Curt Hanson's Crintonic Garden Catalog said:BELA LUGOSI
95 M 33 SE
((BLACKWATCH sdlg: parent of ETRUSCAN TOMB, VELVET UNDERGROUND, GOLLUM, SATANIC MAJESTY) x NAIROBI NIGHT) x tet GRAND MASTERPIECE
The last of the original tet GRAND MASTERPIECE progeny to bloom, and possibly my finest purple to date, BELA LUGOSI inherits its clarity and depth of color from the BLACKWATCH grandparent which has been a cornerstone in my work with purple. The flower is a true self, devoid of any lighter watermark or deeper eyezone that could detract from the emphasis on pure color—which is a rich, true burgundy purple, enhanced by an exceptionally smooth velvet-like finish and soft lemon-lime throat. Overall form is very full, wide and gently reflexed, with an air of dignity. The petals are graced by deep undulating ruffles. Substance is very heavy and the flower opens well even after cool nights. The stately scapes are tall and erect, with well-spaced three and four-way branching. BELA LUGOSI is fertile either way, and is emerging as a parent of extraordinary merit. HM 99, AM 01, Lenington 07

I bought this daylily when it was introduced. Today, 17 years later - it remains the purple that I compare all the others to. Holds up well in sun. The year I had rust, it was only lightly affected. I have many daylilies that are newer than Bela, but it remains in my top 5 favorites.

This is one of those plants that I saw a huge difference between the one I bought from the hybridizer and the "big box store" tissue culture plants. I bought one from a couple stores and the flowers were not as intense, did not hold up to sun as well, and branching and bud count was inferior. I composted the ones from the big box stores.

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