The Heart of a Moonflower

Sometimes, despite our vegetable crushes and flirtation with foliage, it all comes down to flowers. I don't care how enticing the tomato or crisp the lettuce, food will never enchant me like flowers do.

I have two favorite flowers in my garden at the moment, one I can't stop looking at, the other I go out and sniff about a dozen times a day. Have you ever gazed into the heart of a deep, dark moonflower? Ipomoea purpurea 'Grandpa Ott's is an annual vine with big, heart-shaped leaves. It'll grow 10-12 feet over the summer. The velvety purple flower appears lit up by its own luminous center.  Imagine dozens of these beauties festooning a fence or clambering up an arbor or screen.

 

The fragrant enticement is a new-this-year double Oriental hybrid lily called 'Lodewijk'. Maybe because it's the first year in the ground, or because I grew it in a pot, it's shorter than the expected 3-4 feet, and blooming far later than July as anticipated. But it's absolutely as beautiful as advertised, and smells heavenly. From the fragrance, you'd think an especially fragrant gardenia was blooming on my deck. 

Comments

[Denise]

I always try to avoid making comments like "But what about how invasive it is?" because I know region-by-region comparisons are useless as far as invasives. But because that 'Grandpa Otts' morning glory is SO beautiful I have to write that in So Calif it can really get away from you. Three years ago I weakened and grew it and just hoed out a couple more of its progeny today, with some growing up cannas I couldn't reach. That's some tenacious germination. Often the vines will insinuate up plants without my even noticing until they're well on their way. I love staring at your photo though. Such spectacular color.

[valerie Easton]

No problem here in the Northwest, as this morning glory dies at first frost and I only wish it would seed itself about. Thanks for the S. California info though - gardeners in warmer climates, please take note...
Val

[Liz Jefferys]

Is there a way to reach you via email? I'm the President of the Kingston Garden Club and we'd love to hear about your new Low Maintenance Garden book.