Product Description
Hemerocallis 'Romantic Returns' PP13481 (25) Bare Root Plants
Common Name: Daylily
Another standout reblooming daylily from renowned hybridizer Dr. Darrel Apps! Deep rose pink flowers have ruffled petals with notably large flowers for a continuous bloomer at 5" wide. Compared to 'Passionate Returns', this is a deeper pink with larger flowers.
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).
- Early Midseason Bloomer, blooming in early July.
- Rebloomer, producing a second set of flowers.
- Extended Bloom with flowers staying open at least 16 hours.
- Fragrant flowers.
- Semi-Evergreen foliage.
- Diploid with 22 chromosomes.
Height: 25 Inches
Spread: 18.0-24.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Pink shades, Red shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) - Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Low to Average Water Needs
Poor to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early Summer- Midsummer, Rebloomer, Long Blooming
Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds
Bee Friendly
Rabbit Resistant
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Easy To Grow, Mass Planting, Salt Tolerant
This captivating daylily cultivar, Hemerocallis 'Romantic Returns', is a standout choice for any garden. Renowned for its vibrant deep rose-pink flowers with ruffled petals, 'Romantic Returns' offers a delightful fragrance and an extended bloom time that will keep your garden colorful for months. As a reblooming variety, it graces the landscape with a second flush of flowers later in the season, ensuring a long-lasting display of beauty. Gardeners of all skill levels will appreciate its adaptability and low-maintenance nature, making it a perfect choice for both novice and seasoned enthusiasts.
Characteristics Hemerocallis 'Romantic Returns' typically reaches a height of 25 inches with a spread of 18-24 inches. Its deep rose-pink flowers, each measuring about 5 inches wide, boast charmingly ruffled petals and a lighter watermark that adds a touch of elegance. The flowers emerge from well-branched, three-way scapes, with each scape bearing nearly 25 buds, promising a spectacular floral show. A light green throat provides a subtle contrast to the vibrant petals, enhancing the overall visual appeal.
This cultivar is part of the Happily Ever Appster™ series, developed by renowned daylily breeder Dr. Darrel Apps. It is classified as a diploid daylily, possessing two sets of chromosomes. 'Romantic Returns' exhibits a semi-evergreen foliage habit, retaining some of its leaves throughout the winter in milder climates. Interestingly, it is a hybrid resulting from a cross between 'sdlg' (seedling) and 'Chicago Apache'. One of the most appealing features of 'Romantic Returns' is that its flowers remain open for at least 16 hours each day, allowing ample time to enjoy their beauty.
Bloom Time Hemerocallis 'Romantic Returns' is an early midseason bloomer, typically gracing gardens with their first flush of flowers in early July. However, in USDA hardiness zones 3 and 4, it blooms earlier, with flowers appearing in early to mid-May. As a reblooming variety, 'Romantic Returns' offers an extended bloom time, with a second wave of flowers appearing later in the season, often extending from early summer through mid-fall. While each individual flower lasts for about a day, the plant produces an abundance of buds, ensuring a continuous display of blooms over an extended period.
Growing Conditions Hemerocallis 'Romantic Returns' is a resilient and adaptable plant that thrives in a variety of growing conditions. It prefers a location with full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. While daylilies are known for their drought tolerance once established, 'Romantic Returns' performs best with consistent moisture to maintain lush foliage and promote optimal flowering. This cultivar is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3-9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates. It is also worth noting that 'Romantic Returns' is rabbit resistant, adding to its appeal for gardeners concerned about potential animal browsing.
Planting and Care Planting Hemerocallis 'Romantic Returns' is a straightforward process. Begin by digging a hole that is both deep and wide enough to comfortably accommodate the roots. Gently spread out the roots in the hole and position the plant so that the crown, where the leaves meet the roots, sits about 1 inch below the soil surface. Backfill the hole with soil, ensuring to work it around the roots, and then gently firm the soil around the crown to secure the plant. Water the newly planted daylily thoroughly to settle the soil and encourage establishment.
Daylilies are known for their low-maintenance nature, and 'Romantic Returns' is no exception. While they are not heavy feeders, a light application of a balanced fertilizer in the spring can promote healthy growth and abundant blooms. Deadheading spent blooms is recommended to encourage reblooming and maintain a tidy appearance. To maintain the plant's vigor and prevent overcrowding, divide the clumps every 3-5 years.
