Dragonwing Begonia
So far, so good. The dragonwing begonia that I brought into the house last fall has survived and is looking very healthy. At least for now. It's sitting next to the south-facing patio doors, and when I first brought it in, it thanked me by dropping all those gorgeous orange/red petals. But I cut it back severely, and it shaped up instantly. New growth started and soon I was getting those beautiful blossoms again. Eric had informed me that dragonwings don't like any change in temperature or location, so that explained their initial response to being moved into the kitchen from the deck.
Photo taken in December of 2013,
but it still has a few blossoms here and there
Aloe
which yes, I do use in one of my soaps
Kitchen Christmas Cactus
Yes, those are white lights strung over the plant ladder.
I never tire of little white lights.
Yes, those are white lights strung over the plant ladder.
I never tire of little white lights.
The Prolific Spider
All winter long I've enjoyed the cheeriness of the dragonwing and the Christmas cactus (cacti, for I have a few of them), the spider, and even the huge aloe and jade plants. They give me hope that spring will come again, and with it will come daffodils, iris, bleeding heart, hostas, lilacs...and the warm earth beneath my feet.
In the meantime, I'll enjoy the plants indoors.
The first flowers in my garden - daffodils
My favorite - the purple iris
Bearded Iris
Pond Garden
Bleeding Heart
McIntosh apple blossom
My poor little Mac was later devoured by the deer. :-(((
Wow, it did me good to look back through my photo files and be reminded of what beauty is there, dormant, under the snow.
Looking for Spring
What plants are you looking forward to seeing again after winter? Did you order your garden seeds yet? I suppose there are some people already getting ready to plant. We will plant potatoes, onions, and parsnips early, but won't be planting most things until the first of June, and even slightly later for tomatoes and peppers.
I placed my order a couple days ago, and it is so exciting when those seeds first arrive. It's amazing how looking through the gorgeous seed catalogs in January anesthetizes one to the reality of what follows after the seeds arrive...work.
What are you planting in your garden this year? And do you have house plants that cheer you in the long winter months?
***
Cucumber Peel & Aloe
Natural, Handcrafted Vegan Soap
with...cucumber peel & aloe!