The Spider or UFo you couldn't do without?

15 years ago

My personal favorite is Red Ribbons simply because have it, it's prolific and pleases me every day they're in bloom. I'm partial to reds anyway, yellow content regardless. I already have a reverse type I want to try picked out, Spindazzle and I'm watching the auctions but I'll need more than 2 fans to be happy...Finally, for sure growing Mico this season (Mom's got my Oake's form ready for Christmas!), I've read mixed reviews but size more than color is hopefully going to be it's strongest appeal for the planned bed (back corner of a square 1/2 acre lot, hoping for 'road appeal')

Just curious about your favorites, the ones that please you most and possibly sources? Granted I'm a sucker for reds, the funky greens like Easy Ned have caught my eye and I'm looking for some good performers. I have more than enough room for a variety of colors and combinations but I'm a tad impatient...

Which ones do it for you and why? I'm primarily looking for tall varieties but prolific producers might very well negate height. Really interested in Thin Man but there have to be some I've missed or overlooked of similar proportion? Attached a repost of my faves, not very true to the vibrant colors but true to form and they dance in the wind on tall scapes. I pull in my driveway and smile no matter how long or hard the day has been!

I know there's a search feature and I use it but hey, it's December in Ohio and I'm itching for July. Any input appreciated!

~Wes

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Comments (15)

opnjmprs
15 years ago
Two of my taller spider type DLs are SKIN WALKER and LAUGHING SKIES. I'm not at the computer that has my picture files right now, but I'll try to post a couple pics later today.

Linda
Marquisa
15 years ago
Hi Wes:

Since I became interested in spufs a few years ago, the focus of my gardens has steadily changed over to these wonderful forms. At first, the appearance, size and height caught my interest, but when I learned that you can have Ã¢ÂÂanimationÃ¢ÂÂ in your garden when the spufs bounce and dance in the wind I was sold on them (and they make me smile too).

I'm in southern Ontario, so a plant's ability to thrive in cold temperatures and frequent winter freeze-thaws is important. These two have been outstanding overall in plant habit and performance for me (and major contributors to my breeding program).

Cheers, Penny

WEBSTER'S PINK WONDER (Webster-Cobb, 2003): I've measured first blooms at 14Ã¢ÂÂ diameter! This clump sits near the end of our property and every year people driving by stop to ask about it. Bud count until last year was on the low side, however we had record rainfall last summer and WPW had outstanding bud count and branching. I suspect that this may be a cv that does well with supplemental watering. Moderate rate of increase, but huge fans that quickly fill in their alloted garden space.

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LET THE GAMES BEGIN (Schwarz, 2001) I am a huge fan of Bob Schwarz' daylilies and this is one one of his best in my gardens. It is slightly taller than the registered 48' here with 4-5 way branching and up to 45 buds. Truly outstanding when blooming as a clump. It had no problem with handling the worst drought we've had 50 years in 2007 and did equally as well in the wet last summer. Despite its height, scapes never lean and has good increase.
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running_free
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the pictures and info Penny! Looks like you have quite an assortment from the view beyond Webster's Pink Wonder...and that must be Let the Games Begin looming above the mass? Very interested! Found their website, some very interesting introductions to be found for sure. Plenty of home improvement plans keep my budget tight and I rarely go high-dollar on plantlife but I might just have to treat myself! Looking for big and bold and LTGB sure seems to fit the bill!
lynxe
15 years ago
I'll add my two thumbs up to WEBSTER'S PINK WONDER, still haven't gotten that one, but I admire it every summer in a nearby AHS display garden.

I'll also second the comments about Bob's daylilies. I have his WAKE UP AMERICA, which became a must-have after I saw it in one of the '06 national convention tour gardens on Long Island. This one's a UFO crispate, tall (registered as 34"), bright, clear yellow with a brilliant green throat.

Another daylily I went bananas over when I saw it in my neighboring AHS display garden is Ned Roberts's MOUNT ECHO SUNRISE. Knock-you-to-your-knees garden presence, a very tall cream polychrome. Hardy in your garden? Do not know, as it's listed as a sev. Many of Ned's things are Colorado-bred, but I don't know about this one. All I know is that I was nuts to not buy that one from the display garden. A must-have for next year for me.

Since you like reds, I recommend one of the many Gossards I grow: WAYNE FELGAR, a UFO crispate listed as a fluorescent red blend (it is, definitely), and tall (46").

Oh, and on the topic of red ones, I totally agree with your pick of RED RIBBONS. I apparently have photographed that one every single year that I've visited the display garden. A large clump is planted in front of an aged wooden split-rail fence, next to purple monarda -- what a great color combo that is. The brilliant reds and purples get me every time.

If you want orange, there's the famous PRIMAL SCREAM. I love this one! I put off getting it for years because it had been a Stout candidate and therefore pricy and then a winner and therefore still pricy. I guess I do a good job of cutting off my nose to spite my face. :) Anyway, another tall UFO, registered as a crispate-cascade. My understanding is that it's somewhat hard to work with. How hard - do not know.

Continuing in the category of screaming oranges and such, there's Pat Cochenour's SCREAMCICLE. Has PRIMAL SCREAM as pod parent. Brilliant, gaudy color, and tall. I love it.

