An ugly, beautiful thing

Epiphyllum ackermanii

The Victorians called this plant an "orchid cactus." It's native to Mexico but isn't a true cactus, even though it has thorns and exotic, gaudy flowers. Epiphyllums are ugly about 50 weeks of the year until they suddenly bloom in this wild and beautiful way. They're tough outdoor plants, although I bring the pot inside before a hard freeze. This one has been shuffled around the garden for years because most of the time it's the last thing you want to look at or accidentally touch. Despite being neglected and ignored and completely underestimated, it doesn't care and blooms like clockwork each summer. A plant with a built-in lesson for us.

Is it hot where you are? In the Northwest, we'll be lucky to even reach 70 for the next three days. I wish I could open the refrigerator door and share some of this cool with the rest of the country.