• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Carol J. Michel

Award winner author of gardening humor books

  • About
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Shop
    • Gardening Humor
    • Children’s Books
    • New – The Halloween Hare
  • Speaking
    • Upcoming Speaking Engagements
  • Social
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
  • Gardening Humor
  • Children’s
  • All Books

May Dreams Gardens

For Whom The Flower Blooms

May 28, 2009 By Carol Michel 12 Comments

Ask not for whom the flower blooms, the flower blooms for thee, the gardener.

Oh, how we wish that were true! Then we could command flowers to bloom whenever it pleased us for them to bloom. But we know that flowers are not for us, they are how the plants continue their species, they are for their survival. They are merely vessels designed to attract the perfect pollinator… bees, flies, moths, butterflies, even the wind. Their shape, their color, even when they bloom, are all part of the grand scheme of it all, designed, divined so that the pollinator is there when the flower blooms.

And I thought this Delphinium bloomed for me! After all, I’ve waited so long for it to bloom in my garden. I’ve been watching that bloom stalk for weeks, it seems and the other day wondered if it was actually going to bloom while I was in Chicago over the weekend. But then last night, as I was mowing, I saw that it was finally blooming. Blooming for me! I actually stopped mowing, went inside to get my camera, and then took pictures of it and admired it for a minute or two.

Later in the evening, some thunderstorms rolled through with all their wind and rain, and because I didn’t stake the Delphinium it is probably now flat on the ground.

Let’s go out and check.

Oh, well, while it lasted, for just a few hours, it was nice to see and enjoy.

I have another bloom that usually arrives just once a year, and is always eagerly anticipated and watched, the night-blooming cereus, Ephiphyllum oxypetalum. She is truly the Queen of the Night with a strong scent decided to attract who knows what as a pollinator. But she generally just attracts me, and makes me stop what I am dong and watch her bloom.

I have four very nicely rooted starts of the Queen of the Night that I am taking with me to the Chicago Spring Fling. They should be nicely rooted, since they’ve been in their little pots for two plus years. One is spoken for, but three are up for grabs. If you are going to be Chicago and have a place in your home for a night blooming cereus and a way to get it home, let me know, and I’ll give you one.

You will of course have to listen to its history, how my Dad got a start from Louisa V., who was originally from Czechoslovakia, how he used to take it outside every summer, how when it bloomed it was a neighborhood event, how he gave my aunt a start of it, how decades later she hinted for me to come and get hers as she could no longer manage such a plant but certainly didn’t want it to die, how I went to her house to get it, and how some pieces of it broke off, and I certainly didn’t want to compost then, so I rooted seven starts of them, how I gave two of them to co-workers, and gave one to my older sister, how I waited so long for the one my Dad gave me to bloom for me because mine is inside all the time, and how once I thought it was going to bloom when I was out of town for work, and so I briefly considered asking my boss if I could cancel my trip, but it bloomed the night I got home, and how it has bloomed each year since.

And I might also tell you how I care for mine.

Anyway, if you are going to be at the Chicago Spring Fling, and you read this post, be one of the first to tell me the secret code word “night bloomer”, and I’ll give you one of these plants. The bloom looks like this, just for you…

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: houseplants, perennials

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. kate smudges says

    May 28, 2009 at 1:59 pm

    Wish I was going to Spring Fling ~ I’d be happy to hear all about the “night bloomer” What a gorgeous flower.

    I’m glad that the Delphinium bloomed for you before you left. Have lots of fun in Chicago!

    Reply
  2. Carol says

    May 28, 2009 at 3:17 pm

    Too bad about your delphinium… they do demand some support but do make good cut flowers so hopefully you are enjoying it inside. You certainly are lucky however with your night-blooming cereus! I have gone over to friends to witness this delightful and delicious flower… and is not gardening all about waiting … patience and more patience. But always worth the wait for we have so much to enjoy while waiting. Were I going to the CSF I would love one of your cuttings… what a great gift! Thank you for the post with lovely photo to recall their beauty.

    Reply
  3. Helen says

    May 28, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    The Cereus is a truly beautiful flower. Thanks for the image and the story that goes along with it. I have a hoya that came from my mother, who died 22 years ago this summer. It has only bloomed for me once or twice, yet it still hangs in, looking green and sturdy. I think that’s fitting.

    Reply
  4. healingmagichands says

    May 28, 2009 at 4:57 pm

    That night blooming cereus is gorgeous. My mother had one but she managed to kill it somehow. I love the long “Tale of the Cereus”, and anyone who gets one of your starts should certainly have to learn its history. Passalong plants deserve their “Family Tree” to be known.

    Have fun in Chicago

    Reply
  5. chuck b. says

    May 29, 2009 at 2:58 am

    Bring one next year, okay? 🙂

    Reply
  6. Unknown says

    May 29, 2009 at 4:09 am

    I agree flowers don’t bloom just for us – But what’s the harm in pretending 🙂

    Reply
  7. Cheryl says

    May 29, 2009 at 10:05 am

    My grandmother had this plant in the window for years and years. I’ve never seen a bloom on it. It’s beautiful.

    Reply
  8. Muum says

    May 29, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    now I wish even more I was going to the spring fling! the cereus is be-yoo-te-ful!

    Reply
  9. Sherry at the Zoo says

    May 29, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    Boy, I would LOVE one of those, but I’m sure I would kill it, or the dogs would…or the cats…or the kids……

    It’s probably much safer going off to Chicago with you.

    Reply
  10. Commonweeder says

    May 29, 2009 at 10:21 pm

    Did you know that Edward Steichen loved delphiniums so much that he planted 5 acres of them at his Reading Connecticut home? And that he got the new (1939?) Museum of Modern Art to devote all its exhibit space to the delphinium one June? Or that he hybridized delphiniums including the Connecticut Yankee, still for sale. Please come visit my Giveaway – today’s posting at the commonweeder.com.

    Reply
  11. peoniesinthesnow says

    June 2, 2009 at 6:45 pm

    Amazing cereus, I did not know they could grow here. I lived on Maui for years and there was a rock wall full of them. So beautiful.

    Reply
  12. Jean Campbell says

    June 8, 2009 at 12:47 am

    I hope you found homes for all your epi cuttings. I enjoy my cereuses (cerei?) so much, even though space for the winter is a problem, sometimes. I had blooms in October last year and they lasted longer into the morning the next day than the summertime blooms.

    There's no way to describe the fragrance. Sometimes I go to my own blog and click on epiphyllum, just to see them again, they're so special.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Updates from Carol Michel

* indicates required
Email Preferences

Categories

  • Blog (3,047)
  • Internal (2)

Blog Tags

annuals Blogging books bulbs dr. hortfreud embrace fairies fall family flowers fruits garden bloggers bloom day garden bloggers book club garden design gardeners gardening gardening geek gardens hoes holidays hortense hoelove houseplants humor indoor gardening insects lawn letters to gardening friends perennials rabbits reviews Secrets seeds shrubs spring tools trees vegetable garden vegetable gardening vegetables weather weeding weeds when a gardener wildflower wednesday winter

The Gardenangelists Podcast with Dee Nash

Gardenangelists Podcast

Footer

Gardenangelists Podcast with Dee Nash

Gardenangelists Podcast

Connect

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • maydreams icon

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Contact
  • Books
  • May Dreams Gardens
  • Podcast

Updates from Carol Michel

* indicates required
Email Preferences

Newsletter Archive

Copyright © 2023 · CarolJMichel.com · Sitemap · Privacy Policy

Book purchase links are affiliate links and Carol earns a small commission if you make a purchase.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT