Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Purple de Oro Daylily: A Little Purple Rebloomer for Lavender Edges
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Purple de Oro daylily is a miniature daylily, often described as the purple version of the famous yellow reblooming edger. Its small flowers, about 2.5 to 3 inches across, are medium purple with dark purple veining, paler midribs, narrow pie-crust edges and a bright yellow throat. Each lasts a day, but buds keep coming nearly all summer.
Most daylilies contrast with lavender. This one blends: purple on purple, with a spark of yellow at the center.
Purple de Oro at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hemerocallis 'Purple de Oro' |
| Flowers | Medium purple with dark veining and a bright yellow throat, about 2.5 to 3 inches |
| Foliage | Arching, medium green; dormant type |
| Size | Scapes about 20 inches; foliage about 12 inches; 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early July, peaks mid-July, reblooms through late summer |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade |
| Deer | Susceptible |
Small flowers, long season
Lavender's main bloom is spectacular but brief. Purple de Oro starts in early July, peaks mid-July and then keeps reblooming through late summer, so the front of the bed holds purple long after the lavender has been cut for drying. Its compact, arching clump is low enough to sit in front of English lavender without hiding it.
Try a row of them as an edging along a lavender walk, or set single clumps at the corners of a bed. The yellow throats pair nicely with any golden companions nearby. Lay out your edging in the Companion Plant Planner.
Keeping the buds coming
- Sun: at least six hours for the best bloom. It is very heat tolerant.
- Deadhead: snap off spent blooms every few days.
- Pull scapes: once a stalk has finished, pull or cut it to the base so the plant puts energy into new buds.
- Water: regularly the first season; once established it handles heat, clay and dry spells.
- Divide: every few years when clumps get crowded.
In wet, humid summers, blooms can spot after rain and leaf streak may show up. Spacing helps.
Fall and winter
It is a dormant type that dies back completely in fall and is fully hardy in Michigan. Clean up the foliage after a hard frost and avoid soggy winter soil.
Containers and small gardens
Its small size makes it a natural for containers and small gardens. A large pot with Purple de Oro and a compact lavender makes a nice purple patio pairing.
About the bare root plant
Purple de Oro is offered as a dormant bare root plant. Set the crown about an inch below the surface with roots spread, then firm the soil and water. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe around cats?
No. All parts of daylilies are toxic to cats.
Will deer eat it?
Deer find daylilies tasty. Fencing or a spot close to the house is the best protection.
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