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Can you name a very short-blooming garden flower?

I'm writing a story, and I need the name of a very SHORT-blooming but BEAUTIFUL garden flower. If it requires a lot of dedication on the part of the gardener, and is kind of temperamental and/or rare, that's even better. If you can, please provide pictures of said flower, the time of year it blooms, and the climates it can grow in (I don't want my story to have any factual errors). I know nothing about botany... thanks for your expertise!!!

Public Comments

1. dayflower. blooms spring to fall. temperate climate http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.carrborocitizen.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/common-dayflower-group.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.carrborocitizen.com/main/2008/07/31/a-flower-that-makes-you-smile/&h=372&w=500&sz=59&tbnid=DNOm_RwZ47VUgM:&tbnh=97&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddayflower&zoom=1&q=dayflower&usg=__DFqAbc6H17xDn9Ct414V4RcDDdU=&sa=X&ei=gg9JTfTxMMrogQe7wq1H&ved=0CC0Q9QEwBQ
2. The passion flower, the bloom will only last a few days in the most perfect of conditions. If it were to rain or be really windy, the flower will die. It is a vine in will climb on most supports. Full sun and water when dry. The flower is a spectacle to behold!! http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AL5kt8LzeFM/Sp7pRdQUE5I/AAAAAAAA-Zc/idxHfEZQdcQ/s320/passionflower.jpg&imgrefurl=http://williamsnursery.blogspot.com/2009/09/ferris-wheels-passion-flowers.html&usg=__NiXR5j45UyiXQvZUBGuaZ1VZeSs=&h=300&w=300&sz=20&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=oj34YbK_EzX61M:&tbnh=123&tbnw=123&ei=hhBJTbmvKsKC8ga1yJWfDg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpassion%2Bflower%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1C1TSND_enUS411US411%26biw%3D1366%26bih%3D667%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=746&vpy=218&dur=399&hovh=186&hovw=186&tx=110&ty=110&oei=hhBJTbmvKsKC8ga1yJWfDg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0
3. I was going to suggest Hemerocallas (the day lilly) because the flowers only last a day but as they have lots of flowers buds so the plant can stay in flower for weeks. There are lots of others that have this same habit such as evening primrose, morning glory, moon flower and hibiscus. On reading your full question I don't think this is what you're after. Here's wiki link anyway. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylily I think because most gardeners are by nature quite practical you would be more likely to find this info on a specialist forum. Some people become obsessed with a certain kind of plant and must own as many as possible. Orchids, snow drops and alpine plant are a prime example of groups of plants that attract obsessives. I don't know where you are setting your novel but if you look for a plant that grows in the opposite climate that will make it hard to cultivate, although it would be more realistic if the plant came from a warmer region than the setting of the novel. Have you tried looking at rare orchids, there is wonderful info online about rare and difficult to grow orchids but not much information about short flowering time? I suppose the success of Adaption means you would rather not use orchids. Sorry I couldn't think of the perfect plant for your needs off the top of my head but I do hope my witterings have been a little help. If I have a brainwave I'll come back and add more. I really like the idea, very romantic.
4. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. It grows easily in the tropics but requires a lot of care in temperate climates as it is killed by frost or drought. Each flower is huge lasts only one day. So if your story is based in a temperate climate you have a suitable one there. I grow this and I have to keep it in my bedroom all winter. it's not rare - many garden centres sell them as houseplants - but they are hard to keep as in order to flower they need more light than you get in most houses and the plants grow very big. They flower in the later half of the summer Make sure you use this particular hibiscus, some hibiscus are hardy and will grow anywhere.