Queen of the Night Amid Angel Trumpets

Last week’s rains spurred the growth of vegetation, mostly weeds, in our yard.

Dog fennel, dollar weed, sandspurs, beggar lice and a thousand other nameless weeds abound, spotted here and there by fairy rings of mushrooms. Our bromeliad beds sprouted and flourished. The flamingo plants we use as a hedge brought forth clusters of flowers. Rain lilies rise overnight. Living growth surrounds us.

Saturday morning Ginny and I joined some of our neighbors in chopping down some of this living growth.

We helped clear, trim and mow a two-block long strip at the entrance to our community. That’s a neighborhood beautification project we began five years ago.

When we returned home, we enjoyed a swim in our pool and admired the angel trumpets growing by the pool steps. Here’s a photo of Ginny amid the angel trumpets:

The huge white blossoms look lovely but the whole plant is a neurotoxin; every part of it is a deadly poison like the oleander you see planted along the highway. This tree dies back in winter but comes up larger every year and cuttings root easily.

The flowers set off Ginny’s hair — an angel amid the angel trumpets.

Then last night several buds of our Night-blooming Cereus opened. This member of the cactus family brings forth huge flowers which open, flourish and die in a single night. Light wilts them.

The common name of this plant is Queen Of The Night. Here is a photo of Ginny who also holds that title:

I snapped this snapshot about 11 p.m. so the flower she is touching has not fully opened yet. When it does it becomes one of the most aromatic of plants rivaling our night-blooming jasmine for perfume.

So, yesterday I got photos of Ginny amid the angel trumpets and another of her as Queen of the Night.. The flowers make appropriate settings for her beauty.

Saturday afternoon we discussed plans for our 39^th wedding anniversary.