i present a few scenes from sunday's epiphyllum society show down in the palos verdes peninsula.
the flowers were dazzling.
i was excited to add some oranges, a yellow, and more purple/reds to my collection.
the society had unrooted leaves to start at home, or small rooted pots. i spent $29 and got 5 new plants. they like to be crowded and rootbound for best blooming so i'm putting them all in one pot in a nice shady spot in the back patio.
when they're not blooming, which is most of the time, they can be somewhat homely. i dote on mine anyway because i know at the end of a long season the fireworks show at the end is worth it. there's a metaphor in here somewhere related to dry spells, hope, wonder, life, and death. but i don't have it all worked out yet. it's BIG.
you want a cinderella story of your own unfolding in your garden, you start collecting epiphyllums. along with my knick knack collection and fondness for crocheted doilies, it's perfect for my little-old-lady-in-training program. ya know?
if you're in LA and want to attend an epi show & sale, there's one happening in a couple of weeks right HERE at the los angeles county arboretum & botanic garden.
Mary Ann: gorgeous fotos as always! Are the epiphyllums also known as Christmas Cactus? They look similar, especially the leaves. I don’t have much luck with my CC…if you have any hints as to their secret to blooming, I’d be grateful…you seem to have the “rainbow” thumb where these beauties are concerned…I’m in Northern California, about 1800′ so I don’t think I can leave them outside…but I do have a nice bright window upstairs which I may try if I can find some of these cultivars nearby.
I sure do hope you got one of those that are purple/pink on the outside of the petals and orange on the inside of the petals. Shit House Mouse! It’s purdy!
They are some gorgeous blooms, Mary Ann! You should win. I’m a gardner, but for the last couple of summers I’ve been planting wildflower seeds. I’ll post the flowers later on my blog. In the meantime, ta-ta!
Mary Ann you crack me up with the little old lady training. Wonderful photos and your sense of humor rocks.
Drooling Blossom Envy aka DBE
Honestly, you make me laugh – and I needed one today (as I shove my knick knacks and doilies behind me).
I collect trilliums. BUT only the ones that are not wild collected, as I think the wild ones need to stay in the wild! I now have both white and red trilliums and they are just finishing blooming. I love their big leaves and beautiful star-like flowers. They have a good spot in my back garden with shade and just the right soil. They are slowly spreading. (Rather like me!) I love them like you love your epiphyllums.
XO
Yowza! What a bunch of (exotic) beauties!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for taking us along! I can’t wait to see them when they bloom in your garden!
🙂
Your blooms are impressive Mary Ann!!! I can’t think of a better home for them than your garden hideaway. They are GORGEOUS!!!!!
I’m so jealous!
Ewweee! Pretty!!!
Your humor is such a shot in the arm after a long day. Thanks for the laughs…:)
Not to be a Debbie Downer, but Bill Maher keeps saying Cali is running out of water and I worry about your sweet refuge.
Oh My Gosh! Those Epis are breathtaking! Too bad they can’t live in our freezing winters (sometimes) or baking hot summer days. They rank right up there with orchids, IMO. Lovely.
Wonderful photos. I love these as well, I have 3 of them. Just marked this on my calendar, thanks so much xxx
19 more school days 😀
Gabrielle