Pests and Diseases Daylilies are generally resilient and resistant to most pests and diseases. However, like many plants, they can occasionally be affected by certain pests or diseases. Thrips, tiny insects that feed on buds or flowers, can cause distorted blooms and lesions on flower spikes. Spider mites, which thrive in hot, dry weather, can infest the foliage, causing discoloration and weakening the plant. Daylily rust, a fungal disease, can also affect the foliage, causing unsightly pustules and potentially impacting plant health.
To manage these potential issues, regular monitoring of the plants is crucial. If thrips are detected, insecticidal soap can be used to control their population. For spider mites, a strong spray of water can help dislodge them, and in severe cases, an appropriate insecticide may be necessary. Daylily rust can be prevented by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering. If rust appears, remove and destroy affected foliage to prevent further spread.
Companion Plants Hemerocallis 'Romantic Returns' blends beautifully with a variety of companion plants, creating stunning combinations in the garden. Here are some suggestions for companion plants that complement the vibrant colors and growth habit of 'Romantic Returns':
| Companion Plant | Description/Benefits |
| Amsonia 'String Theory' | A lovely perennial with feathery blue flowers that bloom in late spring, providing a cool contrast to the warm tones of 'Romantic Returns'. Its delicate foliage adds texture to the garden. |
| Echinacea 'PowWow White' | This white coneflower cultivar offers a striking contrast to the deep pink blooms of 'Romantic Returns'. It attracts pollinators and provides long-lasting summer color. |
| Leucanthemum 'Cream Puff' | This Shasta daisy cultivar features fluffy, creamy white flowers that bloom profusely in early summer, creating a harmonious blend with 'Romantic Returns'. |
| Monarda 'Electric Neon Coral' | With its vibrant coral-colored flowers, this bee balm cultivar adds a bold accent to the garden. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, enhancing the biodiversity of the planting. |
| Salvia 'Bumblesky' | This compact salvia cultivar produces masses of sky-blue flowers that bloom from early summer to fall, providing a long-lasting contrast to the pink hues of 'Romantic Returns'. |
| Veronica 'White Wands' | This upright veronica cultivar features elegant white flower spikes that bloom in mid-summer, adding vertical interest and a touch of sophistication to the garden. |
Uses in the Landscape The versatility of Hemerocallis 'Romantic Returns' makes it a valuable asset in various landscape settings. Its vibrant blooms and attractive foliage make it an excellent choice for:
- Borders and Beds: 'Romantic Returns' adds a splash of color to perennial borders and mixed beds, blending well with other flowering plants and foliage.
- Mass Plantings: When planted in masses, 'Romantic Returns' creates a stunning display of color, particularly effective on slopes or in large open areas.
- Container Gardens: Its compact size makes it suitable for container gardening, allowing you to enjoy its beauty on patios, balconies, or decks.
- Groundcover: 'Romantic Returns' can be used as a groundcover in sunny areas, suppressing weeds and adding visual interest.
- Naturalized Areas: Its adaptability allows it to thrive in naturalized areas, such as meadows or woodland edges, where it can blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
Design Ideas with 'Romantic Returns' To maximize the impact of Hemerocallis 'Romantic Returns' in your garden, consider these design ideas:
- Combine with complementary colors: Pair 'Romantic Returns' with plants that have blue, purple, or white flowers to create a harmonious and eye-catching display.
- Vary heights and textures: Plant 'Romantic Returns' alongside plants with contrasting heights and textures to add visual interest and depth to the garden.
- Create a layered effect: Position 'Romantic Returns' in the middle layer of a border, with taller plants behind and lower-growing plants in front, to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- Repeat throughout the garden: Repeat plantings of 'Romantic Returns' throughout the garden to create a sense of unity and continuity.
- Use as an accent plant: Plant 'Romantic Returns' as an accent plant in a rock garden or near a water feature to draw attention to these focal points.
Hemerocallis 'Romantic Returns' is a truly exceptional daylily cultivar that offers a wealth of benefits for gardeners. Its captivating deep rose-pink flowers, extended bloom time, and adaptability make it a versatile and reliable addition to any garden. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, 'Romantic Returns' is sure to impress with its beauty and ease of care. Its long-lasting blooms, from early summer through mid-fall, provide continuous color and a delightful fragrance, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a low-maintenance yet stunning perennial. The adaptability of 'Romantic Returns' allows it to thrive in various conditions and landscape settings, from sunny borders to container gardens, ensuring its place as a favorite among daylily enthusiasts.
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!
