Tetraploid daylily (Hemerocallis 'Respighi')
Hemerocallis 'Respighi' is a robust Tetraploid daylily admired for its wine-purple blooms. Easy to grow and low maintenance.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Hemerocallis ‘Respighi’ is a highly desirable, vigorous herbaceous perennial, commonly known as a Tetraploid daylily. It brings substantial color to the late spring and early summer garden, showcasing distinctive wine-purple flowers accented by chalky white eye zones and bright yellow-green throats. This cultivar is exceptionally valuable due to its relative ease of care and adaptability across a wide range of climates.
As a robust member of the Asphodelaceae family, this daylily thrives in average to well-drained soils, performing best when sited in an area receiving full sun to light afternoon shade. Gardeners appreciate the longevity and dependable performance of Hemerocallis ‘Respighi’, which offers deep pigmentation unlike many paler cultivars. Its architecture provides a fountain-like mound of green foliage, offering structure even when not in bloom.
For optimal health and season-long appeal, basic cultural practices like deadheading spent blooms ensure the plant maintains a neat appearance and encourages further flower production. The enduring popularity of hybrid daylilies ensures that Hemerocallis ‘Respighi’ remains a reliable, colorful staple in perennial borders throughout USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asphodelaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-2.5 ft
- Spread: 2-2.5 ft
- Bloom Time: June to July
- Bloom Description: Wine purple with white eye zones and yellow-green throat
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Hemerocallis ‘Respighi’ is best achieved in spring or fall outside of frozen periods. Prepare the site by ensuring the soil is well-drained. While these adaptable plants handle various soil types, they prefer deep, fertile loams for the most impressive displays. Ensure the crown of the plant is set level with the soil surface; planting the crown too deep is a common cause of poor blooming.
Daylilies require medium, consistent moisture, particularly during dry, hot spells to keep the foliage looking attractive. Deadhead spent flowers daily, as individual blooms last only one day, which maintains garden neatness. Once the blooming period finishes, remove the entire flower scape to direct energy back into root and foliage development.
This Tetraploid daylily benefits significantly from division every three to four years. This practice prevents overcrowding, improves air circulation, and revitalizes blooming performance; spring division is generally preferred in colder northern regions. Since this is a winter-dormant type, it requires a cold period for its best renewal display.
Landscape Uses
Hemerocallis ‘Respighi’ excels as an easy-to-grow, reliable component in mixed perennial borders, where its deep coloring provides excellent contrast against yellow or pink flowering neighbors. Its clumping habit makes it perfect for defining edges or massing over large areas to create powerful blocks of mid-season purple color.
Due to its moderate height (2 to 2.5 feet), it suits applications where you need reliable mid-ground structure without obscuring shorter border plants. While its foliage is grass-like, the sheer volume of the clump provides good coverage, making it suitable for stabilizing banks or preventing erosion, a documented tolerance of this cultivar.
Consider using this stunning cultivar near walkways where the flower detail—the wine-purple petals contrasting the white eye zone—can be fully appreciated. While many daylilies are highly adaptable, focus on placing Hemerocallis ‘Respighi’ where consistent, deep watering can be provided during severe heat waves.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Hemerocallis is a genus of about 15 species of herbaceous perennials commonly known as daylilies, with commercial varieties being almost entirely hybrids developed for diverse colors and patterns. Each flower on the Hemerocallis ‘Respighi’ cultivar lasts only one day, but blooming occurs in succession, providing a long flowering period from June into July. The plant features basal, linear, grass-like foliage that remains evergreen in warmer climates but provides excellent structure year-round.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Erosion
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
Daylilies are generally quite tough, requiring low maintenance and suffering few serious pest or disease issues. Occasionally, mites, aphids, or thrips may settle on the tender flower buds or foliage, manageable usually with insecticidal soap or proper pruning. The primary concern in some humid regions is Daylily Rust, a fungal infection appearing as yellow pustules that release orange spores; ensure good air circulation by dividing crowded plants regularly. Rabbits, thankfully, tend to avoid chewing on the foliage of Hemerocallis, offering a natural form of protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Tetraploid daylily suitable for?
Hemerocallis ‘Respighi’ is adaptable and reliably hardy across USDA Zones 3 through 9.
When does Tetraploid daylily bloom?
This cultivar typically blooms in midseason, specifically spanning from June to July, offering wine purple flowers with white eye zones.
How large does Hemerocallis ‘Respighi’ grow?
This variety generally matures to a height between 2 and 2.5 feet tall, with a spread of 2 to 2.5 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Tetraploid daylily need?
For the best flower production and healthiest foliage, Hemerocallis ‘Respighi’ should receive full sun to partial shade.
Conclusion
Hemerocallis ‘Respighi’ provides outstanding value through its dependable performance, low maintenance needs, and richly colored flowers. This particular Tetraploid daylily cultivar successfully combines hardiness with visual impact in the summer garden. Check your local climate to ensure it falls within USDA Zones 3-9, and plan to plant or divide this perennial during the spring for best results next season.
Companion Planting
Selecting companion plants for Hemerocallis ‘Respighi’ should focus on varieties that enjoy similar sun and moisture conditions. Since daylilies prefer deep, well-drained soil and medium water, pairing them with bearded irises (which dislike excessive moisture) or salvias that prefer full sun works well. Planting silvery foliage like Lamb’s Ears nearby can provide a textural counterpoint that helps the deep purple color of this daylily truly stand out.
Design Ideas for Deep Color Accents
The deep wine-purple hue of this daylily makes it excellent for creating sophisticated garden moments, especially when used as an informal hedge or mass planting. For a formal look, plant Hemerocallis ‘Respighi’ in repeating groups along a path, allowing the fountain-like foliage to soften hard edges. Consider pairing it with creamy white or pale lavender blooms to highlight the white eye zone featured on the flower face, creating visual movement as the sun hits the different tones.
