Blooms in the Night

I knew yesterday, like an expectant mother, that last night would be the night the Epiphyllum oxypetalum would bloom. When I remembered and ran out in my pajamas with the camera with animals following, the fragrance greeted us at the door. Two blossoms, one out of sight toward the floor, were partially open.


Buds and a bloom supported by the Epi tree, a permanent structure that supports the long ungainly stems of the Epiphyllum. In the foreground is the Christmas (Thanksgiving) cactus with buds. The buds at right are 'Exotica' Hippeastrum. The Amaryllis buds had sprouted long stems when I bought them, so they have to reach back toward the sun to straighten themselves.


Fully open this morning for my birthday.


Ike shows off the two remaining buds that will open soon.

Deep River of Song: Blues

The blues is a blending of African and European traditional music characterized by its melancholy (or blue) notes expressing suffering and deprivation. Songs are typically structured in three-line verses, with the third line summing up, or rephrasing, the sentiment expressed in the first two. Beginning in the nineteenth century, blues music developed throughout the southern United States from slave work songs and field hollers. Later, southern prisoners in jail and on chain gangs added songs of murder, death row, and their treatment at the hands of the wardens.*

Some of my favorite blues in the garden:
Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly

Lacecap Hydrangea 'Mariesii Varigata'  with Mopheads

Hydrangea serrata and Mophead hydrangeas

Saliva farinacea and a blue bottle tree

 
Two kinds of Hyacinths

 Agapanthus and Hydrangea



*The New Georgia Encyclopedia, A project of the Georgia Humanities Council, in partnership with the University of Georgia Press, the University System of Georgia/GALILEO, and the Office of the Governor.

This post inspired by Kiki's 'Essence of Blue' Theme.

Blooms Who Moved Inside

The first frost date is so uncertain. We know it is coming, will it be tonight or in two weeks? Conservative gardeners try not to leave blossoms to chance.
Ground orchids are possibly hardy here, dying back to return in spring, but I want to see them bloom all winter.




In a few days, Night Blooming Cereus will open for a single night's glory and fragrance.




So many bloggers have blooms on their Christmas Cactus. Mine still have tiny buds that look like babies' teeth.




It was a hard choice between a red anthurium and the white. That licorice plant needs to be pinched and the cuttings rooted.




Pentas bloom most all winter, inside.


Begonias are everywhere, and some gingers for foliage interest.