I've grown Moonflowers for too many years to count. I love them for their pure white, almost transparent nocturnal blooms, which last until touched by the morning sun.
That's half of it -- the other being their sweet fragrance that perfumes hot, sultry summer evenings.
So what happened to my moonflowers this year? No fragrance. How can that be?
I must have bought bad seeds, or else this batch of seeds had been so highly hybridized that the scent has been bred out.
To say I'm disappointed is an understatement.
I got a late start this year planting my seeds in the first place, and Moonflowers blooms a bit later in summer than some other things I grow. Each year the flowing of this annual vine is much anticipated. When the time is finally ripe, I stroll out each evening to check on progress. Imagine my disappointment when the first bloom opened and there was no fragrance.
It would have been quite comical had anyone seen me, reaching up and pulling down one white bloom after another, grabbing and sniffing. Fortunately, no one did.
Just hoping next year will be different -- that the seeds I plant will provide late summer perfume throughout the garden.
Here's a link on last summer's Moonflowers.
Many thanks to Anna at her cat's pajamas, dog's tuxedos blog for turning me on to the Fotor app that makes a college from photos.!
Beautiful even though not fragrant. Read entry last year and can't believe a year has gone by so fast. Time is going so fast so enjoy the beautiful blossoms and before you know it, you'll be planting again.
ReplyDeleteWhere did summer go?
DeleteYay, you're using Fotor too! It's so easy and a lot of fun. Thanks for the shoutout :-)
ReplyDeleteI can imagine your dissapointment with odorless moonflowers. It's shocking just to begin to imagine what genetic alterations were done to the seeds.
I've even read that many countries today have small independent organizations that strive to preserve various plants from being genetically altered.
I need to check out one of those legs. That preserves heirloom seeds.
DeletePlants appear to be grown for their flowers/flowering time which has lead to the scent being bred out....first noticed this some years back with Freesias (part of my wedding bouquet)they had the most delicate scent,now scentless,sad.
ReplyDeleteLike Edith cannot believe it is a year since your last post!!!
Your moons still look stunning I love white plants especially at dusk.I grew Gypsophila from seed this year,some in pots/open ground,it has just started to flower placed in vases alone or mixed with other flowers it is cheaper than buying in small bunches at £1-50p!!!
Wishing you a carefree weekend,will check out the Pins later.
I too have noticed that freesias are no longer fragrant. Such a pity. Hope you have success looking on Pinterest.
DeleteClever you with the photo collage. The blossoms are beautiful but I can imagine your disappointment if they aren't fragrant. Seed companies are messing top much with the seeds I think.
ReplyDeleteWill have to check your pin boards, I haven't played with Pinterest much myself.
Darla
You would enjoy Pinterest I think! I recall you hadnanrecent post about seed companies messing with seeds. I will get my future seeds from one of those seed savers exchanges.
DeleteI love that name, moonflower! I know these as 'morning glory' and was just appreciating them here in Loches France where we are on holiday. They have no scent here either, but as I recall the ones from my childhood I can't remember that they did either. Few roses I encounter these days live up to their reputation either, which is very sad!
ReplyDeleteMoonflowers and morning glory are in the same family but Moonflowers open only at night and close during the day. Also I don't believe morning glory is fragrant
DeleteMoonflowers are not grown here, but they are very pretty indeed, despite the lack of scent. I was interested in the other comments about fragrance being bred out of some seeds, which might explain why I have grown a few freesias without the expected scent. I have not managed to learn about Pinterest yet, but clearly I must if I am not to become a Luddite!
ReplyDeleteYou are far ahead of the pack Patricia and could never be classed as a Luddite. But things keep changing so fast it's difficult to keep up!
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