Hemerocallis 'Bela Lugosi'

Hemerocallis 'Bela Lugosi': Vampire Purple With a Lime Throat

Deep purple flowers with a lime-green throat, standing tall like they own a cape and aren't afraid to use it. This daylily brings full gothic drama to broad daylight. SPOOKY SEASON STARTS IN SUMMER.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Hemerocallis 'Bela Lugosi'
• Common Name: Daylily
• Height: 75–85 cm (30–33 in) in flower
• Spread: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)
• Flowers: Deep purple, about 15 cm (6 in) across, with a lime-green to yellow throat. Each bloom lasts a day.
• Bloom Time: Midsummer (July to August)
• Foliage: Arching, strap-like green leaves in an upright clump; semi-evergreen type

Where to Plant: It is tall enough for the middle of the border and makes a strong group planting along a fence or foundation, and it grows happily in clay. Give the dark flowers a bright backdrop so they read as rich instead of murky, and plant it where deer and rabbits don't roam freely.

Companion Plants: Campanula rotundifolia adds dainty violet bells from June to September in front of this deep purple daylily. Sedum Puff Pastry™ White Chocolate brings cream flowers from August to October at 30 to 35 cm. Echinacea 'Prairie Splendor' adds pink coneflowers from June to September at 45 to 60 cm. It is a rich, easy planting for full sun or part sun.

Plant Care: Full sun brings the most flowers. Part sun works too, with somewhat fewer of them. Plant the crown about 2.5 cm (1 in) deep in average, well-drained soil and water regularly through the first season. Once established, it tolerates dry spells, though a good soak during a long drought helps the buds open well. Snap off spent flower stalks to keep it tidy. Clear the foliage in late fall or early spring. Divide the clump every few years in spring or late summer, when the centre gets crowded.

History: 'Bela Lugosi' is a tetraploid daylily introduced in 1995 by the hybridizer C. Hanson. It is named for Bela Lugosi, the Hungarian-born actor who played Count Dracula on stage and in the 1931 film.

Final Thoughts: Plant it next to something bright yellow and let the contrast give everybody chills. COUNT ON IT.