Product Description
Hemerocallis 'Through A Glass Darkly' (25) BR Plants
Common Name: Daylily
5½" purple flowers have ruffled edges and a green throat. A large lavender watermark takes up more than half the bloom when fully open. Excellent bud count and rebloom.
Daylilies can survive many harsh conditions that other plants cannot including: polluted city environments, slopes, poor and dry soils, near pavement that is salted in winter, and under Black Walnut trees (not affected by juglone).
Midseason Bloomer.
Fragrant flowers.
Semi-Evergreen foliage.
Tetraploid.
Daylilies are some of the easiest perennials to grow and are a good choice for any gardener, from the beginner to the professional. These are tough, adaptable plants that will grow in any soil, from normal to slightly wet to dry. Older varieties are able to bloom if planted in partial shade, but most of the newer introductions need full sun for best performance. Likewise, older varieties tend to spread more rapidly than the newer hybrids.
Plants should be deadheaded for cosmetic purposes, but in most cases this will not extend the bloom time.
Height: 32.0 Inches
Spread: 18.0-24.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Purple shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun to Part Shade
Low to Average Water Needs
Poor to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Midsummer
Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds
Bee Friendly
Rabbit Resistant
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Easy To Grow, Fragrant Flowers, Mass Planting, Salt Tolerant
Hemerocallis 'Through a Glass Darkly' is a captivating daylily that brings a touch of mystery and elegance to the garden. Its unique coloration and form make it a sought-after variety among daylily enthusiasts. Here's a detailed look at its characteristics:
Appearance:
- Color: The flowers are a rich, deep purple, often described as "grape" or "wine-purple," creating a sense of depth and richness. What makes 'Through a Glass Darkly' truly special is its striking lavender watermark that extends across most of the petal, giving the flower a smoky, almost ethereal appearance. This unique feature, combined with the ruffled edges and a yellow-green throat, creates a captivating visual display.
- Flower Form: The flowers are medium-sized, around 5.5 inches wide, with a classic daylily shape. The petals are wide and slightly recurved, with beautifully ruffled edges that add texture and interest to the blooms. The overall form is full and pleasing to the eye.
- Size: As mentioned, the flowers are about 5.5 inches (14 cm) wide, making them a noticeable presence in the garden.
- Height: 'Through a Glass Darkly' typically grows to a height of 32 inches (80 cm). This makes it a good choice for the middle or back of the border, where its unique color can be showcased effectively.
Growing Information:
- Bloom Time: This daylily is a midseason bloomer and a reliable rebloomer, meaning you'll get multiple waves of flowers throughout the season. This extended bloom time is a major plus, as it allows you to enjoy the beautiful blooms for a longer period.
- Sunlight: Like most daylilies, 'Through a Glass Darkly' thrives in full sun (at least 6 hours per day), but it can also tolerate some light shade. Full sun will encourage the most profuse blooming, but in very hot climates, some afternoon shade may be beneficial.
- Soil: It's adaptable to various soil types, but it prefers well-drained soil with average moisture. Daylilies are generally low-maintenance, but they will perform best in soil that's rich in organic matter and drains well.
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry spells, but avoid overwatering. Daylilies are relatively drought-tolerant once established, but they'll appreciate consistent moisture, especially during hot, dry weather.
- Hardiness: 'Through a Glass Darkly' is hardy in USDA zones 3-9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates.
Other Notable Features:
- Fragrance: Many gardeners report that 'Through a Glass Darkly' has a noticeable fragrance, adding another layer of sensory enjoyment to the garden.
- High Bud Count: This daylily is known for its high bud count, meaning each scape (flower stalk) produces numerous flowers. This ensures a spectacular display of color when it's in bloom.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers of 'Through a Glass Darkly' are attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it a valuable addition to a pollinator-friendly garden.
Uses in the Garden:
- Middle or Back of the Border: Its height and unique color make it an excellent choice for the middle or back of the border, where it can add a touch of drama and intrigue.
- Specimen Plant: It can also be planted as a specimen plant, where its unique beauty can be fully appreciated.
- Mass Plantings: 'Through a Glass Darkly' creates a stunning display when planted in groups, where the mass of purple blooms can create a dramatic impact.
Additional Tips:
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming and maintain a tidy appearance. This will also prevent the plant from self-seeding, which can lead to unwanted seedlings.
- Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding. This will also help to ensure that the plant continues to produce abundant blooms.
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!
