilla - Tanacetum
HOSTA Hosta - all
HUMMINGBIRD-FRIENDLY PERENNIALS Alcea - Salvia
ORANGE PERENNIALS Achillea - Tulipa
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES Acorus - Imperata |
Miscanthus - Spodiopogon
PINK PERENNIALS Achillea - Lilium |
Lychnis - Veronica
PURPLE PERENNIALS Aconitum - Liatris |
Polemonium - Veronica
RED PERENNIALS Achillea - Veronica
SHADE PERENNIALS Aegopodium - Erythronium |
Ferns - Polemonium |
Polygonatum - Vinca
SILVER FOLIAGE PERENNIALS
Achillea - Cerastium
|
Cornus - Limonium
|
Lunaria - Veronica
SIMPLY SPECIAL PERENNIALS Acanthus - Saxifraga
WHITE PERENNIALS Achillea - Iris |
Kalimeris - Yucca
YELLOW PERENNIALS Achillea - Hypericum |
Inula - Verbascum
VARIEGATED-FOLIAGE PERENNIALS Acorus - Erythronium |
Hakonechloa - Lysimachia |
Miscanthus - Yucca
PLANT PROFILES
Dianthus 'Tiny Rubies' |
Geranium |
Geum coccineum |
Kerria japonica |
Knautia macedonica
Paeonia tenuifolia |
Papaver somniferum |
Rudbeckia |
Salvia 'East Friesland'
Trollius |
Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue'
PROPAGATION
DIVISION - SPRING ONLY |
DIVISION - FALL ONLY |
DIVISION - SPRING OR FALL |
DO NOT DIVIDE
FERTILIZATION
BULBS |
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES |
PERENNIALS |
SHRUBS |
VINES
LINKS
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