Friday, July 01, 2022

Friday Ramble - Lilies of the Sun

Orange Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva)

Why give such gorgeous creatures names like ditch lily, railroad lily, roadside lily, outhouse lily, and wash-house lily? Outhouse lily? Such blooms deserve better, more elegant monikers, names redolent of summer, sunlight and warmth, sweetness and vibrant color.

Sun worshipers of the highest order, daylilies don't open in cloudy weather and remain tightly furled. The flowers last for only a day or two, but what a show they put on in the garden, their spires rising from cool spinneys of arching green leaves, each crowned by gracefully swaying blooms with expansive golden hearts.

Dragonflies love daylilies, and at first light, it is not uncommon for the daylilies in our garden to be wearing dragonflies - the little dears are waiting for the sun to warm their wings and grant them the power of unfettered, swooping flight. Could there be there a better place to warm up than a lily in bloom? I think not.

Happy July, everyone, and happy Canada Day to my Canadian kin!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Here we call them Tiger lilies. I like that. :) Happy Canada Day!