The Lawn Man brought the bromeliads (and the Chinese Evergreen/Aglaonema sp.,) home from work a few months ago. His office did some remodeling and they got some new plants, so these needed a good home. Technically the bromeliads aren't blooms, but they're colorful enough to stand in, especially in January!
I started playing around with succulents when the middle girl was here over the holidays. (She loves them, and plans to incorporate them into her wedding decor in fall, 2012.) This one is Senecio Rowleyanus, a/k/a String of Pearls. I've never grown cacti or succulents, (except the prickly pear Monica gave me,) and am having a lot of fun with all these curious new plants. They seem very happy in their special soil in our south-facing windows.
OK, this isn't a bloom (yet.) This gardenia nearly died from neglect last winter. (It's the second time I've almost killed it. The first time, it was pot bound and not draining, so it started to rot. I rescued it then too, and it actually survived.) Although I've always enjoyed its glossy foliage, I wasn't really that upset about it's near-death the second time, since it hasn't bloomed once in five years. Although it looked dead, I cut it way back in spring, and put it outside. The Lawn Man must have thought I was nuts, because it really did look dead (for months, actually!) Towards mid-summer it started to sprout some new leaves, and now, it's covered with buds just like this one. I'm amazed it survived, and thrilled it's actually going to bloom!
Last, but not least, this is third month of bloom for the African violet. It's almost done, but I'm thrilled it's bloomed this long. I don't remember the ones I grew in childhood blooming for so long. There are other blooms here, mostly in the basement: fuchsias, pelargoniums, Diamond Frost euphorbias, Dragonwing begonias, purple oxalis, and some pale blue hyacinths that smell heavenly. I rescued the hyacinths from one of Meg's pots. Since they were dormant I wasn't sure what they were (or how hardy,) so I brought them indoors. If I'd known they were hyacinths I might have planted them in the garden last fall. It's ok though - I'm truly enjoying this beautiful sweet reminder of a dear friend in cold, snowy January.
Happy Bloom Day! For more January blooms, please visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens.
Hi GG,
ReplyDeleteSucculents are so great because they require little care. You are good that you brought in some of your outdoor plants.
Eileen
I have String of Bananas, have been trying to locate String of Pears. They will be nice in the wedding. Gardenias are tough plants. Have a happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteI have grown to love the cacti and succulents as well! Had no idea what the flowers on string of pearls looked like - that's pretty adorable. Can't wait to see the gardenia in bloom. Talk about resurrection plants!
ReplyDeleteThose are some nice blooms for January! I have absolutely nothing.
ReplyDeleteThe violets are always a pleaser at this time of year. We are buried in snow and my violets are happy as can be.
ReplyDeleteYour violets are so beautiful and really lift the winter spirits! Happy Bloom Day!
ReplyDeleteI love those bromeliads! And I'm jealous of your African violet...I haven't grown one successfully in years.
ReplyDeleteA great showing for bloom day! Thanks for joining in.
ReplyDeleteNo blooms inside or out here, but I enjoyed yours.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I think anything that's colorful qualifies as a bloom~Last month I showed a metal flower. I think succulents as wedding decorations sounds divine! Can't wait to see what she does~I hope you show us. gail
ReplyDeletealoha
ReplyDeleteyou have a wonderful display, i've never seen the blooms from these senecios - they are sweet :)
have a great weekend
Hi all! glad you enjoyed the blooms and pseudo-blooms!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to propagating and playing with the succulents Gail, and am sure I'll be sharing them during 'production,' and the end results too. It's amazing what they're doing with succulents in the floral world.
The colour of your guzmania is really special. We don't even have this colour here yet.
ReplyDeleteI am also amazed by your beautiful AV. It's my dream to have one to last for 3 months!
Any color is a pure delight this time of year. Thanks for sharing, Linda.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to have the hyacinths indoors to remind you of your dear friend, Linda. You can always try to plant them outside later. After visiting my daughter in Arizona, I've grown fond of succulents, too, though I'm embarrassed to say I managed to kill the only one I had here, an agave. I was so careful not to overwater it, that I think I may have done the opposite:)
ReplyDeleteThose gardenia buds look promising!
Are you kidding? That bromeliad "bloom" totally qualifies!! I love the colors. The string of pearls looks like strings of peas to me, which are better than pearls any day, in my book anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteYour African violet is so pretty! What a special treat to have inside in January!
ReplyDelete