You'll see them all over the North Shore--in alleys, ditches, front yards, around trees. They are Hemerocallis fulva, the Asiatic daylily, about four feet tall with big orange flowers that each open only for a day. Not a native, it's considered invasive by the State of Illinois and should never be planted where it can get into the wild.
Nonetheless, it has found a lovely place in back alleys by waste containers where not much else will grow. It welcomes us there with a bright summery glow. It is also edible, and was a favorite of forest food-stalker Euell Gibbons. The unopened buds are considered quite delicious sautéed in butter with a dash of salt. I would be wary of eating anything from an alley, but if you have an edible garden you might try some. Anyone doing it? Other people eat the tubers, also sautéed.
It's great to have these gorgeous flowers greet you when you take out the garbage. This daylily is neither good nor bad. It is telling its truth without words and without silence.
