Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Monterrey Jack Daylily: Butter Yellow with a Raspberry Eye
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Monterrey Jack daylily opens rounded, ruffled flowers about 5 1/2 inches across in light butter yellow, with a sharply defined raspberry red eye, paler midribs and a green throat. The petals carry a fine, diamond-dust sparkle in the sun. Despite the name, it pairs better with lavender than with crackers.
Monterrey Jack at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hemerocallis 'Monterrey Jack' |
| Flowers | About 5 1/2 inches, light yellow with a raspberry red eye, green throat, sparkle finish |
| Foliage | Medium green, arching, strap-shaped |
| Size | Scapes about 24 inches; foliage about 14 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early summer |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade |
Yellow, raspberry and purple
Pale yellow is one of lavender's best partners because it sits opposite purple on the color wheel without shouting. Monterrey Jack adds a second layer: the raspberry eye links the yellow to the warm side of purple, so it looks at home next to deep violet English lavenders and pink-tinged ones alike. The candelabra-branched scapes hold the flowers well apart, so each bloom is easy to see.
At about 24 inches in flower, it sits comfortably beside mid-sized lavenders. Give the arching foliage enough room that it does not lean over the lavender's base; lavender wants its crown dry and in sun. Try layouts in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting a bare root daylily
- Soak the roots in water for an hour or so.
- Dig a wide hole and form a small mound of soil in the center.
- Spread the roots over the mound with the crown about an inch below the soil surface.
- Backfill, firm gently and water thoroughly.
- Keep the soil lightly moist until new leaves are growing strongly.
Once established, it handles heat, clay and dry spells, so it is forgiving in spots where lavender would struggle.
Care through the season
- Deadheading: each bloom lasts a day; snap off faded ones for a tidy look.
- After bloom: cut bare scapes to the base.
- Dividing: lift and split crowded clumps every few years when flowering slows.
- Deer: deer often browse daylily buds, so protect plants in open gardens during bloom.
Frequently asked questions
How much sun does it need?
At least six hours for the best bloom. Full sun next to lavender is ideal.
Does each flower really last one day?
Yes, but each branched scape carries many buds that open in turn, so the plant stays in flower for a good stretch.
What does the sparkle look like?
A fine shimmer on the petals, sometimes called diamond dust, that catches the light in full sun.
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