11 Companion Plants To Pair With Daylilies In The Fall For A Stunning Spring Garden

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are prized as a resilient, showy flower ideal for a diverse range of climates and conditions. These tough perennials can withstand heat, drought, any type of soil, and pests effortlessly. They do, however, come with one caveat. Their blooms only last one day — hence the name daylilies. But this is easy to shrug off when you realize that each stem produces dozens of buds to offer non-stop blooms from spring to winter. This impressive plant is a flower lover's dream. But what could possibly stand its own beside the daylily? We know of 11 companion plants up for the task, from English lavender to coneflower.

Before we explore these companion plants, let's find out if the daylily is a good fit for your garden. As we mentioned, this flower can withstand harsh conditions so it does well in a range of climates. It's suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9. Gardeners can choose from over 80,000 registered cultivars featuring lily-like blooms in striking red, orange, purple, and more. There are also countless patterns to choose from as well. They grow anywhere from 1 to 4 feet tall. They are considered poisonous for cats but not for humans or dogs. In fact, they're frequently used as an ingredient in Asian cuisine. While they aren't too picky about where they grow, they do best with roughly 6 hours of full sun. They also tend to compete for moisture and nutrients with shrubs and trees, hindering daylilies' growth. Instead plant them beside the following companions.

The false indigo (Baptisia australis), also known as the wild indigo, is an excellent companion to daylilies. These blue and purple perennials are simple to keep. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They can grow to be about 3 to 5 feet tall and roughly 3 feet wide. Like daylilies, this flower can grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9. As a part of the pea family, it's a nitrogen-fixer, which makes it a great companion. Plant in spring or warm fall weather to enjoy blooms from late spring to early summer.

Another wonderful perennial to pair with daylilies is white yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Featuring flat clusters of pale flowers, it looks lovely next to any daylily cultivar. It's fairly simple to grow and take care of white yarrow in zones 3 to 9. They are drought-tolerant and do just fine in dry to medium, well-drained soil. While pests avoid it, butterflies and other pollinators flock to it, making it a valuable companion plant. You can sow white yarrow seeds after a cold stratification period in early spring or you can also transplant yarrow from a nursery pot in the fall.

Another versatile daylily companion is English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). This herbaceous perennial is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9. Its fragrant purple blooms and silver foliage pair well with a variety of daylilies and work to deter pests such as deer and rabbits. This plant is cold-hardy and heat-tolerant. It grows well in a variety of soil conditions but prefers neutral to alkaline acidity levels. As long as you plant it about two months before your first frost, you can establish English lavender in your garden in the fall.

The black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is an attractive yellow and brown perennial in the sunflower family. It attracts a variety of pollinators, making it a great companion for daylilies and your other plants. It also serves as a food source for birds in the fall and winter, drawing in local wildlife. Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9, this flower is easy to grow and care for. It's drought-tolerant and prefers full sun like the daylily. Sow black-eyed Susan seeds in the fall directly into loose top soil.

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis) is another herbaceous perennial perfect to pair with daylilies. Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8, it easily flourishes in a range of conditions. It features scalloped, light green leaves and a spray of yellow-green flowers. While it's best to plant in the spring, you can transplant established clusters in the fall to enjoy blooms from late spring to early summer. Lady's mantle are not drought-resistant but this can aid in balancing soil conditions in areas with uneven watering. They also attract butterflies while deterring deer and rabbits.

Ornamental grass can add depth and texture to your flower garden, perfectly framing vibrant daylilies. One excellent option is switch grass (Panicum virgatum). This perennial forms in clusters of bright green leaves featuring sprays of reddish-purple flowers from late summer into fall. They are a hardy, low-maintenance companion plant that won't try to out compete daylilies for nutrients. They also help to prevent soil erosion with their substantial root system. You can plant nursery pot plants in the fall before the ground freezes to enjoy in your spring garden.

Another resilient flower to pair with daylilies is the coneflower (Echinacea). This genus of flower belongs to the daisy family and is considered an herbaceous perennial. It's suitable to grow in hardiness zones 3 to 9. They are incredibly tough, tolerating just about any condition. This is a choice contender as a companion plant as it attracts tons of pollinators. Even though coneflowers bloom from summer to fall, they still add value to a spring garden with their lance-shaped foliage. Sow seeds after the first frost in the fall to allow for a proper cold stratification period.

Russian sage (Salvia yangii) is a bushy, deciduous perennial featuring delicate, purple flowers. This resilient companion to the daylily is suitable to plant in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9. Durable in most conditions, it is a great addition to dry landscapes. Since it's fairly drought-tolerant like the daylily, these two plants play nice together. It also attracts loads of pollinators, including hummingbirds, making it a great asset to your whole garden. Plant your Russian sage in the late fall to enjoy in your spring garden.

Renowned as a popular cut flower, baby's breath (Gypsophila paniculata) is also a great companion to the daylily. Despite its delicate appearance, these tiny, white flowers stand strong against drought, harsh sunshine, and disease. This perennial is suitable to grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9. Not only do daylilies and baby's breath look lovely together, but they also work well side by side in a garden plot due to their shared low-maintenance nature. Baby's breath also attracts pollinators such as butterflies. Sow seeds directly outside in the fall in preparation for your spring garden.

The shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) is a flowering perennial hybrid featuring large white flowers with yellow centers. As long as these flowers are established in well-drained soil, they flourish generously. Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9, these showstoppers provide beautiful foliage and blooms from spring into fall. Shasta daisies are a perfect companion for daylilies since they grow in the same conditions and attract a host of pollinators such as bees and butterflies. You can sow seeds directly outside during early fall.

Last but most certainly not least, bee balm (Monarda spp.) is another fantastic companion to daylilies. This flowering perennial features two-lipped flowers in a variety of colors including vivid red, pink, purple, and more. It's suitable to grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9 and blooms best in full sun. Its potent aroma deters deer and rabbits while attracting hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Plant in the spring or the fall to enjoy foliage and blooms throughout the growing season.