Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Orange Smoothie Daylily: Mango Blooms That Keep Coming
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Orange Smoothie daylily opens rounded, 4-inch flowers in warm mango orange, with a light rose band at the center, pink midribs and a green throat. In direct sun the petals carry a diamond-dust sparkle. Four-way branched scapes hold around 32 buds each, so a single clump stays busy for weeks.
Each flower lasts a day. That sounds like a drawback until you see how many are lined up behind it.
Orange Smoothie at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hemerocallis 'Orange Smoothie' |
| Flowers | About 4 inches, mango orange with a light rose band and green throat |
| Fragrance | Light and sweet, noticeable up close |
| Size | Scapes to about 24 inches; foliage about 14 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early midseason (about early July), peaks mid-July, high rebloom into early fall |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade, at least six hours of sun |
| Deer | Susceptible |
Why it suits a lavender bed
Daylilies and lavender want the same basics: plenty of sun and soil that does not sit wet. Once established, Orange Smoothie handles heat, clay and dry spells, so it does not need pampering next to lavender's lean ground. The arching, fountain-like leaves soften the base of upright lavender, and the mango flowers make a warm contrast to cool purple.
The real value is the calendar. English lavender's big show is early summer. Orange Smoothie peaks just after and reblooms through late summer into early fall, so the bed keeps color after the first lavender harvest. Plant it a little apart from each lavender mound so the daylily leaves do not shade or crowd the lavender crowns. The Companion Plant Planner is handy for spacing.
Planting the bare root
- Soak the roots briefly before planting, then spread them over a small mound of soil in the hole.
- Set the crown about an inch below the surface and firm the soil.
- Water well and keep the soil lightly moist while new leaves appear.
- After the first season, water only in long dry spells.
Care through the year
- Summer: deadhead regularly and pull spent scapes. Blooms can spot after rain, and leaf streak shows up more in wet, humid years.
- Fall: it is a dormant type that dies back fully. Clean up the foliage after a hard frost.
- Winter: fully hardy in Michigan. Avoid soggy soil to prevent crown rot.
- Every few years: divide crowded clumps in spring or late summer.
Frequently asked questions
Is Orange Smoothie safe around cats?
No. All parts of daylilies are toxic to cats, so plant it where curious pets will not graze.
Will deer eat it?
Deer do like daylilies. In deer country, plant it close to the house or protect the buds.
Does it work in a container?
Yes, its size suits large pots. Use a well-drained mix and water more often than in the ground.
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