Double Pardon Me Daylily: Rose-Like Cranberry Blooms Up Front

Double Pardon Me daylily takes the familiar cranberry red of the classic 'Pardon Me' and multiplies the petals, up to about 18 per bloom instead of the usual six. The result is a rounded, rose-like flower about 3 to 3½ inches across with a small yellow-green throat, carried on compact 18-inch scapes. The flowers open in late afternoon and stay open into the next day, so they are at their best in the evening.

Double Pardon Me at a glance

A low red accent for the lavender bed

Deep red and purple make a rich, jewel-toned pairing. Because Double Pardon Me stays compact, its flowers sit at or just below lavender height, so it works as an accent in front of a lavender row rather than a backdrop. Plant it in small groups of three at intervals along the bed and the cranberry blooms read like punctuation marks between the purple.

It blooms in early to mid-July with the lavender, then sends up later scapes after the lavender harvest, so the bed keeps some color into late summer. The evening-open habit is a bonus if you sit outside after work: the flowers look freshest just when the light turns gold. Plan placement in the Companion Plant Planner.

Care tips

• Light: full sun for flowers, but dark petals can fade or scorch in strong afternoon sun. Light afternoon shade keeps the red richest.
• Soil: average and well drained; it handles heat, clay and dry spells once established.
• Deadheading: remove spent blooms and cut finished scapes after the flush.
• Fall: a dormant type that dies back completely. Clean up foliage after hard frost.
• Winter: fully hardy in Michigan. Avoid soggy winter soil.

Edging and containers

Its compact size suits edging, mass plantings and large containers. In a pot, use a free-draining mix and water when the top inch dries. It is offered as a bare root plant: soak the roots, set the crown about an inch below the soil and water well. See the product page for current availability.

Frequently asked questions

Is it the same plant as Pardon Me?

It is a sport, a natural mutation, of 'Pardon Me' with double flowers. It keeps the parent's color, long season and repeat bloom.

Is it safe for cats?

No. All parts of daylilies are toxic to cats.

Why do the flowers look faded some afternoons?

Strong afternoon sun can bleach dark red petals. A spot with a little afternoon shade helps.

Keep exploring

• Double Pardon Me Daylily Bare Root Plant
• Companion Plant Library
• Companion Plant Planner
• Care Calendar