Under the Summer Moon

Video: Watch this Moonflower open up in real time.
Video: Watch this Moonflower open up in real time.

It’s not too late: not too late to start planning to see one of the most amazing natural phenomenon of summer. I’m talking about Moonflowers (includes audio).

They are the exact opposite of Morning Glories. Instead of blooming each morning, Moonflowers bloom each evening: large 6-inch or more white flowers pop open right before your eyes in a matter of a minute or two.

Video: Even Carlos Santana's guitar sang the praises of the Moonflower. (Photo courtesy of focusonthemusic.com on Flickr)
Video: Even Carlos Santana's guitar sang the praises of the Moonflower. (Photo courtesy of focusonthemusic.com on Flickr)

You can still get these babies at most local nurseries. I picked up a few at Mahoney’s in Winchester, along with a few Morning Glories. I like to plant them side-by-side and have them twine up along my 2 front-stair railings.

The Moonflower plant, just home from the nursery.
The Moonflower plant, just home from the nursery.

But the ideal place to plant them is somewhere you’ll be at night: maybe your back deck or patio or near your outdoor firepit, or perhaps along the fence of your swimming pool. That way you’ll be certain to see them.

And because they only take a minute or two to open each evening you can watch this phenomenon in less time than it takes you to finish that glass of Chianti. Cheers!


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