Some beds here have walking paths so that people can walk through them. On those, the tallest plants are put in the middle of the beds with the shorter ones on either side of those. The daylilies are planted three deep. I prefer mixed colors and like using perennials ( especially those with different form, texture, color, etc) to give off season color.
Here are a couple pictures of the mixed beds with companion perennials. It appears that ALL of my verbena bonariensis was killed over this past winter so I'll have to try and replace that.
Small and mini bed:
I like the look of mixed colors, however I know people who have a "white" bed or a "red and yellow" bed and use those effectively.
Daylily bed w/ companion perennials:
More companion perennials used w/ daylilies. Russian sage is tall, tolerates dry conditions and is a good low maintenance background plant.
Orienpet and oriental lilies are extremely fragrant. Also like agastaches, Liatris, and Echinaceas.
I LOVED my tall black and blue salvia in another area but fear it may not have made it through this past winter. No signs of life whatsoever, but it did come in late last year.
