Use & Care NotesCompanion Plants
Ruby Spider Daylily: Huge Ruby Blooms Behind the Lavender
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Ruby Spider daylily is a multiple award winner and one of the best-known red spider-type daylilies. Its flowers are gigantic, about 9 inches across, with long, spoon-shaped petals in dark ruby red that open wide and flat to show a large golden yellow throat and golden midribs. On 34-inch scapes, they are hard to miss from anywhere in the yard.
Ruby Spider at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hemerocallis 'Ruby Spider' |
| Flowers | Dark ruby red spider form, about 9 inches, with a golden throat |
| Foliage | Medium green, arching; dormant type |
| Size | Scapes about 34 inches; clump 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late June, peaks early July, single flush lasting several weeks |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade |
| Deer | Susceptible |
A bold backdrop for lavender
Ruby Spider blooms right as lavender reaches its peak, from late June into early July. Planted behind a lavender row, the huge ruby flowers float over the purple spikes like a second, much bolder layer. Dark red and purple are rich together, and the gold throats add a spark of light.
One clump makes a statement; three in a group make a scene. Daylilies tolerate heavier soil than lavender, so put Ruby Spider at the back of the bed where drainage is a little slower and keep the lavender up front on the best-drained ground. Try layouts in the Companion Plant Planner.
Protecting that dark color
Very dark petals can fade or scorch in strong afternoon sun. If you can, choose a spot that gets full morning sun and a bit of light shade in late afternoon, such as the east side of a building or the edge of a tree's shadow. You will still get plenty of flowers, and the ruby stays rich.
Planting and care
- Planting: soak the bare root fans, set the crown about an inch below the surface over a small mound of soil and water well.
- Water: regularly the first season; once established it handles heat, clay and dry spells.
- Tidying: snap off faded flowers and cut bare scapes to the base after bloom.
- Problems: leaf streak in wet summers and crown rot in soggy soil.
- Fall: a dormant type, fully hardy in Michigan. Clear dead foliage after a hard frost.
- Dividing: every few years when clumps get crowded.
Frequently asked questions
What makes it a spider daylily?
Spider types have long, narrow petals. Ruby Spider is an unusual spatulate form, with petals that widen into spoon shapes at the tips and open very flat.
Is it safe for cats?
No. All parts of daylilies are toxic to cats.
Does it rebloom?
It puts on one main flush of several weeks rather than repeating later.
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