I would like to order some Spider Daylilies come Spring. Some of the ones I like are soo tall. Please give me your pros and cons on tall daylilies. I would like to know which are your best growers with the strongest scapes.

Thanks, jardindefleurs

The tallest I have are Springfield Clan and Thin Man. Both are UFs, not spiders, but I always get those forms confused anyway.
SC has the stronger scape, at least here. I like their height in the back of the bed, or, in the case of TM, up against a decorative fence panel with shorter daylilies like Bold Move and other perennials in front.

SC; TM

What zone are you in? I think the answer may fluctuate a bit with that info as scapes can be different sizes depending on climate and feeding/watering habits.

I grow FREE WHEELIN but I have also had JERSEY SPIDER and DISCARDED BEAUTY. Out of all of those the tallest was DB and the most consistent with strong scapes was JS. Of course the flower I like the most out of those three is FW...

For me the pro is being able to have something planted towards the back of a bed, especially if it is not really accessible from that side, that will grow and show above the other plants. The con (and it's a big one) is that the scapes may not be strong enough to support the flower and either require staking or they will just flop over.

Thanks, that was quick!

Yes, Spiders or UFs, either one. I live in NM zone 7. We get very strong winds here, so I was hoping I would not have to stake them. I like both of those red ones and will look them all up.

They are good for the back of the bed. That's the only advantage I see. Well, I have all winter to think about it. I just have to try some.

The newer spiders and ufs should not have to be staked if grown in full sun, watered and fertilized, no matter where you live. We have hurricanes here, If I have to stake one I don't want it.

Hi, Fred!!!!

Thank you, spunky1

That's encouraging. Plenty of sun here.

I love the tall ones! Thry are great in the back of the bed also you don't have to bend down to enjoy them, or to hybridize with them. I prefer a nice 36" scape to a 22" scape. That being said I have plenty of short ones too.
Sergeant Major is a great red that doesn't need staking. 44"



Royal Celebration is also a nice one that does not need staking. 38"



I LOVE Dances with Giraffes, It is new here and I have needed to stake it, However I have seen mature clumps in others gardens that were not staked at all, with no flopping. So I am thinking once it gets established it is more stable( has a better foundation maybe).
here it is 60"
this scape flopped

these did not


Autumn Minaret is ginormous and has not required staking for me. 66"





Parrots Hilton 36"


Another favorite is Startling Creation 42" strong stout scapes on this one.



Velvet Ribbons is another great one.44"


Lillian's Womans Touch a dip is fantastic at 32"

Very nice Kim I prefer the taller scapes too. I have back issues so not bending is good for me.

I love the tall ones, and have a couple of them on the back side of my bed. Of course, "tall" to me, is 45 inches and taller. Anything shorter than that, is "normal" - since I am mostly into the bigger daylilies". Eventually I am going to get some of the really tall ones for back there ~Jan

I like TALL - except Autumn Minaret is a bit tall for me - eyeball to eyeball is OK. Here's my buddy Jim Murphy a few years ago when I asked him to pose in his seedling patch with some of his tall seedlings. Jim's well over 6' tall!



Many of Jim's cultivars are in the 4-5' range. Margo has some tall ones too.

I'm happy to see such enthusiasm for the tall ones. Sounds like they might not be as problematic as I thought they would be.

OH GOLLY GEE!!! I just have to have Dances With Giraffes. I'm willing to stake that one. kimkats thanks for posting those beauties, and floota thats a great visual for putting things into perspective. I can hardly wait to own some of these.

WARNING WARNING THIS MAY BE ENABLING AND DANGEROUS TO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT but I noticed it's on the Lily AUction for a really nice price(better than I got It for)
http://www.daylily.com/cgi-bin... Just Sayin'

BTW that is not my auction nor am I affilaited with this seller.

Hello Debra
All of these have great scapes.

BANNANA SMOOTHIE Tallest one I grow, almost 6ft.

BUDDY'S WILD AND WONDERFUL About 36"

LILLIAN'S VAPOR TRAIL 40"

LOOSE REINES

My tallest in it's second year here at 65"is..
Sears Tower


Tropical Depression @ 45"


Sherwood Gladiator @ 48"


Pack Hunter looking over the four foot fence

If you like pale colors and/or white-yellows, every single person who has commented loves Lillian's Vapor Trail
Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Lillian's Vapor Trail')

If you have a tall dl that has thin scapes (well I guess it wouldn't even have to be a tall one), and it is not planted in full sun, the lack of sunlight will cause it to grow spindly or lanky. You can try moving it to an area with more direct sun and see if that helps before deciding to toss it.

kimkats, thanks for the tip. It is a pricey one.

All of the ones that have been posted are just beautiful. I really appreciate the pics. The list is getting longer by the minute.