They are friends forever, easy to care for, and are considered by many as “the near perfect perennial.”

So why are daylilies so misunderstood?

Possibly it is that the Southern standard “Stella de Oro” is often the only variety planted along roadsides, or in the lawns of banks or other professional offices. But Dave Flanigan, a daylily enthusiast and cultivator of more than 800 varieties, says the flower has a pristine beauty more attractive then orchids.

“Soon after my retirement from Thiokol, I found an ad in the Athens paper advertising daylilies that were ‘best of the old and newest of the new,’” he said. “I traveled to the nursery and was stunned to find such colors and shapes, edges and eyes in all the different varieties. I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing!”

Flanigan is one of nine speakers at the 17th Annual Dogwood Festival April 18 and 19 in downtown Athens. The event is an annual fundraiser by the Athens – Limestone Beautification Board. Flanigan will speak at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19.

Dogwood Festival organizers recommend pre-registration for the presentations to secure a seat in case of overflow attendance. To register or obtain a complete listing of speakers and event schedules, call the Keep-Athens Limestone Beautiful office at (256) 233 – 8728 or visit its Web site at www.keepathensllimestonebeautiful.com

The event also will feature bands and entertainment, food and plant vendors, exhibits and classes from Lowe’s and children’s events such as the Do–Da Parade and a bike safety course.

Flanigan grows more than 800 daylily varieties, an almost overwhelming sight during the summer where tourists and Master Gardeners make the annual pilgrimage to his East Limestone garden named Capstone Daylilies.

“Although I do try to place taller daylilies behind shorter ones, my artistic talents resemble those of an armadillo — I dig holes — although I do try my best to fill those holes with beautiful flowers,” he said.

He says the garden is a constant surprise each morning as new blooms emerge and continue to do so over a 100-day span during the summer, something even the hardiest perennial cannot beat.

“Daylilies are relatively free of insects, can be purchased in prices ranging from $3 to $300 each, and are very hardy,” Flanigan said. “I still have my first daylily, which was a gift from a friend in Huntsville in 1968. It moved with me to Chicago, then to Utah and back to Alabama where it is happily preparing for its 40th bloom season here in Athens.”