Gerry,
While reading your list of desired characteristics, it was as if you were reading my mind! Tall, sturdy scapes, good branching, and high bud count are what I am looking for now after 10 years of collecting pretty faces. Thank you for a nice article and for the suggestions of good ones to buy!
I would like to suggest Hakuna Matata if you don't already have it. I was at a daylily farm (now closed) last year and even though I had spent more money than intended and was ready to leave, Hakuna Matata kept calling my name, lol! I am soooo glad that I got it.
The only thing about it that you may not get is the rebloom. FFO this year was 7/5 and it still has several blooms left on it 4 weeks later. I am thrilled with it.