We are Zone 9 here (not sure if it is 9a or 9b). I have had 'Sears Tower' now for several years in that same pot, and it seems happy enough (despite being crowded, underfed, underwatered, and getting too much shade). I'm not sure how hot it gets for you there in SE Virginia (our average summer temperature is in the low to mid 80s, but we do have some days in the 90s); or, for that matter, how cold it gets for you in the winter (no snow on the ground here). 'Sears Tower' might do well for you.
I have to wonder if one thing that might be a deciding factor in North/South viability of daylilies is the combination of heat and humidity that you guys "in the South" get. I remember years ago trying to order something from White Flower Farm, and them trying to argue me out of it, saying that it would not do well here (i.e. promptly die). (I went through this routine with them for a couple of years.) They had at that point in time not yet come to understand that "Zone 9" in the WEST is not the same as "Zone 9" in the SOUTH. Lol. (Yes, I always got the plants from them (I had to agree that they would bear no responsibility if the plant died), and whatever plants they were, they always did fine here.))
Somewhat related to that, I am slowly coming to the conclusion that I will never get the performance from "Southern" daylilies here that the hybridizers claim, even though we are Zone 9. (Not to mention that such "Southern" daylilies all too often can not handle our frequently cool nights, which is a particular peeve of mine.) I am slowly beginning to see the wisdom in what Richard Norris says, about ignoring hybridizer hype and looking to see what does well in YOUR garden (and, if you are hybridizing, going from there). He (and certain other Northern hybridizers) are working for Northern rebloom, and I find my attention more and more drawn to such Northern (or MidWestern) hybridized daylilies. (It bothers me not at all that many of those daylilies are dormant; in fact, I think I prefer that they are dormant! Somehow the foliage usually looks nicer to me - at least early in the season.)
