Grandma B's Moonflowers Remain

We know it is spring when we all are reminded of Grandma B because of the moon flowers creeping and climbing everywhere on the property. In their proper place they are quite lovely. However, when not, they are downright pesky.

How did this come to be? We battle blackberries, scotch broom, tansy and other noxious weeds due to Adam and Eve's failures. When complaining about pulling tansy that was my explanation from the scriptures. When we battle the moon flowers/morning glorys we have to put the blame on Grandma.

When we were children our Mother read about (in either the Oregon Farmer or the Farm Journal magazine) a bright idea about how to make a teepee for us to play in. One would cut branches to make the teepee frame and plant the moon flower plants at the base. The vine would climb the branches and WOW...such fun! You could order the seeds from them, which she did. She gathered the poles and tied them, then planted the seeds. It did not turn out as planned. The plants grew but did not oblige and crawl where they were supposed to. Eventually the frame was torn down, but the plants never gave up.

Therefore, probably about 85 years later, we still pull them out of areas far and wide on the property. It would not be a surprise if the neighbors battle them too as the birds do well at scattering seeds.

Since her motives were pure (and creative) we cannot fault her. Hopefully all of her kin will remember her endeavor to do something lovely for her children as they continue to try to eradicate the pesky plant.

I am told if you google “vine covered teepee” there will be hundreds of examples that gardeners all over the country have successfully built.