Do Day Lilies Go Well With Lavender?

Climate

• Picking the right variety of lavender allows it to grow successfully. English lavender, such as “Hidcote Blue” (Lavandula angustifolia “Hidcote Blue”), and French lavender (Lavandula dentata candicans) grow in USDA zones 5 through 9 while the Dutch group of hybrid lavenders (Lavandula x intermedia) grows in USDA zones 5 through 8. While day lilies will grow in humid climates, lavender will not, as it is susceptible to root rot.

Culture

• Lavender and day lilies thrive with at least six hours of sun daily. Day lilies prefer weekly watering and lavender does best with a deep soaking every two weeks, but as long as the soil is well-draining soil, both plants will survive, though the day lilies may produce fewer blossoms than they would with more water. Missouri Botanical Garden lists both day lilies and lavender as perennials for dry sites.

Shapes and Colors

• Lavender's spiky flower clusters and short, gray-green foliage provide an interesting visual contrast to the large, cupped flowers and broad, green leaves of day lilies. They both work well in a mixed garden border, with a casual, cottage style. You can combine shades of purple and pink for a color theme or use a contrasting scheme, with day lilies in the warm shades of reds, pinks and yellows combined with lavender in the cool-color shades of purple and lavender.

Care

• Day lilies bloom less frequently when the clumps become crowded after three to six years, when you need to divide them. Lavender does best if you cut it back by one-third or one-half every year, and even then, it can sometimes become woody and unsightly in the center of the plant. Once your lavender gets woody, you can dig it up and replace it at the same time you divide the day lilies.