Southern Sundrops

   I have a strong interest in night-blooming plants.  Perhaps this is because I prefer nighttime over the daylight hours or maybe it is because I find it curious that there are so many lovely flowers that very few people ever see.  Not many folks go traipsing about marshes, swamps and woods by the light of the moon.  In the gardens, there are the usual night-bloomers that are cultivated to become showpieces but, out in the wild, there are those that are equally as lovely.  It just so happens that, since I leave the place sort of "wild and woolly", wildflowers often make their way into the gardens.  I noticed a rather weedy looking plant growing next to the gatepost a couple of weeks back and was curious as to what it was.  It had sprouted up right next to a couple of wild Goldenrod that were allowed to stay so why not let this plant have a chance to prove itself, as well?  

  Since my days begin long before daylight, the first blooms on the "invader" were noticed as I headed to the pier.  A mental note was made to photograph the blooms on my way back to the Little Bayou House after fishing.  That did not happen as the blooms were withered by the sunlight.  I would have to try again.  Then, along came (wannabe) Hurricane Sally and the plant was forgotten for a few days.  This morning as I went to check on how the boat was fairing with the storm, the blooms were gorgeous!  Even with the occasional gusty winds, the plant stood strong and proud!  Yellow blooms were waving in the breezes and dripping with raindrops but I got my photos!  

  The Evening Primrose is a native plant that pops up anywhere that birds drop the seeds.  The bright yellow blooms open quickly at dusk and will wither equally as fast just after dawn.  The nectar is a food source for many moths and the seed capsules are sought by birds.  For humans the greatest use is as Evening Primrose Oil which is being studied as a possible healing aid for some conditions such as arthritis...(that would be nice!).  

  For now, the plant is welcome to stay where it is.  Eventually, it will be moved to a more convenient place as it sort of blocks the gateway.  Having useful and beautiful plants is what gardening is all about and to have another night-bloomer is an added plus.  

The "Rain Forest"

  For the past three days, it has rained...a LOT!  In fact, we have gotten nigh on a foot of rain according to the rain gauge attached to the garden fence post.  Throw in the fact that it is in the forecast for us to have rain for the next three days and you can imagine how wet things are here.  You can also probably imagine just how shabby the yard looks.  All of this fine rain has made the plants slap happy so everything has grown a foot or so.  This would be alright if I was able to push that lawnmower or run the weed trimmer.  Poor Son will have to tackle the chore himself come the first dry day.  My work efforts are still limited so I am no use whatsoever.  

  While strolling through my queendom of the Small Gardens, I was able to venture out the gate for a few moments.  This took me to the back of the greenhouse where just last night, the Night-blooming Cereus plants were in full bloom.  The huge, saucer-sized flowers were a thrill to see and I was ever so thankful for Son.  His steady, strong arms guided me to the perfect spot to photograph the blooms.  He, also, took photographs in case mine were shaky.  The blooms were truly breathtaking and the outing was invigorating.  

   During the few moments we were there, he and I both noticed that the plants on that back deck were enormous!  The rain obviously agreed with them.  Just a week ago, it was easy to maneuver on the little porch but now there was  little room to even get to the doorway.  It was a jungle back there!!!  My secluded oasis had turned into a "rain" forest!  I need to hurry and heal so I can get back to caring for my plants as they could all use a good trimming.  The Small Gardens shall have to wait a bit longer but the Queen shall soon return! .Perhaps I should add Queen of the Back "Rain" Forest to my title!  I am gradually increasing my realm!

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.

Night Scents

  I have always been one who is fascinated by the night.  Darkness hides so many things.  I am much more cautious these days as I am getting older but during my younger years,  a good hike about the place in the middle of the night was invigorating.  In fact, the kids and I would often venture out after midnight to traipse about the place.  A foggy night was even more enticing.  We would hike down the lane then make a sharp right and head down through the woods to the creek bed.  From there, our meandering would bring us back up behind the chicken house and around by the canebrake.  The hikes were never long but were enjoyable.  Things look so much different, sound different and even smell different than they do during the daytime hours.  Hikes with the kids were nigh on thirty years ago but they still talk about our times.  I miss those times.  My hikes now are generally limited to early morning treks around the hillside and the marsh edge and are never at night.  I miss the suspense of what is around the next corner and the intrigue of how much more alert the senses become at night when you cannot fully depend on the eyesight.  

