Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are wonderful plants and there are hundreds of different varieties on the market.  I like daylilies best when they are massed or at least used in clumps of three or five.  Fortunately for those of us who must watch our pennies, happy specimens reproduce quickly.  Start with one clump and after a few years you can divide and start on a massed display.

But what about color?  I have seen spellbinding displays of only one  color or variety.  If you want something a little different, however, work with two or possibly three varieties that have a color connection.  The other day I saw a long daylily border featuring orange-flowered, yellow-flowered and bi-colored daylilies.  The bi-colored variety had alternating yellow and orange petals, bringing together the hues of the other two.  The three varieties were interplanted so there were no single color blocks.  The effect was wonderful.

You can do this yourself.  Start with the pale yellow, reblooming daylily 'Happy Returns' (below).  Add the lovely, near-black 'Black Emanuelle' (below).  Finally, intermingle with the bi-colored 'El Desperado' (above), that features pale yellow flowers with darkest purple throats.  You will end up with a wonderful display, especially as the plants become larger and bloom for longer periods of time.  'Happy Returns' even keeps the show going by blooming several times during the growing season.

Of course daylilies depend on full sun and regular moisture.  If you provide that, they will outperform expectations every time.