In the land of UT Vols, the use of orange comes up a lot. I married into Vol-dom, and made the mistake of commenting that orange was hard to use in decorating and gardening because it didn't go with a lot. I was firmly corrected, and told that orange goes with EVERYTHING!

There is a lot of maroon foliage in my garden, and I even have some cannas (Canna 'Intrigue') that have maroon foliage and orange flowers. Can't decide if I like the combination. How do you use orange in your gardens?

I'm just starting to... I am allergic to the "hot" combo of red, orange and yellow, but love the mix of orange with purples, blues and maybe whites. Not that I speak from experience - I'm still fairly new to gardening in Tennessee, having spent my first 3 years here trying to get my farm going (I have horses). The only orange flower I have (other than some Gaillardias out near the road) are some Trollius ledebourii (don't know their common name) but they were in too much shade to bloom. Hopefully this spring I'll get to see them.

I think Maroon and Orange would set each other off nicely. Let us know what you decide!

this year I'm growing orange MGs. I had coreopsis growing with lavender and red tasselflowers. With me trying to find a home for everything i WS'd, I was just trying to find a home...I didnt try to match.

and last year I had a volunteer (haha get it, ) zinnia show up with my salvia

LOL - got it!

Are you talking about those tiny MGs, about 1/2" in diameter?

I might regret it. I just got 2 or 3 packs in a MG swap. I think one is called Noah....dont remember the other(s).

bad idea? my dad keeps warning me not to.

I don't know - I had volunteer 'Heavenly blue' come up 2 years ago and never got a single plant any where else. I know they're supposed to be trouble, maybe I just got lucky?

These are the only orange ones I've ever seen, with my little finger for size. They grow wild around my yard.

oh those are sweet.

There are beautiful orange daylilies that would look wonderful next to Russian Sage. Below is Pumpkin Moonshine

MollyD

oh yes...i 'liberated' a stem or two of russian sage. I'm hoping to get enough seed to start some.

I only have a handful of daylillies. besides the wild orange ones.

I don't keep any of the wild ones. Besides having little going for them they're also garden thugs.

MollyD

i have a row growing along an old ugly shed that was already here. (thats changing this year. the flowers. the shed has to stay

good luck getting rid of them! I once had a house where there was one in the front. For 20 years I battled with it. I cut it, poured straight Round Up on it, dug it's roots up and just when I thought it be gone the darn thing would pop back up. I suspect it's still there plagueing the new owner.

MollyD

I think Orange looks good with Purple. I use Butterfly Weed and Nepeta "Walker's Low" together some.

Hi, Clint!

Just the guy for this question....there's an echinacea I had and lost called 'Tiki Torch'. I really like(d) the particular color orange it offered before it passed on to plant heaven. Any thoughts on making it happy in our TN clay soil? Most of my other echies do fairly well, but TT seemed cranky, right from the start.

I recommend starting with the largest plant possible. Buy one that is already a large plant. If you can find a gallon pot that would be great.

I dug my new planting spot and removed some of the soil from the hole. Then I mixed in some composted cow manure and potting soil for cactus plants. Mix some of the soil in the garden in with this though. It should be loose soil when you are done. Make sure the crown is above the soil line slightly. You don't want it too deep.

Try to plant it in a location that gets less sun in the evening and full sun in the mornings.

Hey Clint - good to see you!

So do echinacea wintersow well? i was hoping so.

Yes. They are perfect for wintersowing. In fact you'll get more up that way.

I want to grow the echinacea tennessee (whatever goes on the end) but I never seem to find them. Only purpureas. or the fancy named ones (envy, sunrise, etc.) Does anyone have seeds for the TN native ones that I could bum a few of? I figure they should grow well here. And now I'll have to go find some of my old echie seeds and try w/sowing those. Yay! More dirt in the living room...woohoo.

I would be glad to send you some of those Tennessee coneflower seeds. Send me a message with the info and I'll send them tomorrow.

Clint