Conversations with a Moonflower - book review

Conversations with a Moonflower
Author:  Christine T. Hall
Published:  2011
Publisher:  Bonneville Books, an imprint of Cedar Forts, Inc.
Pages:  120

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  You may see my full review at http://shirley-mybookshelf.blogspot.com.

The plot of Conversations with a Moonflower centers upon the most unlikely of things, a plant.  Actually the moonflower plays a secondary role to that of Chris, the narrator and main character, but its role is vital to the telling of the story.  Without the moonflower, there would be no story.

Chris was presented with a moonflower plant as a gift from an Amish friend who knew the joy and peace of such a present.  Taken home and planted, the moonflower took hold in Chris' garden and flourished there. To her amazement, Chris noticed that the synchronizing of the opening of blossoms at dusk and the visits of neighbours and friends was becoming a regular thing in her garden and soon the introduction of a bench facing the moonflower was made.  Odd that it didn't face the front, but rather it faced the plant, but if you were witness to the display put on by the plant, you'd understand.  However, the moonflower offered to Chris so much more.  Her frequent visits did something for her spirit and mind, something she desperately needed and had desired for a very long time.  You must read Conversations with a Moonflower to see the subtlety of the message and the hope therein.  Then you will understand the miracle of the moonflower.

About the plant:

Oenothera biennis, moonflower, is a yellow biennial which blooms in the summer at dusk.  

Light:  full sun to part shade

Height:  24" - 60"

Spacing:  15" - 18"

Water:  average moisture

Fertilizer:  2-3 times during the summer, no later than August 15th in zone 3

Susceptible to snails and caterpillars.

There are a variety of plants that are referred to as moonflowers and Oenothera biennis may vary.

Instructions to enjoy your moonflowers (from the author, page 118)

"Place several lawn chairs in front of the plant about ten to fifteen minutes before the normal blooming time.  You can either sit quietly by yourself or invite a family member or neighbour to share the joy with you.  Pay attention to your thoughts as you sit peacefully in the twilight waiting for each blossom to open.  Breathe deeply.  Ask questions.  Listen.  After the plant has finished blooming, sit quietly a few more minutes.  Reflect on your blessings.  Breathe deeply.  Listen a little longer."

The following photos are courtesy of the internet:

http://www.bestflowerwallpapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/59751_primrose_evening_flower_3657264186_846099bf52.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Oenothera_biennis_1prg.jpg


In some garden centres, the moonflower is also known as evening primrose (which is what our local garden centres refer to it as).  The evening primrose is also available in white or pink as seen below, though the plant I have grown has yellow blooms.  It is a bit of a spreader and looks very much like the plant seen above.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Antioch_Dunes_Evening_Primrose.jpg

http://www.riverbendnursery.com/_ccLib/image/plants/DETA-194.jpg

Night Life: Entertaining in the Garden

“If a June night could talk it would probably boast that it invented romance.”

— Bern Williams

Summer officially arrives in less than two weeks - on June 21 at 5:16 pm, to be exact.  At this moment, the earth's axial tilt is inclined at its most towards the sun.  This is the longest day of the year.  Here in central/north Alberta, we are noticing and enjoying the lovely long evenings.  It's the perfect time to enjoy the garden, sit around a fire (when fire bans permit, that is), and just hang out.  As a family we love to enjoy the garden in the evening, to stay up on weekends and star gaze, sit by a cozy fire, and enjoy the gentle splash of the water fall.  

How can one enhance this experience?

1.  Plants.  I deliberately planted mock orange, snow in summer, hydrangea, white peonies, and Morden Blush roses for evening enjoyment.  The peony doesn't have much scent in the evening but the large white blossoms of Festiva Maxima mirror any light, brightening their spot in the garden.  The other flowers do the same, but the mock orange (Galahad Mock Orange) scents the air with a sweet orange blossom which reminds my kids not only of oranges but cotton candy. I would still like to add some Henrii clematis for their large white blossoms, and another mock orange (perhaps Minnesota Snowflake or Blizzard) with double blossoms near the deck.  If planting for scent, try the annual night scented stock (mathiola), heliotrope, evening primrose (pretty, but a spreader), annual alyssum, datura (angel's trumpet* caution - very poisonous), honeysuckle vines, nicotiana.  Some plants release their pollen at night thus attracting nocturnal pollinators, like moths.

Think light coloured flowers and foliage to brighten the garden at night.

2.  Think heat.  Sure you can add a chiminea or a firepit for that special ambience in the garden, but for effective heat on those chilly nights, try a patio heater.  Once only available commercially, now consumers have easy access to these propane powered heaters that are intended to heat a small area, like your patio.  A warm area in the garden or on the patio can extend your entertaining hours.

3.  Solar lighting.  Years ago our son, M, installed a nice little system that consists of a small (8" square, maybe) panel which is wired to a set of four lights.  The sets we have are intended to spotlight features within the yard.  We have a few focused on the waterfall and pond, one on a large rock by the pond, and some uplight a couple trees.  We also have a couple sets of solar powered lights which consist of a single lamp on a peg with a built-in solar panel.  Both sets have incredible longevity, as we've had them for several years now.

4.  Another thing to consider would be mosquito repellant.  While you can apply it directly to yourself. there are other means of keeping the pests at bay.  Try a few citronella plants in your entertaining area.  These work best if they are located so they will be brushed against which will release the citronella fragrance and oils.  You may also try floating citronella candles.  Take my word for it and shut off the waterfall before placing them in the pond. :0  Also available are citronella candles which can be sited in lanterns for safety.  I've heard also that tiki torches help in keeping mosquitos at bay, though I have never tried it.

Now, if we could only control the weather, we would certainly entertain outdoors more!