At long last we got measurable rain last night. We are still in an extreme drought condition, and it looks like that will not change any time soon, but the half an inch of rain that we got yesterday was extremely welcome.
The moonflowers were opening this evening just before sundown, and I took the opportunity to take a few pictures of the huge snow white blooms. I love the contrast of the white against the dark green foliage.
Close Up of Moonflower
Moonflower Vine on Fence
Moonflower Vine on Fence
Even though it is risky to plant things during the summer, I couldn’t resist putting some plants in the wheelbarrow planter. I chose a combination of Pennyroyal mint, asparagus fern, Laura Bush petunias, and Carex ‘Cappuccino’.
Wheelbarrow Planter
15 Comments To "Rain and Moonflowers"
#1 Comment By Bonnie On June 30, 2008 @ 9:14 pm
Love the moonflowers. I’ll be posting about mine soon.
#2 Comment By Annie in Austin On July 1, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
They look wonderful growing horizontally on the fence, Carol – good luck with the wheelbarrow plants.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
#3 Comment By Carol On July 2, 2008 @ 8:23 am
Hi Bonnie – your moonflowers look great. They seem to be about the same maturity as mine.
Hey Annie – I am pleased by the look of the moonflower vines and passionvine on the fence also. Funny, when we installed the fence I was thinking more about defining the space than what I might grow on it.
Cheers y’all.
Carol
#4 Comment By Lori On July 5, 2008 @ 7:42 am
Your moonflowers look gorgeous. I was hoping some would reseed themselves for me this year, but instead I have morning glories in colors I never planted!
Good luck with the wheelbarrow plants. I haven’t been able to resist planting in this heat and drought either!
#5 Comment By Carol On July 5, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
Greetings Lori – these are the best moonflowers I have ever had. I guess it is the full sun location. I have always had them in partial shade before. I enjoy morning glories also.
So far the wheelbarrow plants are thriving!
Carol
#6 Comment By Charlotte On July 24, 2008 @ 10:08 am
i have moonflower vine i’m wondering if it will seed and where it seeds from..could i collect the seeds from it?
#7 Comment By Carol On July 24, 2008 @ 11:46 am
Hi Charlotte, it will set seeds after it blooms at some point. The seeds are large and off-white. (I don’t remember exactly where the seeds set on the plant) You can collect and plant them. In order to ensure germination I usually use a nail file or sandpaper to thin the seed covering, and then I moisten several layers of paper towels, wrap the seeds in the towel, and put them in a plastic bag. Then check them once a day until you see them sprout. Once they have sprouted, plant them in moist soil and keep them fairly moist.
Carol
#8 Comment By Charlotte On August 2, 2008 @ 8:57 am
thanks so much. still havn’t seen the seed but its blooming so pretty!
#9 Comment By Carol On August 2, 2008 @ 12:50 pm
Charlotte – check out this picture on Dave’s Garden – [3]. It clearly shows what the seed pods look like when they have set seed and are ready to harvest.
Mine are still blooming too! And they smell so sweet.
#10 Comment By Charlotte On August 6, 2008 @ 7:48 am
wow what a great picture showing where the seed is. thanks.! and i have another question? i seen this lovely tree it had long red flowering spicks off the top this tree is 30 foot easy beautiful leaves. it’s leafs are big. ill try and get a pic of it when i go by again. i was wondering if you might know where i could look to see pic of trees maybe i can find the name of it?
#11 Comment By Carol On August 6, 2008 @ 11:23 am
The way I usually go about trying to identify plants, or bugs, if I have no idea what they are is to use Google. I try to take pictures of the identifying aspects of the plant, and then I just use different keywords and phrases to search on in Google. So, for the tree you describe, I might search on “tree with red flower spikes”, and then select ‘images’ from the Google menu to browse through the images until I find what I am looking for.
#12 Comment By Charlotte On August 6, 2008 @ 1:48 pm
your great!! i did the search and i found it. it’s a Umbrella tree. thanks so much again
#13 Comment By Charlotte On August 6, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
oh i dont know if you can see this but here it is [4]
#14 Comment By Carol On August 6, 2008 @ 3:34 pm
Amazing. Based on your description, as using the method that I described to you, I found the umbrella tree image and thought that it might be the plant you were trying to identify! Google is a fantastic resource.
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