Grow for Impact

Try these plants for intrigue that extends beyond a flower’s petals.

- CHRISTINE PETERSON

1 Golden Zebra daylily

HEMEROCALLIS ‘MALJA’, ZONES 4 TO 9

With more than 90,000 daylily cultivars, there’s one for you! This beauty has dark yellow flowers that peak in early summer and slender leaves variegated with creamy white edges. As its name implies, each bloom comes and goes in one day.

Why we love it: This daylily grows well in most soils in full sun or part shade. It is striking when in bloom, and when it’s not, the leaves add plenty of appeal on their own.

2 White Nancy spotted deadnettle

LAMIUM MACULATUM, ZONES 3 TO 8

Imagine if a quick frost partially covered leaves in your garden, only they didn’t die. That’s how the leaves on White Nancy spotted deadnettle look—as though they were kissed by frost in early summer. The dainty white blooms of this ground cover are a bonus.

Why we love it: Deadnettle spreads easily, making it a perfect low-maintenance ground cover in part or full shade areas of the garden. Be aware: It can be invasive.

3 Bengal Tiger canna lily

CANNA AMERICANALLIS VAR. VARIEGATA, ZONES 8 TO 11

Bengal Tiger’s leaves are mesmerizing as light yellow and dark green weave back and forth. Showstopping orange flowers top the plant’s tall stalks, which reach as high as 6 feet. The leaves themselves are remarkable on their own. Gardeners in the North will want to dig up canna bulbs and store them indoors for winter.

Why we love it: It thrives in a wide range of soils or as an aquatic plant, living in 6 inches of water.