“It’s God’s creation, something for all of us to enjoy,” said Margaret Fuquay of the magnificent daylilies that adorn her garden.

The Holly Springs resident is certain she became interested in daylilies because of her sister Gloria. She thinks she began planting them in the late ’70s or early ’80s. “Gloria was into it before me,” said Fuquay, a bit of nostalgia lighting her eyes.

“Gloria sent me some tubular fans,” she said, making the distinction between tubes and bulbs when referring to the planting of the lush flowers. A member of the Raleigh-based American Hemerocallis Society, Fuquay willingly shared her knowledge one recent day, explaining that each flower is named and registered with the society. Among the registered daylilies, Fuquay favors the Spider, All American Chief, Tropical Sunset and Angel Child.

“If you cross pollinate them, or hybridize them, you get a new one — one such as you’ve never seen before,” Fuquay said with the awe that is the essence of each new flower.

Daylilies are perennials that appear each year in an array of hues ranging from yellows to peach and orange, pinks, purples and reds. While it is difficult to grow a white one, she pointed one out that is as close to white as possible. Through the winter the leaves remain either evergreen, semi-green or dormant.

Daylilies were so named because they behave as if they are theater stars in a one-time presentation — folding up slick and wet and closing their vibrant, happy, open-armed performance each night. Every morning, the ones that have withered must be pinched off, allowing brand new buds to make their appearance.

Touring the garden, Fuquay pointed out several other favorites: Grandfather Time, White Roman Toga, Sound & Fury and Victorian Collar.

“Daylilies bloom at different times of the year beginning in mid May. In June they reach their peak, but some do bloom again in late fall,” she said.

Margaret and husband, Stephen, have lived here all their lives. He is a direct descendent of the Fuquays who bought the land from the Sipahau Indians and for which the town is named.

Fuquay admits that lately she has begun downsizing her garden as it’s quite a job to keep up with caring for her beloved daylilies. They need lots of sun, and watering them is quite time consuming if there isn’t enough rain. One of her sons-in-law, Bobby Harvell, loves them as much as she does. He is now cultivating them on his Willow Spring farm.

Fuquay’s daughter, Sandra Thomas, who was visiting, said of her mother, “She’s one terrific woman, real smart, creative and always conjuring up a project for the yard — visualizing in her mind’s eye the way she wants it to look. She mentions it to me and next thing you know, she’s done it!”

“I believe I inherited my love of flowers from my daddy … who always loved beautiful things,” said Fuquay.