The Essence of Magnolia's
The Essence of Magnolia's
Patio Garden Flowers
(All photos Copyright 1998 - 2001 Linda S. Nix)
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First, lets wait until about midnight on a summer's eve, and walk around to my back patio. You will first be aware of a strong, sweet, musky, vanilla-like scent unlike any that you have ever smelled. Then, as your eyes become accustomed to the dark, you will see huge, bright white flowers. The blossoms are heavy, and hang almost upside-down from a long, thin, tubular, salmon-colored stem.
The Night Blooming Cereus (Hylocereus undatus) Also known as "Queen of the Night" - "Reina de la noche" in Spanish, and in Hawaiian, "Pa-nani-o-ka". |
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but again, who looks at the leaves??? |
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This photo was taken a few years ago when the plant was smaller. It is much larger now. The plant itself isn't very pretty; in fact, it's gangly. Old sections of the plant turn brown and have to be trimmed off. But it is my favorite plant of all times, and I renew my appreciation of it each year. It stays outdoors all summer, and I move it into the garage (which has windows) to protect it from frost and freezing. It blooms 3-4 cycles a year, sometimes having 6-12 or more blooms a night. Often times, they all open the same night.
You can read more about this exotic plant at
Plant Encyclopedia, Hamton
Roads Gardening, and |
For a spectacular backlit photo of the
bloom, go here.
Here you can see just how huge the blossom can get.
Daylight is the best time to view
this beauty. It sits on my front porch The Angel Wing Begonia is also a treasured plant
of mine. Although not as unusual as the Cereus, it is very beautiful
when blooming. I've had it a long time, having gotten the start from
my former mother-in-law, who loved plants as much as I do, and who
is no longer with us. This plant isn't a tuberous begonia, and can
be rooted easily from stem cuttings. The leaves are shaped like an
angel's wing, with a green upper surface spotted with white dots.
The underside is a beautiful maroon which deepens with more sunlight. The clusters of flowers are heavy, and hang upside
down. An attempt on my part to upright a cluster to photograph quickly
caused the delicate flower stem to break off. This plant is typically
a house plant, but in warm regions can be placed outside all summer.
I also shelter this one in my garage over the winter. It has been
known to bloom during the winter, also. It seems to thrive in a good
bit of direct sunlight; indeed, it blooms better and looks prettier.
My neighbor planted one in his flower bed in a pot covered up to the
edge of the pot and it is thriving. Dragon Wing Begonia New to my patio this year is the Dragon Wing Begonia
which is fairly common (I got it at Wal-Mart). It has lovely green
leaves and a redder, yet smaller cluster of blooms than the Angel
Wing. I have it sitting on our patio table underneath a huge umbrella
and it still blooms profusely, almost continually, also unlike the
Angel Wing Begonia. I used to have this unusual begonia, but something
happened and it died. I haven't seen one since (it also came from
my mother-in-law), but would love to have another one. It wasn't as
hardy or as easy to grow as the angel wing begonia. This is a Beefsteak
Begonia.
all during the growing season, getting afternoon sunlight.
Swamp Mallow
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My second try at growing this plant has been successful. The first time I didn't plant it in a place where the soil could hold enough water to stay alive. It needs moist soil, and is planted at the edge of my back patio in my Angel Garden (so named because of an angel statue given to me by my step-daughter). Many mallows are white, but I lucked upon a pale, golden pinkish plant. The only problem is that the blossoms are heavier than their tiny stem, and they all turn downward. To enjoy their beauty, you have to reach down and turn them upwards.
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Clematis
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This vine comes in many different varieties. I've had this one for 3-4 years and each spring around the middle of April it starts blooming. I love lavender and purple, so this particular one (Hagley Hybrid early blooming) combines both. Its center is spectacular! This year I added two new Clematises which are still very small. Pictures will be added when they bloom.
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I purchased this plant at Wal-Mart a few years ago. I've kept it alive, and it usually blooms every year. It is a Brazilian Plume plant, I think. I like it a lot.
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Of course, my water garden tob pond is on our patio, and it is now surrounded with hibiscus, potted bromelliads, and other potted plants. I have a little flowing fountain that attracts birds who drink (and the tiny birds even bathe in it).
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This page was created on July 3, 2000.
Updated Jun3 27, 2005.
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Credits:
Background music: "Starry Night"
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All sounds and graphics not credited to others (or created by me) are considered to be in "public domain". If you see something that is not in public domain that you created, please let me know and I will either give you credit or remove it. Every effort has been made to credit when information was available. Thanks. |
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