Product Description
Hemerocallis 'Don't Lose Heart' (25) Bare Root Plants
Common Name: Daylily 'Don't Lose Heart'
Hemerocallis 'Don't Lose Heart' is a captivating daylily cultivar celebrated for its striking, large flowers and reliable performance. This reblooming variety offers an extended season of interest, producing generous waves of blooms. Its remarkable adaptability makes it a resilient choice for various garden settings, thriving even in challenging conditions where other perennials might struggle. With fragrant flowers and attractive foliage, 'Don't Lose Heart' adds vibrant color and texture to the landscape.
'Don't Lose Heart' stands out with several desirable traits:
- Rebloomer: Unlike some daylilies that bloom only once, this variety reliably produces a second set of flowers later in the season, extending its display.
- Midseason Bloomer: The main flush of blooms typically occurs in midsummer, around July.
- Fragrant Flowers: The blooms possess a pleasant fragrance, adding another sensory dimension to the garden.
- Tetraploid: It is a tetraploid daylily, possessing 44 chromosomes (double the usual 22 of diploid daylilies). Tetraploids are often associated with stronger plant vigor, sturdier stems, and larger, more substantial flowers with intense coloration.
- Semi-Evergreen Foliage: The foliage may remain green in milder climates through winter but will likely die back in colder zones within its hardiness range.
- High Adaptability: Exceptionally tolerant of urban pollution, poor and dry soils, slopes, and proximity to pavement salted during winter. It is also unaffected by juglone, the compound produced by Black Walnut trees, making it suitable for planting nearby.
- Pollinator Friendly: The vibrant flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees, contributing to garden biodiversity.
- Critter Resistant: Generally resistant to Browse by rabbits. Deer resistance can vary by location and pressure.
- Flowers: Large, measuring approximately 5.5 inches (14 cm) in diameter. The petals display a captivating blend of pink and cranberry hues. A prominent feature is the large pink eyezone, which nearly covers the entire petal surface, intensifying the color impact. The petal edges are delicately marked with both cranberry and pink, surrounding a vibrant green throat at the flower's center.
- Foliage: Forms a dense clump of arching, strap-like leaves. The foliage is a standard green shade and provides texture even when the plant is not in bloom. As a semi-evergreen type, its winter presence depends on the climate severity.
- Habit: Clump-forming perennial with an upright flower scape emerging from the basal foliage.
- Size: Reaches a mature height of approximately 22 inches (56 cm) with a spread of 18 to 24 inches (46−61 cm).
- Height: 22 inches (56 cm)
- Spread: 18 - 24 inches (46−61 cm)
- Flower Size: 5.5 inches (14 cm)
- Flower Color: Pink and Cranberry blend, large Pink Eye, Cranberry/Pink Edges, Green Throat (Multicolored)
- Foliage: Semi-Evergreen, Green
- Bloom Time: Midsummer (approx. July), Rebloomer
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3 - 9
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun (more than 6 hours direct sun) to Part Shade (4-6 hours direct sun). Best flowering occurs in full sun.
- Water Needs: Low to Average. Drought tolerant once established but performs best with consistent moisture.
- Soil: Highly adaptable; tolerates poor, average, and fertile soils.
- Soil pH: Adaptable to Acidic (pH<7.0), Neutral (pH=7.0), and Alkaline (pH>7.0) conditions.
- Growth Rate: Medium
- Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
- Resilience: Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant, Juglone Tolerant, Pollution Tolerant.
Native Habitat
The genus Hemerocallis is native to Asia, primarily China, Korea, and Japan. However, 'Don't Lose Heart' is a modern cultivar, meaning it was selectively bred and hybridized by horticulturists for specific desirable traits like its unique flower color, reblooming habit, and tetraploid characteristics. As a cultivar, it does not have a specific native habitat but thrives in garden conditions across its recommended hardiness zones.
