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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.

Monday, May 16, 2016

In A Vase On Monday/ Foliage Follow Up: Gifts from Special Friends

Foliage Follow-Up is hosted by Pam Penick of Digging on the day after Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day to remind us of the important role that foliage plays in our gardens.  In A Vase on Monday is hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden each week.  Click on the links, share in the fun!

This is a bit of cheating but here goes.  A couple of weeks ago was teacher appreciation week during which I was showered with gifts.  One of these, given by a coworker is this ceramic Croc.


Another recent gift came from my pal, Alison (Bonney Lassie.)  Her love affair with tillandsias ended and she asked if I'd like hers.  Still in the throes of the romance, I said yes.


A match made in heaven, right?  Okay, it was made on my dining room table.

Not a real stretch of the arranging skill for this one but it makes me smile.

And works perfectly here on a table in the greenhouse.  Tea anyone? 

Earlier this year, I purchased a Chayote squash to try but never did.  The picture below was lifted from wiki How to do anything.  Click here for their article.


It lived in the bottom of the fruit/vegetable bowl for a bit too long and began looking a bit squid-like, determined to fulfill it's reproductive objective.  Questions:  did the eggshell bear a chick or an omelette?  Will the squash get planted out of curiosity or thrown in the compost heap?

I hold it's destiny in my hands (Oh the power!) Will there be foliage or death? 

Speaking of foliage and death, back in November, I brought this lovely cryptanthus home from Flower World. Loree wondered if it would keep the pink/red blush in the center.  Through the dark part of winter, it seemed to be fading a bit.


However, now it looks like this.  Honest, it's the same plant.  Looks like it may be getting ready to bloom which triggers a color change in some members of the Bromeliaceae. On the other hand, it could be the increase on light. I don't know which cryptanthus this is so am not sure.  Do you know?
Beautiful foliage either way. 

12 comments:

  1. Hahha..the squash in a vase is priceless...!

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  2. Awww, the Tillandsias in the shoe are cool. Glad they found a good home. The squash is looking pretty weird, like something from one of the Alien movies.

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  3. Good thing I don't live closer or that cryptanthus might just disappear!

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  4. Three very interesting and beautiful subjects/compositions Peter! The squash in the eggshell is so great!

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  5. Both your vases are enterprising creations, Peter! That Cryptanthus is beautiful. I had a few in a terrarium I forgot to water for just too long - I hope yours has a better fate.

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  6. That cryptanthus looks fab, and doing well which shows your plant caring skills!

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  7. You planted it in a pelvis! Cool plant, cool pot. You are having so much fun in your garden, Peter.

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  8. It's hard to say what is more fun, the plants or the pots. But the combinations are great!

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  9. HaHaHaHaHaHa! BRILLIANTTTTTT! You could definitely enter this in our FRIVOLOUS category this week - makes me smile and smile. LOVE all of them.
    https://daffodilwild.wordpress.com/2016/05/17/frivolous/

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  10. Your posts are always so interesting!!!

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  11. R came home from the store with one of those Chayote things. We tried it. One would have to be mighty desperate to actually eat the thing. Much better for science experiments like yours. The Tillandsias make the Croc look like it is housing Hobbit feet.

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  12. There was never such a thing as Teacher appreciation Week in the UK when I was working...! What a great prop the ceramic Croc is - you never know when you might need one, like for this post for example! And even MORE props with your pelvis and egg shaped vase!! Delight after delight - and every week too :) Thanks for all your contributions, Peter - great fun!

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