Tetraploid daylily (Hemerocallis 'Rose')
Hemerocallis 'Rose' is a low-maintenance Tetraploid daylily offering showy, rose pink blooms in early summer, thriving in Zones 3-9.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Hemerocallis ‘Rose’, a stunning Tetraploid daylily, is celebrated by gardeners for its vibrant, rose-pink coloration and reliable performance across a wide range of climates. Valued as an herbaceous perennial, this cultivar produces showy flowers that provide consistent color through the early summer months. Its robust nature makes it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking high impact with minimal fuss.
Hemerocallis ‘Rose’ matures to a manageable height of 1.5 to 2 feet, forming neat clumps of arching, linear foliage. While individual blooms only last a single day, the plant produces flowers in such succession that the overall blooming period is long and satisfying. This adaptability, combined with its low maintenance requirements, solidifies the Tetraploid daylily’s place in countless garden designs.
As a highly hybridized variety, this specific cultivar represents the modern triumphs in daylily breeding, offering superior color saturation and vigor. Gardeners benefit from its resilience, as Hemerocallis ‘Rose’ handles summer heat and humidity well, provided it receives adequate moisture during dry spells.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asphodelaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.5-2 ft
- Spread: 1.5-2 ft
- Bloom Time: June to July
- Bloom Description: Rose pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Hemerocallis ‘Rose’ is best achieved in the spring or early fall, though spring is preferred in very cold winter regions. These plants thrive best when set into average, medium moisture, well-drained soils, though they tolerate many soil types and perform optimally in deep, fertile loams. Ensure the crown of the plant is level with the soil surface to prevent rot or drying out.
Maintenance for this Tetraploid daylily is refreshingly low. Deadheading spent flowers daily is recommended for neatness, and old scapes (flower stalks) should be removed once flowering has finished. Although tolerant of heat, maintain an attractive appearance by providing deep watering during extended dry spells.
For optimal performance and revitalized blooming, plan to divide clumps of Hemerocallis ‘Rose’ every three to four years, ideally in the fall or early spring. Remember that hybrid daylilies, like this one, will not reproduce true to type if grown from seed. As a winter-dormant type, it requires a cold period, making it less suitable for areas perpetually warm, such as the highest end of Zone 9.
Landscape Uses
The attractive habit and reliable color display make the Hemerocallis ‘Rose’ an extremely versatile herbaceous perennial for the landscape. They are fundamentally easy-to-grow plants, excelling when used for defining borders or as a clean edging along pathways. Their dense, clumping nature also makes them superb for mass plantings over large areas, creating sweeping drifts of rose-pink color throughout the summer.
Consider massing this cultivar to provide excellent coverage while minimizing weed competition. In mixed perennial borders, the linear foliage provides a wonderful vertical contrast to mounding or broadleaf plants. While this specific cultivar may not be dwarf, daylilies, in general, often feature dwarf selections that are excellent for rock gardens or tucked into smaller spaces where the 6-inch blooms can be appreciated up close.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
The genus Hemerocallis, commonly known as daylilies, consists primarily of fibrous-rooted herbaceous perennials native to Asia and Europe. Modern garden specimens are almost entirely sophisticated hybrids, with tens of thousands of registered cultivars developed for unique colors and forms. Hemerocallis ‘Rose’ specifically features 6-inch diameter rose-pink flowers appearing on scapes that rise about 26 inches above the arching, blade-like leaves.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Erosion
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
Daylilies are remarkably adaptable and generally pest-free, contributing to their low maintenance profile. Occasionally, you may encounter minor issues such as mites, aphids, or thrips, usually manageable with simple horticultural oils or insecticidal soap if populations spike. A more localized concern in certain climates can be Daylily Rust, a fungal disease that appears as yellow pustules on the foliage.
Prevention is key for managing common issues. Ensure good air circulation by adhering to proper spacing guidelines and dividing crowded clumps every few years, which also encourages vigorous new growth. Rabbits, surprisingly, tend to avoid consuming the foliage of daylilies, providing a natural protection against these common garden nibblers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Hemerocallis ‘Rose’ suitable for?
Hemerocallis ‘Rose’ is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9, offering excellent cold tolerance down to Zone 3.
How large does Hemerocallis ‘Rose’ grow?
This cultivar typically reaches a height between 1.5 and 2 feet, spreading 1.5 to 2 feet wide when mature.
When does Tetraploid daylily bloom?
This Tetraploid daylily blooms during the early summer months, generally from June to July, displaying its signature rose pink coloration.
What sun exposure does Hemerocallis ‘Rose’ need?
For the best bloom production, Hemerocallis ‘Rose’ requires full sun, though it can tolerate partial shade, which may slightly reduce bloom frequency.
Conclusion
Hemerocallis ‘Rose’ is an outstanding choice for gardeners seeking dependable beauty and resilience in the herbaceous perennial border. Its striking rose-pink, showy flowers, combined with its low maintenance and excellent tolerance profile, make this Tetraploid daylily a staple. Before planting, confirm that your chosen location provides at least partial sun exposure and medium moisture availability suitable for this vigorous cultivar.
Companion Planting
Choosing appropriate companions helps maximize the appeal of Hemerocallis ‘Rose’ throughout the season. Since daylilies have a period where their foliage might thin out after blooming, pairing them with later-emerging or summer-blooming perennials provides continuous visual interest. Good companions include Shasta Daisies, which offer white contrast, or Coneflowers (Echinacea), which share similar sun and water requirements.
Also consider plants that offer differing foliage textures. Shorter ornamental grasses or low-growing Salvias complement the upright, grassy foliage of the daylily nicely, ensuring the lower parts of the border remain attractive even when the Hemerocallis ‘Rose’ is not in flower. Since daylilies prefer well-drained soil, avoid moisture-loving bog plants nearby unless you can manage localized watering needs.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring preparation is vital for a strong summer display for your Hemerocallis ‘Rose’. As new growth emerges, remove any old, dead foliage from the previous season to prevent hiding pests and improve airflow. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer sparingly around the base of the plant just as new shoots begin to emerge.
Mid-summer care centers on deadheading; consistently removing spent flowers maximizes the plant’s energy for producing new buds rather than setting seed. During periods of drought, provide deep watering directly to the root zone rather than frequent, shallow sprinkles. This deep watering technique encourages healthy root development and keeps the foliage attractive through the heat.
In the fall, particularly in colder climates, allow the foliage to die back naturally as this provides insulation. For evergreen or semi-evergreen types, you may cut back foliage that is yellowing or damaged, though winter-dormant types benefit from residual foliage protection until spring cleanup.
