Friday, September 23, 2011

Mornings will be changing soon........................




Moonflowers blooming at night


Remember I mentioned the Moonflowers curtaining the front porch.  Just a packet of seeds sown in Spring turned into a brilliant show, despite heat and drought - altho' I did hand water as much as I was able.  Moonflowers love sunshine for growth and the moon's light for blooming. Draping their bright green heart-shaped leaves around the posts, lanterns, grapevine balls, and the hanging ferns, they are enjoying these last days of Summer.  Being nocturnal flowers, they perfume the night air when the blooms open fully like bright white hankies, then curl inward with the arrival of early sunshine the next morning. 


The past few early mornings have not been very sunny making it possible to throw on a robe, grab the camera, then flit around the porch catching the blooms still wide open........................ 


................and yesterday I noticed they were reaching out to twine around the chandelier.  Had to put a stop to that so gently unwound them and tucked them back where they came from!


Soon I'll be taking the vines down - hard to do when they are still so lovely. Annuals in this area, they will die quickly when the first frosts come, looking sad and forlorn on the front of the cottage.  I'll not be home when those chilly nights arrive in October, so I must get them down. Come next Spring I'll plant again, Moonflowers and Morning Glories - big garden treasures from little packets of seeds.



16 comments:

  1. They are beautiful Mary! I will have to remember them for next year.

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  2. Love white flowers, especially at night. I'm with Penny, I'm going to give them a go next year too!

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  3. Mary, you just brought back so many memories for me with your moon vines!!! My Nana planted moon vines every year and she would call me to hurry up and come over to her house and watch the moon vines open up! They were just beautiful and it was a wonderful moment shared with my Nana!! Thanks for bringing back those memories!! Have a great weekend! Happy Fall Y'all!!

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  4. I have never even heard of them before Mary but they are so beautiful.

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  5. Wow ~ your moonflowers are just gorgeous ;-)

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  6. OH...I love them! A flower that blooms at night... that's simply divine!

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  7. So exotic and `Southern`` looking to my northern eyes. I have to start moving flowers off the veranda to make way for fall decorations, but I am hesitant while they are still so lovely.

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  8. I'm with Penny...I have to plant these, they are just gorgeous!

    XO,
    Jane

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  9. Breathing taking, Mary. I bought some seeds to try this year. ;-)

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  10. They are lovely...how marvelous it must be at night with their scent drifting about. I've never seen moon flowers before....and isn't it interesting there are moon flowers for night and morning glories for day!

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  11. Your porch looks like a friendly place to sit and chat with a friend. I have never seen that flower before but it is very pretty . How unusual that it blooms at night.
    I agree with you that it is sad to get rid of flowers that are still blooming but there is next year to look forward to. ( I saw your comment to Deena. I hope she is doing better. She is so sweet and has had such a rough time.)-------Shannon

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  12. They are wonderful. I didn't grow any this year. Their fragrance is part of a warm summer night. It's one of my favorite flowers. Thank you for the pictures - what a nice way to end the day. Thank you.

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  13. They area gorgeous! I had one once but it was difficult to catch a bloom opened!

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  14. Delightful flowers, how delicate & pretty they are.
    I'd love to give them a try next year.

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  15. You had such a wonderful abundance of moonflowers! I've grown them before and just love the way they smell. They will be on the list for next year again!
    Take Care,
    Ulrike

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