Over 30 years ago, my wonderful Grandma Dotta gifted me 2-3 of her bulbs for the above flowers. She called them daylilies, but they may have another standard name. I planted them at our place in southern Illinois. They did ok. They moved with us to central Illinois, and survived another move across town about 10 years ago. I thought they were planted in a small bed on the side of the house. Two years back, some appeared in the back yard. Don't know how they got there. Last year a few came up in the front yard. Don't know how they got there either. This year, they are taking over the iris bed in the front. What a treat. This photo just doesn't do them justice. When you drive into the garage, they are just masses of pink.
I wish Grandma was around for me to tell her how they lift my spirit. I wish she knew how I feel when I remember her vivid description of how they would grow green foliage at first, and then appear to die back, but to be patient because when you least expect them, they'll send shoots from the ground with these pink lacy blooms. She makes me smile.
So what to do? I think I'll flag them in a few days and do some digging this fall. I'd like to share some with my siblings and mom in St. Louis. Then I'll see if I can corral them into other beds. But maybe leave just a few behind to surprise me. Flowers that surprise you with smiles is a good thing.
