Property owners looking for a low-maintenance yet attractive addition to their landscape should consider “the perfect perennial” ... the daylily (Hemerocallis hybrid). This is an appropriate reference, as these plants are easy to grow, make an impressive showing, and live practically forever with almost no care. Few plants are as tough, persistent, and pest-free. And these are even edible! Daylilies are herbaceous perennials that bloom from May to September in Southern California. Each bloom is only open for one day, thus the name daylily. However, daylilies are prolific bloomers and compensate with flower buds that open on successive days, providing masses of color. They are highly valued for both their aesthetic and practical qualities.

The durability and low-maintenance characteristics of daylilies make them particularly desirable for commercial landscaping projects. Their ground-holding qualities make them a great choice as a groundcover in sunny areas where the soil is washing away or on a slope that is too hard to mow. They’re particularly beautiful as a mass display in flower beds, but make a nice perimeter plant or monument planting.

Daylilies may either stand alone, or can be combined with evergreens, flowering shrubs and annuals to create a colorful display. It’s best to choose companion plants that have a long period of bloom as well as large masses of foliage that are attractive even when there are no blossoms. Low-growing evergreens such as boxwood, liriope, star jasmine and juniper combine well with daylilies because they provide greenery during the months of the year when the daylilies are semi-dormant or out o‘ bloom. Dwarf flowering shrubs such as Pittosporum ‘Wheeler’s Dwarf,’ Raphiolepsis ‘Pinkie,’ Nandina compacta and Pittosporum crassifolium ‘Nana’ also make good companion plants.

Daylilies come in a variety of shapes and sizes and a rainbow of colors, featuring everything from near-white to pastels, bright pinks and dark rusts. Some varieties even offer multi-colored flowers. Heights range from 11 inches to three feet or more, with blooms from less than three inches in diameter to more than eight inches. Some blooms have long narrow petals and sepals which often curl and twist, others boast wide ruffled petals, and others feature double flowers, for extra color and impact. The petals themselves might also feature many colors, with contrasting petal and eyezone colors, watermarks, varying petal edges, and much more.

Miramar Wholesale Nurseries offers the largest selection of daylilies in San Diego County, featuring more than 20 eye-catching varieties in everything from deep rose to bold red to creamy yellow. Developed over the past five years, Miramar’s collection includes the elegant Russian Rhapsody, featuring triangular-shaped plum-purple blossoms, or the festive lavender of Raspberry Pixie. For impact, you might choose Lightning Bolt. Those looking for a sure bet might select Stella D’Oro, winner of myriad awards and one of the best available. Regardless of which variety you choose, you’re sure to be pleased with the performance of this perfect perennial. It truly has earned its name.

Mike Kachelein has become the newest member of the nursery’s staff. Mike will be responsible for the development of key accounts outside of the San Diego region. Mike’s sales team is supplemented by Soren Hansen, representing northern California, and Pete Bats, representing New Mexico and into Arizona. Together Mike, Soren, and Pete bring over 80 years experience in key account sales and will facilitate all plant material and contract orders to the regions.

Ron Forkner, a valued member of the Vista Hill Nursery team, joined MWN as the newest member of the will-call sales department. MWN was fortunate to have Ron join the company as part of the Vista Hill Nursery acquisition. MWN is also proud to add former Vista Hill employees Jaime Solano, Alfonso Bernardino, Braulio Salazar, and Fidencio Acevedo-Valle to the production team.

Christine MacGregor has joined MWN as sales representative. Christine will cover selected accounts from San Diego into Temecula, Orange County and the Los Angeles area. Christine recently initiated the company’s growing contract relating to the new Disneyland construction and expansion.

Miramar’s Adrienne Jensen was the recipient of a scholarship award at the recent Awards Dinner held by the Cuyamaca College Botanical Society. The foundation was formed to fund the scholarship and supporting activities of the Horticulture Department at Cuyamaca College. Congratulations to Adrienne!

Two Miramar associates are expecting their first children! Congratulations to Sherry Hatter and her husband, Adam. Sherry recently announced that she is expecting their first child in November. Sherry is Miramar’s office manager. And soon-to-be proud father, Ken Danzer, and his wife Lori are expecting their first in May. Ken is one of Miramar’s original staff and is a valued member of the will-call sales department.

Miramar Wholesale Nurseries again hosted Cuyamaca College’s ESL (English as a Second Language) classes. February's classes covered Weed Control, March reviewed Irrigation Basics, and April was devoted to Horticulture Problem Solving. Classes resume in September and will cover Turf Management Basics. Landscape Pruning will be offered in October. Adjunct faculty member, Don Schultz, reports strong industry support for the classes. Miramar’s Tom Ewing, another adjunct instructor at Cuyamaca, completes the Annuals & Perennials course in May and reports all time highs in Horticultural Department student attendance... a good sign for our industry.