 |
| African Violet |
YES!! I have blooms for this
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day! I was anticipating not a bloom in sight until I remembered my African violet. I got this freebie a few months ago at the Garden Writers Symposium. The Optimara folks had a huge display of all colors, some a bit gaudy for my taste. I gravitated to this one because it reminded me of the first African violet I tried to grow. I think I got it from my then-next door neighbor and friend Brenda, who had a whole lot of them at one time (back in the 70's when houseplants ruled, ha!). This has been a nice steady bloomer since I brought it home. And I haven't even fertilized it yet.
 |
| Little Women |
And here's another surprise. I got this Little Women rose at the same symposium from the Storybook folks. It was pretty teeny at the time so I put it in a pot instead of the ground. Plus, I wanted to keep it near me on the deck so I could enjoy its perfume. When the cold weather arrived I decided to try it indoors in the hope that it would bloom. Well, here you go. The guest bedroom smells lovely. I believe I will keep it in a pot since it's not supposed to get that big - only 24-30 inches high by 12-24 inches wide.
And can I be allowed just one aside? Remember all the baby greens I harvested last week? (See my last post.) Well, I just saw the goldfinches eating my chard and lettuce!! Is that the thanks I get for giving them nyjer and sunflower seed?! Geez. :-)
OK, one more aside - there is still snow and ice on our roof from our winter storm of last Sunday. This is the longest I've ever seen it hang around in the South!
Now, stay snug and warm and be sure to visit
Carol's blog to see what else is in bloom around the world today.
This post was written by Jean McWeeney for my blog Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog. Copyright 2010. Please contact me for permission to copy, reproduce, scrape, etc.
An inside rose - who'd of thought. I bet the fragrance inside is quite nice.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blooms and nice to have them inside where you can really enjoy them this time of year! Happy GBBD!
ReplyDeleteJean, your Little Women rose is doing better inside than mine is out! The Moby Dick rose, however, is looking good. Glad you have a couple of blooms for today!
ReplyDeleteI do hope it warms up pretty soon for you Jean, your spring blooms are just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful purple on that African Violet and yes a containerized Rose!!
ReplyDeleteHi, Jean! My African Violet I got in Dallas is blooming now, too! But this is the first it's bloomed since then. And I didn't get any of those storybook roses, though I remember seeing them. At least I don't think I did. We came home with so much cool stuff that I can't remember what's out in my garden now. I planted everything I brought home in a holding area of the garden until spring, since it was so late in the season when we got home. I love your 'Little Women'!
ReplyDeleteWhat beauties you have. African Violets doesn't seem to last here. Perhaps it is the climate.
ReplyDeleteAn African violet that's actually...violet! Now that seems so utterly right. I really like its color and simple form.
ReplyDeleteI never thought of a rose as a houseplant...how cool!
ReplyDeletejean, Your violet photo is so lovely and a rose in January! I am counting the days until spring...There are too many. gail
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely little rose, Jean! That would certainly lift anyone's spirits during this cold winter. Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteJean, what beautiful photos! We have a little more snow and ice here than you have there....but then again, we're a little more accustomed to it!
ReplyDeleteI am moving into my own house this spring, so I will finally be able to do some real gardening. I am so excited!
The rose photo is just exquisite, love it!
ReplyDeleteLooks like that symposium is worth going to! Those African violets and the Little Women roses look beautiful! A nice January surprise!
ReplyDeleteThey add warmth and color the a bleak winter. I hope you are keeping busy also.
ReplyDeleteThe 'Little Women' rose would be hard to resist for the name alone, Jean - but fragrance makes it sound even nicer.
ReplyDeleteThe birds take my seedlings, too - and also love to tug off pieces of herbs like thyme. I've heard they use it as a miticide for their feathers so I just sigh and buy some thyme at the store.
You stay snug, too ;-]
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Jean, I remember clearly when houseplants ruled in the 70s.
ReplyDeleteI bought two African violets back in May. One of them promptly died and then months later the second one bloomed beautifully. Your violet photo is gorgeous.
Roses blooming inside..sounds devine.
Sorry about your snow and ice hanging around, but at least you know it won't be there as long as it will be in Zone 4.
I love reading your blog! I so miss gardening, can't wait till springtime!
ReplyDeleteThat rose is a real cutie! My african violets are the only blooms I have and since they're on a window sill, they're cold and pouty. Sorry about your greens but it sounds like you have finches that are smart and healthy!
ReplyDeleteI grow african violets and have some pictures on my blog, am always looking for someone to talk about them. All my friends has one that I have given them. It is such a pleasure to see a smile on their face. My blogspot is http:// louise-spell.blogspot.com. If you would care to take a look.
ReplyDeleteYay!! African violets RULE!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I actually grew little mini roses inside before I switched to my African violet obsession. :-) Check out my blog if you wanna, it's ALL African violets, all the time! www.fuzzyfoliage.com