The Flower Hour #21: Flower Of An Hour

Mar 10, 2026

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The Flower Hour #21: Magnolia Tree Blossoms

Flower of an Hour (Hibiscus trionum)

Etymology of the common name Flower of an Hour is the Greek hora (hour) and this flower became associated with Horae — the Greek goddesses of time and seasons.

Flower of an Hour blossoms are about six cm in diameter, with five, creamy-white petals that have dark burgundy colouring at their base. The blooms last a mere half-day, which is why, in both mythology and folklore, they symbolise fleeting moments and ephemeral beauty ‒ both of which I cherish.

As you’ve no doubt surmised, one of my photographic passions is wildflowers. We moved here (south-west Ontario) in the summer of 2022. In between days (long, arduous days!) of unpacking, I indulged in some outings to the local trails. Two things struck me: First, and weirdly (to me, at least) there are no wild (Oxeye) Daisies here in Essex County. And I love my Daisies. Second, there were, growing profusely, seemingly everywhere, beautiful white, burgundy and orange wildflowers that I’d never before encountered — Flower of an Hour.

At Hillman Marsh Conservation Area, the Digue Dyke Trail is a 4.5 km loop trail atop a raised dyke, providing views of both the marsh and Lake Erie. This trail is mostly flat, mown grass and dirt (lots of well-packed, very dry sandy dirt). It’s doable (just!) with my walker.

In August that summer, the dyke trail was liberally decorated with Flower of an Hour blossoms. So much so, I’d to be ever so careful I didn’t roll over or step on them. The butterflies loved them (as did I).