If you're having a hard time finding a specimen of the Mariphasa lupina lumina as seen in WEREWOLF OF LONDON for your garden, that's because it's made up! But don't fret, there's a brand new "monster flower" on the market and it's for real.
That's right; the Hemerocallis 'Bela Lugosi' is for sale at numerous online flower and gardening sites and maybe even a nursery near you. A member of the daylily family, the 'Bela Lugosi' has what is described as "dusky purple petals" and is noted as a vigorous and strong grower.
Here's a description from Whiteflowerfarm.com :
The dusky purple petals of Hemerocallis 'Bela Lugosi' arise from lime-green throats whose color bleeds eerily into a greenish gold center. It seems to suit this Daylily's namesake, the Hungarian actor best known for his role as Count Dracula. Thanks to a vigorous habit, good bud count on well-branched stalks, and a dark flower color that lasts well in sun, this tetraploid, midseason-bloomer has garnered awards from the American Hemerocallis Society. The slightly ruffled flowers measure about 6" across. Semi-evergreen foliage.
Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are the plants every gardener dreams of. They offer glorious flowers in every shade except blue, a long season of bloom (though individual flowers last but a day), and a robust disposition that makes them easy to transplant, easy to maintain, quick to multiply, and resistant to pests. They make a carefree and colorful ground cover. It is widely regarded as one of the best purple daylilies on the market.
I wonder if the floriculturist had to license the Lugosi name? I should think the Lugosi would be honored without charging anybody for it.
What's next, a green 'Boris Karloff' gladiolus?
