Earlier this week, we saw the other side of this pond covered in ice. As you can see, the other side is quite different.
It may be cold but in the pacific northwest when the sun shines in the winter we all go out and enjoy those rays!
It's that magic time of year when house plants go on sale. At Flower World, which already has very low prices, a 40% discount is as alluring as the rays of the sun. If you ever visit Flower World, be sure to sign up for their e club in advance as membership entitles one to a 10% discount on top of any other sales. That makes this a 50% off sale.
The only house plants that really thrive for me are those that can stand neglect and fairly cool temperatures. If you want water on a fairly regular basis, you probably don't have what it takes to live at my place. Fortunately, there are lots of plants that have a fairly strong will to live.
These large ceramic Mason jar planters are kind of fun.
January always brings the bright colors and sweet fragrance of primroses. Every grocery store, hardware store, and nursery offers them as they are such a bright spot in this bleak season.
Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide' still blooming like there's no tomorrow.
Flower world is a 15 acre nursery with three of those acres being under cover. That's a lot of greenhouse space!
Ponytail palms (Beaucarnea recurvata) hold a special place in my heart as I got one in a four inch pot in high school and it lived with me until a few years ago when it got too tall for the house.
There are several heat zones represented as one travels between the huge greenhouses. On cold days, the tropical houses feel especially good.
Philodendron 'Pink Princess' is a temptress.
A vibrant croton. I have one that survives because it gets to live in the kitchen near the sink where it gets watered. Those in other parts of the house have a tendency to rebel against dryness by shedding all of their leaves.
I've killed this Cordyline. Here it is in bloom, something new to me.
Ludisia discolor was seriously considered for it's fab foliage but the tag says it likes to remain moist.
F.W. has a growing collection of Calathea. Too bad they need warm temperatures and moist conditions. More than one of these has made it's way into the compost bin.
Enjoying the sun inside. What could be better?
Succulents, cacti, bromeliads, and I get along just fine. Throw a bit of water on them a couple of times a month, throw them outside in the summer and everyone's happy.
Are you a houseplant diva or drop-out?
Walking around in a sunny greenhouse sounds marvelous this time of year. I've been waiting for an opportunity to visit Portland Nursery for their houseplant sale, but the snow has kept me home. Since I'm going to Portland on Sunday, I'll have to add that to the itinerary.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a magical place, Peter. I would have hung out in the tropical greenhouses, too. :)
ReplyDeleteThis visual trip around Flower World was almost as good as being there. I have a Calathea that got left out this winter that is going to be making a trip to the yard waste bin at some point soon. I've killed one of those large-leaved Cordylines too. My preference is also for dry-loving plants that don't mind if I neglect them for a month. I might be tempted by that Ludisia though.
ReplyDelete"... the sweet fragrance of primroses". Seriously? I never thought to smell them. I got 2 beautiful orange ones just before the deep freeze; no flowers left on either one.
ReplyDeleteWhat did you do with your Ponytail palm? Its my favorite house plant and its about 20 years old: I control it's hight with the size of the pot is in.
I love the turtle shot! Providing maps to the space marks Flower World as something very different than any garden center you'd find here. I still have quite a few houseplants but, like yours, mine too need to be tough. I've also killed my fair share of Calatheas.
ReplyDeleteI have not done house plants very much in recent years so it really is amazing to see all the choices. So many gorgeous foliage plants.
ReplyDeleteI'm no houseplant diva but I wish I was when I see plants like those in your photos. Beautiful! Thank you for the visit.
ReplyDeleteYou decide. I have some fake succulents on my kitchen window sill, on the north side, where nothing lives. I have four Christmas cacti that thrive on neglect and like living in the cold, dark side of the house, and I have one new pothos that replaced an old scraggly one. Verdict: no diva.
ReplyDeleteBut what did you buy???
ReplyDeleteJust a dieffenbachia.
DeleteIt's nice to watch house plants when is cold outside, you're right Peter. I like succulents, got one as a gift and it's amazing it doesn't need water, only once a month.
ReplyDeleteHi Peter, I love that Diffenbachia. I don't have much patience for house plants but I have a few tender succulents that I'm wintering indoors. We have skylights in both bathrooms so a few prayer plants and ferns seem to do okay. I'm so ready for the outdoor stuff though.
ReplyDelete