I am SO excited about this rather showy specimen – it’s been a LONG time in the making……
It’s four years since a near neighbour very kindly snapped two pieces for me from her Epiphyllum. It’s a strange plant (part of the cactus family, native to Central America) – not something I had hankered after at all, but I enjoy things that are quirky, and in keeping with the early buildings at Glenmore. And so I gratefully accepted the pieces & popped them, as advised, into a jar of water on the windowsill. They duly sprouted fine roots and eventually I had to decide where to plant them out. There seemed to be only one possible spot, and so I shoved them into the ground, near the smaller of the frangipanis on the north side of the house.
And there they sat. Like two pieces of rubber stuck in the ground…..for 3 years! (I wonder what on earth people thought?!!). Then all of a sudden, about this time last year, I noticed they were sending out new leaves – goodness – something was happening at last!
This year, those newly sprouted, lobed-leaves produced fat red buds, that eventually turned into these amazing blooms. There have been about 8 altogether – this is the last. The flowers are short-lived – they seem to last only a day. They have no scent, but they really are very special.
And so now I’m smitten! I do hope they get a move on & grow a bit faster!! And THANK YOU Pacita! I think of you every time I see mine or anyone else’s, and each time I see the word Epiphyllum! Now that’s what gardening is really all about…..generous people, interests shared….