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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

A Greenhouse Quickie for Foliage Follow-Up

Foliage Follow-Up is hosted by Pam at Digging on the day after Garden Blogger's Bloom Day to help us remember the important role that foliage plays in our gardens every day.  I live in "The Evergreen State" so there is a lot of interesting foliage outside but this month I decided to be lazy and share some shots of  foliage in the greenhouse.

Things are a bit crammed in for the winter. 

Spanish moss threatens to take over the world.  Because it gets carried off on the leaves and branches of plants, ladders, and  my head and shoulders, it stays in check a bit.




I've been fairly successful in keeping spider mites, whitefly, scale insects, and aphids in check this winter. They're still there but no major infestations or great plant losses so far (knock wood.)





I'm excited to start moving plants outside for the summer in a couple of months  and very excited that the Northwest Flower and Garden Show preview is only five days away.  Can't wait to see what fantastic creations the garden designers have come up with this year and to visit with friends old and new.  Will I see you at the show?

28 comments:

  1. Your greenhouse is looking really crowded! You know I'll see you on Thursday at the Flower Show Tweetup, but I'm skipping the media preview this year. They bring up the house lights for the Tweetup, so I thought maybe I'd get better pictures. But I'm going on Wednesday too, for a look around.

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    1. I'll miss you on Tuesday. You sure you don't want to take Nigel to work, do the preview, and then hit City Peoples? I heard about their grand re-opening on the radio the other day and am excited to see what they've done.

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  2. Take a lot of photos of the show, please!
    I can almost "feel" the atmosphere of your greenhouse on my skin! I inhale deeply and can imagine I'm there...

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    1. Will do. The show is always a highlight of the gardening year and the unofficial beginning of spring for us. Come visit my greenhouse any time, Rebecca!

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  3. When did you move to Louisiana? With all that Spanish moss, these photos could just as easily be a courtyard there as a greenhouse in Tacoma. What prodigious tresses! See you at the show!

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    1. After watching "Interview with a Vampire" years ago, I decided that a gardenia-and-jasmine-fragrance-laden, Spanish moss-dripping antebellum plantation might be just the thing. On my budget, the Spanish moss is about as close as I'll get but wouldn't mind if Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas, et al. dropped by for a visit:)

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  4. I spot a rustic chandelier that is just divine! (I must have missed it in previous greenhouse posts). How did you manage to keep the critters in check? Are youdoing something different this year?

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    1. The chandelier has been there for quite a while but maybe didn't get photographed. I fell in love with it in the yard of a thrift store and got it for ten dollars way before the greenhouse. It stayed in the garage and got moved around the garden but never really found a good place. I connected the wires and found that it still works so threw in some bulbs and it's now found a place.
      After loosing several plants last season, (cramped quarters really help pests to thrive) I resorted to using a systemic insecticide in addition to soapy water and neem oil on some of the more vulnerable plants.

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  5. Your greenhouse has quite the assortment of foliage and I especially like your mature cacti and succulents. I have gotten into collecting succulents as well, as they are very interesting and pretty low maintenance. Love the effect of the Spanish moss too!

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    1. Cacti and succulents do well with my lack of attention as does the Spanish Moss. I love tropical foliage but it usually makes expensive compost here.

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  6. Can you remember a time before the greenhouse? How it's changed your gardening life! And my gosh, that Spanish moss! Are you using a hose to wet it down? Also, your Agave 'Blue Glow' is outstanding! How long have you had it? Has it grown a lot? See you soon!

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    1. I can remember a time before the greenhouse and you're right, it's changed my gardening life a lot. I can't say that I miss the pots of sprouting begonias all over the kitchen this time of year. 'Blue Glow' has been with me since after we saw them in San Francisco at the fling four years ago so about three years and it has grown quite a bit from it's original four inch pot size.

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    2. Forgot. Yes, a hose for the Spanish moss, tillandsias, and everything else in the greenhouse.

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    3. Okay wow...that beauty started out in a four inch pot? You are a very good plant dad.

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  7. Sometimes I lust for a greenhouse but then I remember I couldn't take a break from gardening. Yours is stuffed full of goodies. I especially like the asparagus fern hairdo!

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    1. If you only have low-maintenance plants and dormant things in your greenhouse, it doesn't require much care in the winter. Things that want water are segregated in one area and get a shot from the hose every couple of weeks, the rest might get watered once or twice during the winter. You'd have a great time with a greenhouse!

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  8. I love these greenhouse posts! I wish I could walk in there right now. ;-)

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    1. Come on over! (Call first as it'll give me an opportunity to pick up the dirty socks and vacuum the living room:)

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  9. I adore your greenhouse. It's ten times as wonderful because I don't have to take care of it.

    Have fun at the show (and take lots of pictures for us far-aways).

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    1. The nice thing is that I don't have to take much care of it either. Plants are fairly resilient (or die.) Between the other bloggers going to the show and me, there'll be lots of shots!

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  10. Wow, what a wonderful plant packed greenhouse you have. So much to see and enjoy in art and plants.

    FlowerLady

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  11. It's a jungle in there...just the way I like it.

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  12. I don't know how you keep up with all of those plants in your greenhouse!
    Yes to the NWFGS. We're going on Wednesday.

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    1. They don't require much attention in the winter and get watered with a hose. Since the floor is concrete, it doesn't mind being wet.

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  13. A bit crammed! How do you walk through there without getting stabbed? I'd like to note that the bust with the asparagus fern on his head spooks me every time I see it - it looks just like my brother (although my brother doesn't have a fern on his head, at least not the last time I saw him).

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  14. There is some mystery in your green house....
    See you at the Show!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.