Daylilies Are Soul Food
I am sitting in my home office with the windows wide open, drinking in the sights of a Knoxville spring. The red dogwood is in full bloom just outside my window. I can see the spring foliage of the daylilies, which looks so fresh and new. The Oakleaf Hydrangea is in its full glory and smells so fragrant! All the glory of spring has put me in mind of why I grow daylilies and other perennials.
In my case, I would have to begin with my Grandmother Cook. She could make anything grow. She taught me to grow sweet potato vines, carrot tops, and avocados. After I mastered that task, she began to share her seed secrets with me. Grandma felt that seeds were the very essence of life. She wasn't too scientific, but she knew what worked. Her favorite plants were Impatiens. She grew them everywhere, along with various kinds of ferns and wildflowers. She also had a few "original" roadside daylilies.
My Mother "inherited" the green thumb from my grandma. As a child, I didn't care who was related. (Just wanted to be hugged.) My Grandma Cook was my Dad's mother, but she shared cuttings and plants with my mom and me. The heritage of sharing plant knowledge is so important today as children become attached to their computers, and other electronic toys. We will miss great bonding experiences if we don't attempt to share our love of gardening.
When our kids were growing up, we always had a garden. Each boy was allowed to choose the vegetables that they wanted to plant. One chose peppers and onions, and the other chose tomatoes and green beans. Mom (me) selected the rest of the vegetables. Mike, who selected the peppers and onions, now makes a fabulous "salsa." Tim still likes tomatoes and green beans and creates all kinds of great food.
My primary flowers, at that time, were roses, marigolds and some daylilies. They were the early lemon lilies that smelled so wonderful--nothing fancy, yet! Garden clubs were my favorite pastime, when I had the time. Working full time and hauling boys to all kinds of practice for sports took up most of my time. When they got out of school and were on their own, I had some more time. By this time we had moved from Ohio to Tennessee and bought three acres. How we found our place is another story. It is up on a hill and out of sight. Though, it does seem that the city is coming out to meet us these days!
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