Fireworks!

Growing up in a country that had just lost a war that it started itself -- no, let's not go down that rabbit hole -- I just wasn't raised to appreciate flags, or colors of flags, or anthems.

But I do adore fireworks, both the bright-lights-and-noise kind and other, more subtle celebrations. I'm especially lucky this year because I get my own private show every evening.

In the morning, you just see stakes and sticks, and a few drying out leaves at the bottom. But then, around 6:30 pm, just as the sun is setting, the first blossoms open up.

Soon, the visitors arrive, bumble bees for one last drink, and smaller pollinators. If I stayed up at night, I'd probably see the moth that is the main pollinator of this plant.

 

But all through the evening hours, I can enjoy the beautiful white blossoms, standing out against the slowly darkening garden. 

(All fireworks photos are photos of Chlorogalum pomeridianum, soap lily, a California native that is easily 6 feet tall, completely drought tolerant, and covered with flowers for weeks in summer. Perfect for those of us who work outside the home and want some bright fireworks welcoming us after a hard day. Thanks for the blog readers who recommended staking this plant. It worked!)