Who, besides me, thought that daylilies are native American woodland plants? Daylilies are actually from Asia and the ones that we see in woods and forests are invasive escapers from gardens!

Orange daylilies (Hemerocallis fulva) growing wild in Inwood Hill Park

Daylilies are clearly very vigorous plants that spread easily (often a bit too much) and are pretty resistant to frost, drought and diseases. There are many beautiful cultivars in colors ranging from light yellow to dark red. Several different varieties grow in our garden and are now flowering.

An additional benefit of daylilies is that the flowers are edible. In Asia, they are eaten in soups and stirfries, but I have put them as a sweet and colorful additions to salads, too.

A warning is in order: as with mushrooms, don’t take a bite if you are not absolutely sure that you identified your species correctly. Other lilies are poisonous!

Right now, Spigelia marilandica (indian pink or pinkroot) is blooming in a couple of shady spots in our garden. This pretty woodland perennial grows naturally in the southeast of the United States. Its range does not include New York, but it seems do well in gardens here.

The attractive red and yellow tubular flowers are typically pollinated by hummingbirds, who are–like most birds–especially attracted to red.

Spigelia marilandica is also a medicinal plant. Its roots contain the alcaloid spigeline, which has antihelminthic properties. That is, powdered roots can be used as a de-worming medicine against tapeworms and roundworms. As with many herbal medicines, the proper dosage is important: too much spigelin can cause dizziness, blurred vision, muscular spasms, nausea and other unpleasant effects.

I have not seen a hummingbird in the garden this year. But yesterday, I notice the first fireflies. Summer is here!