Daylily Wisdom: Savor the Moment
- Linda Crider
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
It's always a challenge to write about a plant or individual flower that I often see and admire, but have yet to grow myself. This is certainly the case where lilies are concerned. After some initial research, I discovered that there are quite a few kinds of lilies with different properties. Where I live, most species are fading as summer begins its slow transition to autumn, but the perennial DAYLILY promises to return year after year. The Farmer's Almanac calls this elegant but hardy plant "a gardeners dream" due to its low maintenance requirements and long growing season.
The Almanac also tells us that if a Daylily (Hemerocallis) flower opens later or closes earlier than its usual time (7:00 a.m. opening to, 7:00 p.m. close), it's a sign to watch for rain. This is one way she speaks to anyone available to take notice and listen.
Aside from this example of weather folklore, the short lived Daylily has other ways she vividly imparts her unique advice. For those open to the language of flowers and willing to take notice, Daylily's wisdom comes through to us by virtue of her brief life cycle. She is one of those flowers who makes a showy burst of a bloom, but only lives for a single 24 hour period, hence her popular name. The message is pretty obvious: make the most of every day; celebrate each moment as time is fleeting and you won't get these moments back again.
No doubt you've heard this carpe diem advice repeatedly, but the Daylily serves as a daily reminder. So if you have these edible blossoms thriving yearly in your line of vision, lucky you! I know they happily survive the high desert climate where I live, so I plan to add some to my flower garden next planting season.
I once assumed that all lilies grow from bulbs, but that is not the case with this gal who emerges from fleshy roots called a "crown," and is known to spread rapidly, a benefit which assists with erosion control.
As an individual flower, she may only live one day, but she has lots of company as each stem offers multiple buds. When one bloom begins to wither, there's usually another to pick up the slack and maintain the visual impression of a flourishing community.
Daylilies come in different colors but the most common is the red-orange Hemerocallis fulva that you see pictured
here↑ as well as above in herbalist Lisa Estabrook's plant spirit card.
Lisa expands on the valuable message from the Daylily by emphasizing the importance of living in the present, allowing for the natural flow of life to occur. This comes with the deep understanding that we cannot change things outside of ourselves. She includes the word "CENTERING" on the card and explains that centering, or becoming aware of our "inner stillness"involves simply "being." This state of awareness is inherent in each moment, but it takes practice and patience to avoid worrying about the to-do list that tends to circulate in the busy monkey mind.
"Our culture teaches us that being productive means that we have value," she writes. "Daylily says you already have value, and when you are still you can hear the whispers of your heart, confirming this truth."
More positive traits are attributed to this particular lily who originates from Asia. In Chinese culture it is sometimes referred to as the "forget-worry" plant (aimed specifically to comfort worried mothers) while in western culture this and other species of lilies have become associated with renewal and new beginnings. Daylily often serves as the dramatic focal point in floral bouquets. She brings stunning color to weddings and a cheerful, uplifting atmosphere to funerals and celebrations of life. This is briefly explained and illustrated in the following video made by one of the many avid lily gardeners!!
As always, thanks for letting me share my thoughts and journey with you. I welcome your input, so if you want to submit a comment, scroll down to the bottom of this post. If you are interested in booking a personal session, you can do this here:
You can also contact me via email at: my.plant.allies@gmail.com
For now, here's wishing you wellness, wisdom and bloomin' vibes!
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