Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Jane Trimmer Daylily: Pale Lavender Petals with a Near-Black Eye
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Jane Trimmer daylily is an award-winning daylily with 5-inch flowers in pale lavender, each marked with a large purple eye so dark it looks almost black, a matching dark picotee edge and a green throat. The flowers sit just above an arching fountain of strap-shaped, evergreen-type leaves, opening in early July and coming back for a later round.
If you have ever wished your daylilies matched your lavender, this is the one. The color is close enough that the pairing looks deliberate, even if you planted it on a whim.
Jane Trimmer at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hemerocallis 'Jane Trimmer' |
| Flowers | About 5 inches, pale lavender with a near-black purple eye and picotee |
| Foliage | Medium green, arching, evergreen type |
| Size | Foliage about 15 inches tall; flower stems to about 25 inches; 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early July, peaking mid-July, with later repeat stems |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade |
| Deer | Susceptible |
A color match for lavender
Pale lavender petals ringed in deep purple sit right in lavender's color family, so Jane Trimmer blends instead of contrasting. Its main flush lines up with lavender in mid-July, and the repeat bloom carries that soft purple tone after the lavender has been harvested. The daylily's wide, flat flowers and grassy leaves also give a different shape and texture from lavender's spiky mounds.
Daylilies are more forgiving of richer soil than lavender is, so place them at the edge of the bed where the soil holds a little more moisture. Map the layout with the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Sun: at least six hours for the best bloom. It is very heat tolerant.
- Soil: average and well drained. Once established it handles heat, clay and dry spells.
- Deadheading: each flower lasts one day. Snap off spent blooms and remove finished stems promptly to encourage a later round.
- Winter: a light mulch the first winter and good drainage help prevent crown rot and heaving.
- Dividing: divide crowded clumps every few years to keep flowering strong.
On slopes and in masses
Daylily roots knit soil together, so a group of Jane Trimmer works on a sunny slope above a lavender planting. Massed in a row, the repeating dark eyes make a striking line. After rain, open blooms can spot, but new buds open the next morning.
Planting from bare root
Jane Trimmer is offered as a bare root plant. Soak the roots briefly before planting, set the crown about an inch below the soil, and water well until new leaves appear. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe for cats?
No. All parts of daylilies are toxic to cats, so plant them where cats will not chew the leaves and keep cut flowers out of reach.
Does it last as a cut flower?
Not well. Each bloom lasts a day, so it is best enjoyed in the garden.
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