Desperation planting didn't pay off, can you help?

Some years ago I planted a bunch of School house lilies. They grow foliage in early spring. Foliage dies and wonderful showy red blooms appear in late summer.

Problem: when foliage dies in late spring/early summer, I have a desolate and bare spot for about 8 weeks. The area that is quite visible from the street. What, if anything, can I plant at this point w/o disturbing the bulbs and/or upcoming blooms.

I was in a hurry to get these planted and did not give any thought to foliage dieback or staggered planting such as daffodils w/ daylilies. I have a similar situation w/ surprise lilies.

Your suggestions will be appreciatedl

Are there some annuals that you can grow? In WI plants like verbena, salvia and snapdragons have a long bloom period when deadheaded. The last 2 would be plenty tall to hide the foliage as it dies back..esp the snaps.

How about containers of plants, or annuals would be my suggestion too.
TOO hot for coleus?

yes, verbena & salvia would work, thanks. I could buy them small so I don't disturb bulbs. GE, pots would not work b/c I think they would block blooms.

Gee, looks like I was drowning in a glass of water, lol.

Here is the schoolhouse lily when in bloom in aug/sep but right now I have a 2' x 8' bare patch.

thank you.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/54021/.

This message was edited Jul 10, 2009 11:30 AM

I saw this bed at Brookgreen Gardens a few years ago and thought it was a good option for plants like the fall blooming lilies.

A, I tried doing something similar w/ var. liriope, but it died. I think the area was a tad too dry and to sunny foir liriope, I dunno. I love that pic you posted.

OK, this is a stretch but how about something succulent like the ghost plant. I have seen that used as a groundcover around here. It might be too silvery for that spot though.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/2395/

There are green sedums that might do.

I love ghost plant and have it in pots here and there. I would be afraid of destroying them by stepping on them. I was seriously thinking about verbena but then the spot would be bare in winter. Maybe I will try liriope one more time. It may have been that I didn't treat it right first time around.

The good thing about ghost plants is that whenever a branch does fall or get knocked off, it roots wherever it lands.

In terms of the grasses, I find the mondo grass is much easier to maintain than lirope.

Another thought for a dry spot. Baby sun rose might do.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53485/