Hemerocallis Pink Super Spider - Daylily

The Daylily or Hemerocallis 'Pink Super Spider' is an authentic 'Spider' type variety characterised by huge flowers with a spider-like design. With a strong personality, voluptuous yet infinitely coquettish, its immense flowers, 20-25 cm (8-10in) in diameter, can evoke enormous 6-branched stars, a bit soft and very undulating, in a mixture of tender violet pink, brushed with red on the edges, around a wide throat marked with white, cream, and lime green. Devilishly seductive perpetual, it is a problem-free perennial whose success is guaranteed in relatively moist and fertile soil. A feast for the eyes that will certainly turn many heads!

The genus Hemerocallis belongs to the family Liliaceae. These are hardy perennial plants whose foliage is deciduous, sometimes semi-evergreen. The 'Pink Super Spider' variety, introduced in 1982, stands out for its flower size and fresh colours. It grows in a reasonably dense clump that will reach 80 cm in height, with a relative spread of 70 cm (28in); daylilies tend to spread a bit when they like the terrain. The impressively large flowers measure approximately 22 cm (9in) in diameter, sometimes 25 on a well-nourished plant. The petals in this variety are thick, elongated and wide, very undulated on the edges, and gracefully curved. They are delicately painted in a slightly bluish candy pink, randomly washed with madder red towards the floral pieces' outer part, while the flower's centre is traversed by a white line, washed with cream, and becomes greener near the heart. Each flower lasts only a day, but repeat flowers continuously over an excellent period between July and August-September. The stems are robust and filled with numerous buds. The foliage is linear and semi-evergreen. Daylilies are plants with short rhizomes and fleshy roots that tolerate drought but are more floriferous and opulent in cool soil.

Very easy to grow, these plants thrive in shade and full sun. Some can be invasive, so don't hesitate to divide the clumps every four or five years, preferably in autumn, after flowering. The daylily is often called "the perfect perennial plant" because of its vibrant colours and ability to tolerate any environment. Due to its lack of modesty, it has a beautiful exuberance that goes well with other perennials. Plant them in generous clumps in the background of your flower beds. All summer bulb flowers can be planted alongside daylilies. 'Pink Super Spider' will fit perfectly into the decor of a romantic or even contemporary garden, with grasses (Sipa pennata, Pennisetum Karley Rose), dwarf bamboos, Nandina or white lilies by its side (Lilium regale Album, Lilium martagon var Album). Large pots of at least 30 cm (12in) deep on a balcony or terrace should be provided, choosing from the dwarf varieties. The flowers are edible: they brighten up salads and decorate desserts, each variety having its flavour!