You can also get oranges & yellows from other lines, like Tet SPINDAZZLE. I have RICHARD HERBERT HAYNES, one of my top three must-haves from among all the daylilies I saw during the 06 national convention. It's not registered as a UFO, but it seems enough like one to my eyes.

There are so many wonderful SPUFs that I could just go on naming them. I had to divide up my spider group's saved images, originally just in a single folder, into 11 subfolders....A through C, D through F, etc. I still ran out of room, and I started doing it by hybridizer name instead. I doubt I have room in my garden for even a fraction of the ones I love!
lynxe
15 years ago
For some reason, I thought you were much further north than you are. I have no idea where I got that idea from! We're probably gardening in similar conditions, so you should definitely check out Ned Roberts's intros.
Marquisa
15 years ago
Wes, you're right about LET THE GAMES BEGIN being the tall clump in the photo. I'll also wholeheartedly agree with Lynxe's comments about WAKE UP AMERICA - even though it's been here only a year it screams at you from across the garden and spectacular with multiple blooms.

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If you'd like a few more big, bold, budget-wise plants, three great ones that would look great in a back of the border display are:

RED SUSPENDERS (Webster 1990):

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OSTERIZED (Hite-Davisson, 1999) - especially showy when it polys!

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STRUNG OUT (Whatley, 1998), I don't think this was registered as a UF but certainly has UF-ness here (Tinkers has better photos that show this)

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gonegardening
15 years ago
My personal favorite...so far...is Velvet Ribbons. I also adore Desert Icicle for its 'attitude'...and Magic of Oz is very fine as well.

Webster's Pink Wonder should show its promise here next year as last year it was adjusting, I think. I have seen it in a display garden and totally agree it is eye-stopping.

There are so many wonderful ones...I've added quite a few through the years as they are just so entertaining. The only Schwarz I have (I think...lol) is Tuxedo Junction...which I bought after being wowed by it in a display garden. Schwarz daylilies are not easy to come by.

I also like Gossard's Heavenly Angel Ice. And, don't forget Margo Reed and Jim Murphy's many contributions. Last year, Margo's Flight of Orchids put on such a show. After Awhile Crocodile was one of the last daylilies blooming here.

Well, I'm sure I could go on and on...
tweetypye
15 years ago
Here's a few from my garden that I absolutely couldn't be without.
One you're already considering is Thin Man. A gorgeous huge bloom on tall scapes.

Another that I dearly love is Let It Rip. Bright bold color on tall scapes and a prolific increaser in my garden.
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This ones a bit shorter than the first but it won't be missed! Octopus Hugs can be seen from the opposite side of the garden really well and blooms it's head off for me.

Another big old "in your face" spider is On Silken Thread.
Grows and blooms well in my garden.

If you like the green hued yellows, try Lois Burns. I've grown it for years and love it.
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Finally, an oldie but goodie is Miss Jessie. You can't beat it for increase and bloom. I wouldn't be without it.

Hope you find some you like. :)
Jan
shive
15 years ago
I love unusual forms. My favorite dip unusual forms are

1. SILVER EDGINGS
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2. LONE STAR WAGON WHEEL

3. ORCHID FOREST
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Others I'm very fond of are Emerald Eye, Frilly Bliss and North Wind Dancer.

Debra
Edward_Kimball
15 years ago
My two I wouldn't want to do without are Heavenly Angel Ice and North Wind Dancer.

Edward
opnjmprs
15 years ago
Finally found time to dig out some pics to add to this thread. Red Ribbons is one of my favorites also....I love to see it in large clumps. It makes an impressive display.

Linda

RED RIBBONS
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ALABAMA JUBILEE

PRIMAL SCREAM
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RUBY SPIDER
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LAUGHING SKIES
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Cindy zone 6a
15 years ago
I really like Ruby Spider and that's a nice pic. I also have Parade of Peacocks which stands out in the center of the flower bed.
Cindy

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fairysoapgirl
15 years ago
I don't have too many yet, but I do have Miss Jessie, and I would second that nomination. Blooms and proliferates like crazy:

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A UFO I really like is Lucid Moment. It has clumed up well, and gave me great blooms in the first year, but it is not overly tall (30"), so maybe does not fit your needs:

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The tallest plant I own is Hi Ho Silver - very unique and beautiful to me, and towers at 46":

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Can't wait to see my new Laughing Skies next year!!
nanny56
15 years ago
I just started adding spiders/UF's this fall. So I will see my first blooms on them next year. But I added Witches Stick, Creature Of The Night, Dixie Rooster and Thorhalla. I just ordered Heavenly Angel Ice for spring delivery.

I see a couple more here I may need to put on The List!
pamghatten
15 years ago
Some of my favorites from this year:

Greywoods River Dancer
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His Highness doing the "Poly" thing:
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John Karl Seager
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Medicine Feather:
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Ostrich Plume - an oldy but goody:
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Platypus Pam - from my friend Linda Michaels, I actually picked this out of her seedling patch, and she introduced it becasue I liked it!
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Rosy Lights - but the photo is a little too green
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Skinwalker:
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And I could go on and on ... these are obviously my favorite forms!

Here is a link that might be useful: Lots of pics