Moon flowers

The following is another item in our Epigram series of articles.

Moon flowers

By Anna Hundley

There is something intriguing about flowers that bloom in the evening. I was fascinated when I heard about them at the Fall Plant Exchange last year. Moon flowers are large white trumpets that bloom in the evening with a sweet perfume fragrance. The seed pods weren’t dried out yet, so one of our parishioners was collecting names of people who wanted to give them a try. I’ve never been particularly successful with seeds, but I love white flowers and, well, night blooming white flowers, I couldn’t resists. A few months later, I got the call to pick up my seeds from the back porch of Epiphany House. I was encouraged to see they were not the tity-bity little speck of a seed that so many flowers seem to be. They were more like little beans. In early spring I planted the Moon flower seeds and some Cleome seeds, I also got at the Fall Plant Exchange, and waited.

My patience was rewarded. All Summer I’ve been enjoying the unique Moon flowers that are a focal point on my deck, planted in a favorite pot. The Cleome (or Spider flowers) have added wispy charm and helped to fill in my perennial bed.

Come share your love of gardening at the Fall Plant Exchange on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9-11 a.m. Plants and seeds of all kinds are welcome.