Seek Beauty in the Garden

By Peggy d’Hemecourt, Vice President, F2003

 

    It was there, right before my eyes, but I missed it.

 

    Last winter I had placed its hanging basket right outside the bedroom door, hanging from the pergola over the patio.  I knew from experience that, even when you know it’s coming, you may not find a way to admire its beauty.  So I wanted it in a spot that would be easily accessible throughout the night.

 

    The yard was a soggy mess and island beds off the patio desperately needed attention, but not under these conditions.  How could I spend a productive 90 minutes before sundown in the garden?  The answer was obvious.  Work the beds adjacent to the patio where I could stay out of the lawn and still reclaim control from the nut grass and other invaders.

 

    Head down, on my knees I pulled weeds with ease.  Before long, the cigar plant, henna, and copper canyon daisy were rescued from the invaders.  I laid a good layer of mulch to seal the deal and pulled out the garden hose to clean up the mess on the patio, taking time to check on the bromeliads happily growing in pots under the pergola.

 

    There under the pergola, it was right before my eyes, but I missed it.  I know from experience that its four to five inch flower bud was curled up and full, a sure sign that this would be the night.

    Tools stowed, I admired my work and retreated indoors for the shower.

 

    My heart sank the next morning as I stepped onto the patio to feed the birds.  There it was, the saucer-size blossom hanging limply from its leaf, its beauty spent.   Last evening it had been right in front of me but I’d missed it.

 

     The night-blooming cereus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) – arguably one of the most exotic and beautiful blossoms in the plant kingdom – had put on its fragrant show under the cover of darkness right outside my bedroom door, but I’d missed it.  I had been too pre-occupied with weeds the evening before to notice that it was announcing its arrival.

 

    What do you see when you look at your garden?  Do you see the beauty?  Or do you see the work to be done?  I’m training my eye to admire what’s good about my gardens, and conditioning my brain to relax when confronted with the ever-present maintenance. From now on, when I survey my gardens, I’ll be looking first for the beauty, because sometimes, like the bloom of the night-blooming cereus, it can be fast-fleeting.

 

Epiphyllum oxypetalum

Common Names:  Night-blooming cereus, Lady of the night, Queen of the night, Dutchman’s pipe

 

Occurs naturally in tropical rainforests.  Common near Veracruz, Mexico where the climate is very humid and temperatures range from 60 degrees to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.  Nocturnal bloomer; pollinated by bats and large moths.  A true cacti.

 

 

Growing tips:

Plant in a large hanging basket or a large pot. 

If potted, support with stakes or a trellis to

accommodate its natural climbing (and drooping)

habit.  Produces long, arching stems that are flat

and notched along the margins.  Grow in the

shade.  Protect from freezes during the winter. 

May be propagated by stem cuttings.