Landscaping Design Tips
'Don't Lose Heart' is a versatile perennial suitable for various landscape applications:
- Borders: Excellent for perennial borders, providing vibrant midsummer color and attractive foliage texture. Plant towards the middle of the border due to its height.
- Mass Planting: Highly effective when planted in groups or drifts. Space plants approximately 18-24 inches apart on center. Massing creates a stunning visual impact when in bloom and acts as an effective groundcover, suppressing weeds with its dense foliage. Ideal for slopes and banks where its tolerance for tougher conditions shines.
- Containers: Suitable for larger patio containers, allowing gardeners to enjoy their blooms up close. Ensure adequate drainage and regular watering in pots.
- Focal Point: A single specimen or a small group can serve as a focal point, drawing attention with its large, uniquely colored flowers.
- Difficult Sites: Use its exceptional tolerance to your advantage – plant near driveways or sidewalks prone to winter salt spray, under Black Walnut trees, or in urban environments with higher pollution levels.
- Garden Styles: Fits well into Cottage gardens, Eclectic garden designs, and mixed perennial beds.
- Companion Planting: Combine with other summer-blooming perennials like Coneflowers (Echinacea), Shasta Daisies (Leucanthemum), Salvia, Coreopsis, or ornamental grasses for contrasting textures and extended bloom seasons.
Hardiness
Hemerocallis 'Don't Lose Heart' is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 3 through 9. This indicates its ability to withstand minimum winter temperatures ranging from −40∘F (Zone 3) to 20∘F (Zone 9). Its semi-evergreen nature means foliage may persist through winter in warmer zones (8-9) but will typically die back to the ground in colder regions (3-7), re-emerging in spring. Its overall toughness contributes to its survival across this wide range of climates.
Planting and Cultivation
Daylilies are known for being easy to grow and maintain. Follow these guidelines for optimal results with 'Don't Lose Heart':
- Timing: Plant container-grown or bare-root daylilies in spring or early fall. Allow at least 4-6 weeks before the ground freezes for fall plantings to establish roots.
- Location: Choose a site with full sun (at least 6 hours daily) for best flowering. It can tolerate part shade, but blooming may be reduced.
- Soil Preparation: While tolerant of various soils, daylilies perform best in well-drained soil enriched with compost or organic matter. If planting in heavy clay or very sandy soil, amend accordingly.
- Planting: Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball. Set the plant so the crown (where the roots meet the foliage) is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the soil surface. Backfill the hole, gently firming the soil around the roots. Water thoroughly after planting.
- Spacing: Space plants 18 to 24 inches (46−61 cm) apart to allow for mature spread and good air circulation.
- Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, daylilies are relatively drought-tolerant but will flower more profusely and rebloom better with consistent moisture, especially during dry spells and bloom periods. Avoid letting the soil become waterlogged.
- Fertilizing: Daylilies are not heavy feeders. A light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges is usually sufficient. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can promote excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
- Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (shredded bark, compost) around the base of the plant to conserve soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Keep mulch away from the immediate crown to prevent rot.
- Maintenance:
- Deadheading: Remove spent flowers daily if desired to keep the plant looking tidy and potentially encourage faster rebloom. Snapping off the old flower prevents seed pod formation. Once all buds on a scape have bloomed, cut the entire scape back to the base.
- Fall/Spring Cleanup: Remove dead or yellowing foliage in late fall after it has died back, or in early spring before new growth begins. This helps prevent pests and diseases.
- Division: Divide clumps every 3-5 years, or when the center becomes less vigorous or flowering declines. Division is best done in early spring or after flowering in late summer/early fall. Lift the clump, separate it into smaller sections (each with fans of leaves and roots), and replant.
- Pests and Diseases: Generally robust, but occasionally susceptible to aphids, spider mites, and thrips. Daylily rust and leaf streak can occur, especially in humid conditions; good air circulation and sanitation (removing affected foliage) can help manage these. Its noted tolerance to juglone is a significant advantage when planting near Black Walnut trees.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
