Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The Patience Flower


Every summer I try to grow moonflowers, Ipomoea alba. I plant numerous seeds (hard as rocks they are) soaked in wet paper towels for days and nicked ever so slightly. A few germinate in my little pots and because they do not like the transplanting process even fewer survive when I move them to a warm sunny area.  Being the tropical exotics that they are, they like it hot and it isn't until August that I begin to see any real growth in the vine.  Finally on August 8, I saw this bloom at the far side of my deck as I was heading back into the house at the end of the day.  This one bloom makes the whole deck smell like a lovely perfume store or an evening in Bali.  The blossoms last only one night, do not bloom until after I head indoors as they are waiting for the sun to set, and the plant itself will start to suffer with the cool nights of September.  But every year I am rewarded for my patience with these few precious weeks of beauty and fragrance.

13 comments:

  1. Wow! What a beautiful flower! And the fragrance sounds enchanting!!
    Enjoy!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  2. I managed two plants this year. They survived, somehow. I did something (God only knows what!) to the bunch I had on the side of my house.

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  3. I have two very small plants that someone gave me. Planted in front of my home. Will see what happens.
    I would be so pleased if they survive. Your image is a beauty.

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  4. Fascinating. A whole new meaning to a one night stand!

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  5. gorgeous bloom.
    I 'm trying to imagine the scent... I'll take your word.

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  6. They certainly sound lovely and worth the effort.

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  7. I am far too impatient for Patience Flower:)

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  8. You really committed to these posies. Like Granny Annie I am too impatient for this and neglectful in the garden too. What a wonderful prize for your devotion to them.

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  9. patience does pay off..that fragrance sounds amazing...glad you noticed it...smiles.

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  10. Lovely! I tried to grow some this year for the first time, and something chomped on the tender, young vines before they got a fair start. Next year, I'm starting them in pots.

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  11. Wish I had smell-o-vision on my computer. I'll bet it is heavenly!

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  12. there is grace in patience, yes?

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  13. Some of the sweetest, most beautiful things in nature are those that are short-lived (consider that sunset). Luna moths are another.

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Glad to hear from you once again. I really like these visits. Come sit on this log and tell me what you are thinking.