The Vibrant Spiderman Daylily: Ideal for Low-Maintenance Gardens

The Vibrant Spiderman Daylily

Daylilies are a popular perennial flower cherished by gardeners for their low-maintenance nature and ability to thrive in a wide variety of climates. Of the tens of thousands of daylily cultivars available today, one particularly eye-catching variety is the Spiderman daylily.

The Unique Features of Spiderman Daylilies

Spiderman daylilies (Hemerocallis 'Spiderman') earn their name from their intensely colorful red petals with yellow-green throats, resembling the costume of the popular Marvel comic book and movie superhero. The six-inch flowers bloom in mid to late summer on sturdy two-foot tall scapes above grassy clumps of arching green foliage.

Like all daylilies, each Spiderman daylily flower only lasts a single day. But each scape produces dozens of buds which open in succession over a bloom period of up to five weeks. New flower scapes continuously emerge to extend the enjoyment of these striking blossoms in the garden.

The Vigorous Growth Habit of Spiderman Daylilies

Spiderman daylilies are tetraploids, meaning they have four sets of chromosomes in each cell instead of the usual two. This gives them an exceptionally vigorous growth habit and the ability to produce larger, more abundant blooms than many diploid daylily varieties.

These hardy perennials grow well throughout USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9. They tolerate almost any soil conditions, though well-drained soils enriched with organic matter will encourage the most luxurious flower production and plant growth.

Where to Plant Spiderman Daylilies

Spiderman daylilies thrive with full sun exposure, though they will tolerate partial shade, especially in hot southern climates. Space plants 18-24 inches apart to allow each clump to reach its mature size of approximately two feet wide by one foot tall.

Use Spiderman daylilies massed together in borders, cutting gardens, and containers. Their colors beautifully complement purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, garden phlox and many other popular perennials. They also make striking specimens all on their own planted in groups of three, five, or seven for high visual impact.

Caring for Spiderman Daylilies

Spiderman daylilies require very little care other than basic maintenance to look their best each year.

Watering Spiderman Daylilies

Supplement rainfall with weekly thorough waterings if natural precipitation totals less than one inch per week. Soak the entire root zone and allow the soil to dry slightly between irrigations.

Reduce watering frequency as the foliage starts dying back in late summer. Stop irrigation completely once all foliage has turned yellow and browned in early winter.

Feeding Spiderman Daylily Plants

Apply a slow-release, balanced granular fertilizer formulated for bulbs and perennials in early spring when new foliage emerges. Follow packaging instructions for proper product rates.

Liquid plant foods can also be used per label directions every two to four weeks during the active growing season if plants need an extra boost of nutrients for better performance.

Pruning Spiderman Daylily Foliage

Remove spent flower scapes back down to the base after the last blossoms fade. Pruning out the old foliage as it declines in late fall can also be done, though leaving it stand over winter helps capture insulating snow cover.

In early spring, cut off any remaining tattered foliage or trim plants back to within an inch or two of the ground. Daylilies generate fresh new leaves quickly at the start of each growing season.

Propagating Spiderman Daylilies

These rugged plants multiply readily through division. Separate dense clumps by digging up entire plants and gently pulling sections apart by hand every three to five years. Replant divisions immediately at the same depth in gardens or pots.

Spiderman Daylily Variants to Try

If you love growing Spiderman daylilies, check out these other introductions in the Spider series from hybridizer Pauline Henry:

• Chicago Spider - Double red and green flowers
• Custard Candy Spider - Creamy double blooms with raspberry eyezones and edges
• Wayside Spiderman - Vibrant watermelon-red blossoms with lime green throats

With their unique, eye-catching flowers and rugged resiliency, it’s easy to see why Spiderman daylilies and other daylilies have become iconic sights welcomed by gardeners around the world each summer.

FAQs

How much sun do spiderman daylilies need?

Spiderman daylilies thrive best with full sun exposure of at least 6 hours per day. They can tolerate partial shade, especially in hot climates, but may produce fewer flowers.

What is the best time to plant spiderman daylilies?

The ideal time for planting spiderman daylilies is in early spring once the danger of hard frost has passed. But they are extremely tough and can be planted throughout the growing season as long as adequate irrigation is provided.

How far apart should I space spiderman daylilies?

Allow 18-24 inches between each spiderman daylily plant to provide adequate room for the foliage and root systems to develop as the clumps expand to 2 feet across.

Do I need to deadhead spiderman daylilies?

While not strictly necessary, deadheading or cutting back spent flower scapes as blossoms fade keeps the plants looking neat. Leaving seed heads intact means the plants will self-seed, resulting in new seedling plants nearby.

What kind of fertilizer is best for spiderman daylilies?

Use a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer formulated for bulbs and perennials to nourish spiderman daylily plants in early spring when new growth first emerges.