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| Part of my succulent collection in my office |
Yes, it's that time of year in the South. Almost past that time of year - time to give the potted plants a little shelter from the winter temps. It's been relatively mild and dry here this fall so, of course, I waited until the last minute to deal with all the plants in pots. Someday I may get a greenhouse and not have to worry about where the plants will go! It turns out I'm not alone in the procrastination area. Tovah Martin, author of
The Unexpected Houseplant, has the same problem I do.
But her obsession with houseplants exceeds mine by a mile! This book, which I will give away to one lucky commenter next week, will cause you to rethink your old ideas about houseplants. At least it did for me.
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| Greenery in the guest room |
Martin talks about how she became obsessed with her houseplants, and I can imagine her home crammed with interesting beauties. She brings indoors some plants I never would have considered: pitcher plants and other carnivorous ones, jasmine, ornamental grasses, and conifers, to name a few. For each plant, she lists its needs and what to watch out for.
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| More succulents in the storeroom |
Martin even mentions those plants that she lusts after but which have failed to thrive for her (but if you insist, she'll give you some pointers). I do wish she'd discussed saucers a little more. I agree with her that plastic ones are not desirable but I personally have not found a substitute to protect wooden tops. The photography is gorgeous and inspiring. And one more thing - her writing is excellent, probably one of the best garden writers around.
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I anticipated and I do recommend it. I'm happy to say that Timber Press gave me a review copy and will give you a copy too. Just leave a comment and let me know that you'd like me to throw your hat in the ring. I'll have one of my cats pick a name at random by mid next week. :-) Make sure I can link back to you or have some way to get an email address to notify you if you win (sometimes folks don't put an email address in their About section of their blog, so if you don't, please leave your address; if I already know you and you don't have a blog, don't worry as I'll get in touch).
Now for a little taste of the last of fall.
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| Willow oak and blue sky |
This post was written by Jean McWeeney for my blog Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog. Copyright 2012. Please contact me for permission to copy, reproduce, scrape, etc.
I have a lot more houseplants today than I did yesterday. A possible freeze tonight left us lugging all kinds of tenders inside. It would be interesting to read her book. I always need help keeping things at their best inside the house.
ReplyDeleteWell, just toss my hat in the ring with the rest of them! I’m just getting interested in house plants again this fall and this book would probably have a lot of information I could use. :0) About the saucers, that’s one of my biggest complaints about house plants. Leaking on the floor and table tops. Lots of the saucers aren’t sealed so the moisture eventually wicks thru and they still make a mess. I’m not one to paint a sealant on them and they’re almost as expensive as the pots themselves. What I’ve started doing is buying clear glass plates from Wal-Mart and the Dollar Tree. They’re inexpensive and they match everything. :0) You know, someone needs to make clear glass flower pots! Wouldn’t it be neat to see the moisture of the soil and the roots growing in it!
ReplyDeleteMy living room looks like a greenhouse. I've been bringing in plants for the winter for quite a few years. Lemon trees, a bay tree, multiple begonias to name a few. It's a lot of work, but it gives me something to do in the winter.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, if you'd like to be entered into the drawing for the book giveaway, please leave your email address or some way of notifying you if you win. Thanks!
DeleteGood morning Jean,
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating read that would be, and I totally agree about the plastic saucers. I do hate them, but as you say, there is no substitute for wooden surfaces. You have made me want to do some 'clustering' in the house this winter, consider my hat thrown into the ring (if the UK isn't too far!)
I don't have many houseplants at all, just some plants that I overwinter in the house. But the fact that you have cats and houseplants gives me hope, Jean--I just finished picking up the begonia that my Toby knocked over again:) I'd love to see a copy of this book; maybe with some help, I could get houseplants to grow here once again. Love your succulent collection!
ReplyDeleteI just bought a house and I need some help with keeping plants alive! Thanksf for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteManda, please leave your email address to be entered into the giveaway as your Blogger profile doesn't have one. Thanks!
Deletemandaoverturf(at) yahoo dot com
DeleteI already have the book and I think it is terrific! I recommend it to all - even if you don't have too many houseplants. It is a beautiful book and Martin is a really good writer.
ReplyDelete