Magic In The Small Gardens

  Since my "realm" has been reduced to the small gardens, I have become greatly appreciative of anything that resides therein.  The flora and fauna has become my world.  Things that I have often overlooked as "Queen of the Small Gardens" now have great interest.  Each has become a great wonder that purely has me awestruck.  As I discover life again, things in my newfound domain deserve extra notice.  So, I study each.  I delve into the "whys and wherefores" of the importance of each on this earth and in my gardens.  Life is good.  In fact, LIFE is great!

  Yesterday evening, Mark took me out just so I could photograph the moonflowers that climb upon the new trellis that I built before my limitations were set in place.  These flowers seem almost magical to me!  During the daytime hours, the buds are tightly wound spirals but let evening fall and the buds start to unfurl!  Then, the full glory can be seen...and smelled!  The side yard is filled with sensations of the best kind.  

  Moonflower blossoms are said to perfectly represent the phrase "Out of the darkness comes light."  It refers to the spiritual awakening of those who are lost.  The blooms of this vine literally glow in the moonlight which fully adds to the understanding of the comparison.  This, of course, is meaningless unless one ponders things as I do.  All gardens are special places that folks can find themselves if they only seek to do so.  Whether, a certain blossom brings a bit of enlightenment to mind or whether a simple dose of introspection does, a garden is sure a fine place to start.

Totally Missed!

  Every now and again, things go in a different direction than you had intended.  I do a lot of photography.  In fact, I probably take far too many photos.  I do not take too many photos of people, however.  Getting nature shots is my goal.  I figure at the rate we are losing critters and plants to the abuse of this old world, it might be prudent to get a few photos of things even if it is for my own satisfaction.  Sometimes, however, that plan goes awry and the photographs do not turn out as expected.

  Late this afternoon, Mark and I headed to the pier to check the crab traps.  It was a nice evening so we sat a bit and just before dark, headed back to the Little Bayou House.  Once we neared the front steps, something fluttered past my head and to the moonflower blooms.  My first thought was that this was a hummingbird but why was it out so late?  Then, it dawned on me that it was a large moth. The moonflower blooms were just beginning to unfurl and the moth could not wait to crawl inside for a sip.   The trusty, old camera is always in hand so I started trying to get my pictures.  The moth was quick and was not happy with me being so near.  It flitted from one blossom to another without stopping.  Try as I might, I could get nary a photo of the intended critter.  I did get a nice picture of the moonflowers!

  So, the idea is to sit outside tomorrow evening and see if our friend returns.  Perhaps a "perfect shot" will be forthcoming...perhaps not.  With photographing critters, there is no "Hold still, now!"  "Smile!" or "Pose this way!"  You take what you get.  It requires a lot of patience and a lot of dealing with bug bites.  I am ok with that.  

Night Gardens

Have you ever considered just what happens in your garden at night? Sure you might fret about animals that eat the fruit and vegetables but I am referring to the flower gardens. The gardens that are solely there for the benefit of our senses. One of the most tantalizing gardens is a night garden, one where the true beauty can only be experienced after sunset and well into the evening. Years ago, I had such a happy little place as this and I am collecting plants to create another. I still have a few tubers of Four-O-Clocks that are a wonderful addition to any garden but especially in the night garden. They fill the evening air with wonderful aromas and bloom all summer long with very little care. These beauties come in a wide range of colors and once established will reappear for years to come. Make sure to plant the seeds in a place that does not need to be disturbed as they will make a tuber after the first year.

White flowers of any kind are a must in the night garden. They literally shine in the moonlight when all colored flowers seem to disappear into the darkness. Lilies, Jasmine and Gardenias will all add a splash of brilliance plus wonderful scents to this space. If there is some sort of support, a fence or trellis, the Moon-flower vine is definitely a "must have" plant. This vine produces very large blooms that resemble the Morning Glory in shape. The buds themselves have a beautiful spiral to them and they open into seven inch blooms in the late afternoon. Moon-flower vines are annuals so be sure to save a handful of seeds for the next year. (Use care when handling the seeds though, they are toxic.)

For those with a more exotic taste, there is always the Night-blooming Cereus. This is a tall succulent plant that produces buds along the edge of the leaves. These buds take a week to mature to blooming stage but are well worth the wait. The blooms are huge with a multitude of petals that open to fill the entire garden with incredible fragrance. With proper care the Night-blooming Cereus can get quite large and be covered with many, many blooms. Last year, my plant had eighty-seven of these massive blooms at one time. The blooms only last one night but I do recommend this plant just for the sheer "wow" effect. It is that amazing. This plant is not cold hardy and should be moved indoors during the winter months.

A couple of last notes about night gardens. I do advise that the garden plot is placed near the house so that it can be enjoyed on many evenings. Next to the entry, by a deck, near a porch would be perfect. Another tip is to mark pathways with stepping stones or gravel that will shine in the moonlight so as to keep artificial lighting to a minimum. Small path lights that are unobtrusive might suffice when the moon is not cooperating. Water features add another nice bit of ambiance as will a seating area. Happy night gardening!