Hemerocallis 'Pardon Me'

Hemerocallis 'Pardon Me': A Compact Burst of Ruby Red Elegance
Rich, ruby-red blooms and a sweet, subtle fragrance make Hemerocallis 'Pardon Me' a standout in small spaces and sunny borders. This charming, compact cultivar offers velvety flowers that glow with a golden-green throat, blooming freely from early summer into fall. A reliable rebloomer with a tidy habit and deep colour saturation, Pardon Me brings classic daylily performance in a more refined, richly coloured package.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 40–50 cm
• Spread: 40–50 cm, forming a compact, mounded clump
• Flower Colour: Deep ruby red with a bright chartreuse throat; lightly ruffled petals
• Flowering Period: Early summer to fall; dependable rebloomer
• Foliage: Arching, green, grass-like leaves; deciduous
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; adaptable to a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils

Uses and Benefits: Pardon Me is ideal for edging paths, filling containers, or nestling into the front of sunny borders where its saturated blooms provide long-lasting colour. Its compact size makes it perfect for urban gardens and tight planting schemes, while its fragrance and pollinator appeal make it a welcome addition to butterfly and bee-friendly designs. As with all daylilies, it is drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and easy to grow.

Companion Plants: Pair with Coreopsis 'Red Hot Vanilla', whose creamy blooms with red eyes complement Pardon Me’s rich hues while softening the palette. Add Ajuga 'Black Scallop' for a dark, glossy foliage contrast that echoes the daylily’s depth and forms a lush carpet beneath. Finish with Sedum 'Fulda Glow', whose bronze-red tones and tidy habit harmonize beautifully with the daylily’s vibrant flowers.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun for optimal bloom and colour intensity; part shade is tolerated, especially in hot summer regions. Water during dry spells in the first season to establish roots. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage rebloom and maintain a tidy appearance. Cut back foliage in late fall or early spring. Divide every 3–4 years to sustain vigour and blooming power.

History: Introduced in 1982 by renowned hybridizer Darrel Apps, Hemerocallis 'Pardon Me' was one of the earliest fragrant, red, reblooming daylilies in compact form. Its combination of rich colour, sweet scent, and high performance helped popularize smaller-scale daylilies for modern landscapes.

Final Thoughts: With its deep red blooms, soft fragrance, and compact size, Hemerocallis 'Pardon Me' delivers elegance and ease in equal measure. It’s a reliable rebloomer that adds colour and refinement to small gardens, borders, and containers—proof that even the smallest plants can make the biggest impressions.