Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Kansas Kitten Daylily: A Compact Lavender-Purple Front Edger
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Kansas Kitten daylily is a compact rebloomer with 5-inch, lightly ruffled flowers in lavender purple, marked by a darker purple eye band and a green-yellow throat. Lots of buds line its well-branched stems, which rise to about 22 inches over a low fountain of arching leaves. The flowers open early in the morning and carry a light, sweet fragrance you can catch up close.
Its size is the selling point. Many daylilies want the middle of the border; this one is happy right up front.
Kansas Kitten at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hemerocallis 'Kansas Kitten' |
| Flowers | About 5 inches, lavender purple with a dark purple eye |
| Fragrance | Light and sweet, noticeable up close |
| Size | Foliage about 13 inches; flower stems to about 22 inches; 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early July, peaking mid-July, with repeat stems |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade |
| Foliage type | Dormant; dies back completely in fall |
Blending in with lavender
Kansas Kitten's lavender-purple petals are close kin to lavender itself, so it blends seamlessly rather than contrasting. That makes it a good choice for a calm, all-purple edge in front of a lavender planting. Its main flush lines up with lavender in July, and the rebloom keeps a little purple going after harvest. The wide, flat flowers and strap-shaped leaves add a second shape to the bed, so it never looks like a single plant repeated.
Daylilies tolerate a bit more moisture and richer soil than lavender, so the front edge, where the hose tends to reach, suits them. Sketch the row in 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. Established plants handle heat, clay and dry spells.
- Deadheading: each bloom lasts a day. Remove spent stems after the main flush to encourage the later round.
- Fall: as a dormant type, it dies back completely. Clean up the foliage after a hard frost.
- Winter: fully hardy in Michigan. Avoid soggy winter soil to prevent crown rot.
- Dividing: divide crowded clumps every few years.
A morning flower
Because the flowers open early, Kansas Kitten looks its best with your morning coffee. Plant a few where you walk by in the morning, such as along a path or near a door, to enjoy both the color and the light fragrance. After rain, open flowers may spot, but fresh buds open the next day.
Planting from bare root
Kansas Kitten is offered as a bare root plant. Plant the crown about an inch below the soil, spread the roots, and water well until new growth appears. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe around cats?
No. Despite the name, all parts of daylilies are toxic to cats. Plant it where cats will not chew it.
Do deer eat daylilies?
Yes, deer find daylilies tasty. Fencing or a spot near the house helps.
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