"Explosion" Watercolour 10 x 10 This time of the year, the countryside is exploding with day lilies. They line the roads and show up in gardens that have banished them years ago. Most of us take them completely for granted. If there ever was an unloved plant, this is it.
Some years ago I hung a print of a watercolour by Doug Hook in the kitchen. Painted in watercolour far beyond my abilities at the time, it showcased the grace and transparency of the day lily. Since then, I have had a greater appreciation of this lily and in fact of all lilies. They are the forgotten marathoners who put up with a poor base, road salt, freeze-and-thaw cycles, and still succeed. If you've ever tried to eradicate a naturalized lily, you already know that you are likely to fail in the face of their relentless determination to live. I think this is something for which we should be thankful.
There is a long descending path near here which must be in full bloom now, all of the flowers competing to lean furthest out. I take pictures but sometimes forget to stop and really look. Aisha presented me with a bloom from their yard this week. A knowledgeable ten, she was nonetheless surprised to hear that the flowers are edible, but still wanted me to have it as a gift. I was able to look closely at the elegant curved stamens with their deep orange pollen poised near the pistil. The petals themselves have cadmium yellow throats which deepen to peaches and magentas. Good gift-givers know exactly what to give.
Some years ago I hung a print of a watercolour by Doug Hook in the kitchen. Painted in watercolour far beyond my abilities at the time, it showcased the grace and transparency of the day lily. Since then, I have had a greater appreciation of this lily and in fact of all lilies. They are the forgotten marathoners who put up with a poor base, road salt, freeze-and-thaw cycles, and still succeed. If you've ever tried to eradicate a naturalized lily, you already know that you are likely to fail in the face of their relentless determination to live. I think this is something for which we should be thankful.
There is a long descending path near here which must be in full bloom now, all of the flowers competing to lean furthest out. I take pictures but sometimes forget to stop and really look. Aisha presented me with a bloom from their yard this week. A knowledgeable ten, she was nonetheless surprised to hear that the flowers are edible, but still wanted me to have it as a gift. I was able to look closely at the elegant curved stamens with their deep orange pollen poised near the pistil. The petals themselves have cadmium yellow throats which deepen to peaches and magentas. Good gift-givers know exactly what to give.
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