  At daybreak, I headed out into the garden and was immediately engulfed in the sweetest aroma.  The Four O'clock plants were in full bloom!  These bloom late in the evening and then close during the early morning.  While the plants come with a variety of colored blooms, mine have all mixed together over the years to become hot pink.  This is the hazard of saving seeds year after year.  The plants cross pollinate and soon you wind up with only one color.  It is fine by me as long as they still smell so delightful! 

  Finding the blooms this morning has made me realize just how much I am missing by not doing the nightly hikes.  If ever my kids come back to the Little Bayou House, perhaps I can convince them to take just one midnight hike...just for old time's sake...just for old Mom's sake. Maybe?  Perhaps I should just open the windows tonight and be happy with that.

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.  

Magical Night Gardens

  It seems as if some gardens are prettier at night than during the day.  Let a full moon occur and every white bloom in the garden literally glows.  Some flowers bloom exclusively at night but even those that are day bloomers take on a different appearance. While there is not much in the way of gorgeous flowers in the garden this late in the summer due to the heat, there are those that insist on carrying on with their budding.  The Madonna Lilies are towering over my head and have dozens of huge, white trumpets, the four-o'clocks wither flat each day but early evening brings their fragrant, hot pink buds bursting open and the moon flowers now cover the jasmine arbor and delicately unfurl their plate-sized blooms at dusk.  Throw in a few night blooming cereus buds and the almost nonexistent daytime garden is a wonderland at night.

  This evening, I stepped out the front door to catch a quick glimpse of the moon flowers in bloom.   A slow, drizzling rain made the intoxicating aromas of the garden blooms hang heavy around me.  A few moths were busy visiting the blooms before the rains strengthened and made feeding impossible.  There also were a couple of billion mosquitoes there!  All of that beauty had to be absorbed in a matter of minutes before I raced back inside.  My nighttime garden would have to wait until I am able to whip up some herbal bug balm.  Tonight's visit was just sampler.  My magical night garden will soon be at its best!

 

  

Sweet Smelling Flowers, Open Windows and Cool Breezes!

  In the evening when the temperatures start to drop a bit, I turn off any air conditioners and open the windows.  I find I sleep better with the sounds of the Bayou instead of the constant, irritating buzz of a machine.  I cannot relax when anything is "going fast".   The ceiling fans on the slowest mode, ACs off and windows open make for a good night's sleep.  Hearing the frogs, crickets, owls, fox, cicadas and even the coyotes can put me in dreamland in nothing flat! 

  This evening, I pulled aside the heavy curtains, raised the blinds and flung open the windows on the east side of the house.  These windows overlook the garden making the air greet me with any number of aromas. Tonight, a sweet, floral scent wafted in on the evening air.  Ahhh, the Four-o'clocks were blooming!  Tonight's sleep will be even more restful!

  Four-o'clock is the common name given to the plant, Mirabilis.  The plant grows up to four feet tall and is covered with hundreds of sweet smelling blooms. It gets the common name from its habit of blooming late in the evening only to close come first light.  The plant can be grown from seed or by tuber and once you get a start, it usually will last a lifetime.  Sometimes, the sheer number of seeds can be a nuisance as the plants will spread about the place.  This is easy to remedy by picking the seeds or merely cutting the plants with the mower.  

  The Four-o'clocks in the garden are "volunteers" that have claimed a spot in one of the herb gardens.  The plants sit among the Oregano, Thai Basil, Dill and Fennel.  None of the herb plants seem to mind their new neighbor so the Four-o'clocks can stay for now.  Later, they will be relocated into a more appropriate spot...preferably near the windows!