This is a variety of Evening Primrose that grows in my garden. I love it because it opens its petals during the cool of the evening. If you stand before the plant, you will witness magic as the petals of the bloom gradually unfold.
You know the blossoms are about to begin opening when you observe the 5-foot plant slightly shaking.
I tried to capture all the stages of the process last night. The first photo was taken at 8:13 pm CDT and two minutes later the bloom was fully open.
I don't know about you, but I think this is pretty amazing!
The lemony scent perfumes the air and attracts night pollinators.
The bloom stays open all night, but as the morning heats up the petals close and dwindle away; they do not rebloom the following night. But not to worry -- a new crop of buds are ready to charm you each night.
The plant's bloom season begins in June, and if kept watered and fertlized, will continue the night show until September.
The plant readily reseeds.
Absolutely amazing1 I have not yet seen mine open but hope to capture the event one night soon. The blooms are SO beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreat photography - can almost see it happening from your photos.
I had wanted to do a video instead of still photos but for some reason never got that done. Hope you catch the grand opening one night soon!
DeleteAll I can say is "Wow!" Reminds me of the Disney nature films I loved as a child. I am going to ask everyone I know in Tulsa if they have one of these plants so I can see it in person.
ReplyDeleteI will be saving some seeds at the end of the season so if you'd like me to send you some for next year let me know.
DeleteThat would be fabulous - I am really enjoying planting new things every year. I still have some tea to send you after I get back from my month in California.
DeleteOh - so wonderful, happening before your own eyes and now for us to see.
ReplyDeleteWhat could be the explanation for the " one night only bloomers " ?
I don't know the answer to that question. Could it possibly have something to do with the insects take all the pollen/nectar out -- the purpose of the bloom in the first place - and new blooms have to open to present new opportunities? Just a wild guess!
DeleteBeautiful photos, of an event I never knew about. How incredible that you can see the plant shaking and the petals opening. I only knew Evening Primrose as a nutritional supplement! The flower looks so sweet and delicate, and sadly it's life is very short.
ReplyDeleteThere are many night blooming plants, but this variety of evening primrose is the only one I'm aware of that opens before your very eyes. Oh wait, just as I wrote this I happen to remember another: the Night Blooming Cereus, which I also have. It's a tropical plant and has dinner plate-size blooms (I'm not exaggerating!) I had pictures of that plant on my blog last summer and will do so again this year when it blooms.
DeleteI have evening primroses, which are not in bloom yet. I will now keep a close eye on them waiting for them the start shaking - 2 mins only. Thanks for the information.
ReplyDeleteThere are numerous varieties of the evening primrose. Some are night bloomers; some not. I hope yours are the same variety as mine so you can witness this minor miracle! Some EPs are pink and low growing and bloom in daytime. Those grow as wildflowers alongside the roadways here.
DeleteGreat photography,unfolding before the eyes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Judith! I like unusual plants and this definitely is one of them.
DeleteThanks for showing the series of opening petals. I don't think I've ever seen the plant but it must be magical to stand and watch it open. What an interesting garden you have.
ReplyDeleteDarla
Quite magical, Darla. I seem to be attracted to "unusual" plants. I'm out there again tonight to watch the show!
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