Zebrina grows in the garden of Bernadine O’Konek, also in Topeka. Their gardens will be featured in this week’s episode of “Home and Away.”

Jess Danner’s gazebo in Topeka is surrounded by hostas and daylillies.

Jess Danner has a theory.”If grass won’t grow, try something else.” Danner, a Master Gardener, has planted plenty of variety to eat up the would-be lawn space at his Topeka home. More than 200 day lilies adorn the backyard, a reflection of Danner’s preference for the perennial.

A pergola-topped seating area and a garden gazebo with hanging baskets corner the back of Danner’s property and four water features, including a lush lily pond, are also on display.

Across town, Master Gardener Bernadine O’Konek has an outdoor oasis of her own. With a spectacular view of Lake Shawnee, O’Konek’s is a cottage garden.

Ornamental comfrey serves as ground cover near the front walkway, beautiful blue during summer, evergreen in winter and complimented by hybrid columbine in purples and pinks, a seed catalog purchase that O’Konek is particularly proud of.

Her front bed boasts red salvia, blue flax, blue-purple bachelor buttons and yellow yarrow for a splash of color. Calihroe, a member of the poppy family tumbles past an overhang.

“Home and Away” premieres at 6:30 p.m. today on Sunflower Broadband Channel 6. and replays at 9:30 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m., 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tuesday; 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m. and 730 p.m. Thursday 10:30 a.m. Friday; 10 a.m. Saturday; and 9 p.m. Sunday.