Saturday, January 16, 2010

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - January '10

Here we are in the middle of January already and it's Bloom Day again!
Does the 15th of the month come quickly, or is it just me?
I'm not complaining though. Spring is that much closer (although it still seems a very long way off).



I'm very excited to have this glorious Clivia beginning to open just in time for January's Bloom Day.



It was a passalong gift from my friend, Marie, as was that lovely trailing Coleus behind it. She has given me so many beautiful plants.
Clivias are related to the Amaryllis and are cared for in much the same way. I kept mine outside on the front porch in a shaded spot during the summer, and fed it regularly. It's been living upstairs in a cool bedroom these past few months....until today when those lovely orange blooms began to open!



The Columnea is still producing its dolphin shaped blooms.



It's nicknamed the Goldfish Plant, but I think the flowers more closely resemble the shape of a leaping dolphin, don't you? Posted by Picasa



My little Palm is flowering again.



I love the shape of these flower clusters with their strings of tiny dots. Isn't nature amazing?



Among my Christmas presents from my dear husband were Paperwhites and an Amaryllis. The Paperwhites remind me of ducks at the moment, but they should soon straighten up.





The green pot holds the new Amaryllis and the other 4 are from previous years. The promise of beauty to come!
My lovely Star Begonia (in the red pot) has not been doing well for the past few months. Does anyone have advice for ailing begonias? Posted by Picasa





I'm very pleased with this Alternanthera (Purple Knight) that I'm overwintering. It's looking much healthier than the one I tried overwintering last winter. 



I think it really likes my hubby's plant shelves. Posted by Picasa



I love this pink Wax Begonia with the burgundy leaves.




This Bacopa is an experiment in overwintering, and so far it's doing well and even producing blooms. Posted by Picasa


In the cellar a few geraniums are blooming, but this one is by far the most enthusiastic.


Upstairs in a south window Geranium Belladonna is doing nicely.


The red cactus surprised me a couple of days ago when I went to water it. There are buds forming! It bloomed in the spring and now it's going to give us a second show!
Does anyone recognize the vine that is growing with the cactus? This cactus was given to me by a friend and I noticed the vine later. Her exact words were, "Do you want this monstrosity?" It needs repotting and is woody in parts, but is otherwise doing very well. The little vine really took off this past summer and even produced tiny pale pink tubular flowers.


Hannah was pleased to follow me around as I took photos of the flowers. The poor kitties are so bored being cooped up in the house during these cold, snowy winter days. But spring is coming! Posted by Picasa

While we wait, why don't you spend a little time (or a lot) perusing all the beautiful blooms on other Bloom Day posts all over the world?
Be sure to visit Carol of May Dreams Gardens to find the links.

Happy Bloom Day everyone!

35 comments:

Von said...[Reply]

Begonias like to be cool, hate heating or anything too hot.Could that be the problem? Greetings from Oz.

Anonymous said...[Reply]

Lovely blooms, what a treat!

Tabor said...[Reply]

I never have the beauty you have inside as my house, while reasonable in size, does not have enough windows in the sun. I did plant (a few) of my amaryllis bulbs a few days ago when the weather got up to 45 F so that I could fill the pots outside. Now they sit like dead bulbs taunting me as every day I look for some change!

Lisa at Greenbow said...[Reply]

Your beautiful array of blooms are such an inspiration Kerri. I have an abutilon inside this year after seeing yours inside last year. I have had that plant with the dolphin like blooms before. It is nice. Mz Hannah is so pretty sitting there in the sun. Happy GBBD.

CanadianGardenJoy said...[Reply]

Kerri girl ! I have never actually seen what a plam flower looks like , so that is a first for me : ) and I think you are right about the "goldfish plant" looking more like dolphins ! haha
You have so many lovely plants on the go .. and the cactus flowering again .. a few years ago mine kept doing that, but now it is so sad I really should try harder to keep it happy ;-)
Love Hannah being in the picture .. she is a beauty : )
Joy

Caroline said...[Reply]

Ooh, clivia! Lucky! I'm jealous.

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...[Reply]

Good job, Kerry! I didn't expect to see so many blooms!

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...[Reply]

I'm laughing over the shot of all the pots crammed together by the patio door. That looks like my patio door area (except I don't have that many plants). Clivia is a fantastic plant, one of my coworkers many years ago had brought hers in to work where it lived in an east facing window ledge. I'm holding out for a price drop for the yellow-flowered version.
Your Pelargoniums look so good. I think mine is protesting my failure to keep it properly watered.

Nell Jean said...[Reply]

Marvelous display! I haven't seen Clivia anywhere else this bloom day, nor Bacopa, nor Columnea. I hope your blooms this Bloom Day encourage others.

Unknown said...[Reply]

What a lot you have going on in your blooms, Kerri. I'll have to have a talk with my clivia, as it's not doing anything but sitting. Maybe it just needs a little inspiration, or maybe it's just behind schedule. (hope blooms eternal here...)

Barbee' said...[Reply]

Kerri, you absolutely amaze me, you and your green thumb! Many in your collection are unknown to me. Fascinating! Thank you for including Pretty Lady Hannah.

Annie in Austin said...[Reply]

Clivia! Bacopa! Geraniums! Columnea! Wow!

Kerri, you're living in bloomin' flower shoppe! You sure are taking advantage of your windows, your green thumb and your DH's carpentry skills... what a fantastic GBBD for January - actually for ANY month.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Anonymous said...[Reply]

You are very good at overwintering your flowering plants! And I'm drooling over the lighted plant stand your hubby built. I have my own hubby studying it for future use!

sweetbay said...[Reply]

Hannah looks so sweet and beautiful in your last photo. I love your Columnea and Bacopa. The Geranium is beautiful too and looks very happy.

Linda said...[Reply]

Spring may be a long way off, but it is definitely blooming in your home. How wonderfully warm and cozy they must make everything.
I just love looking at all your beautiful flowers Kerri. It just makes me sigh....

Needled Mom said...[Reply]

You have a full garden inside!!!! All look beautiful. I had no idea that the Clivia would bloom inside.

You will soon enjoy the Paperwhite and Amaryllis blooms. How delightful it is that you can enjoy such pretty flowers during the dark winter months.

Terri said...[Reply]

Some day Kerri you will find me on your doorstep demanding a tour and snips from all your plants!!!!

Gail said...[Reply]

Kerri, That goldfish plant is wonderful and I see both the leaping dolphin and the goldfish. I wish that we were able to bring more plants in, but Coal is a plant eating cat. Before long you'll have marvelous blooms from the paperwhite duckies! Have a good week~~gail

Sandra said...[Reply]

Once agin I miss Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day; probably because my plants are stressed out. Thanks for the lovely tour of your home/plants. Nice shot of 'kitty'.

Roses and Lilacs said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri, as always, I marvel at the beautiful houseplants you manage to keep. Even when I had sunny windows, I could not grow begonias. They require too much humidity for cold climates (anyway that is what I was told).

My Toby is going a little crazy from being kept in. He frequently makes a break for the door when I go in or out. Of course he chooses a time when my hands are full.
Marnie

Dig, Grow, Compost, Blog said...[Reply]

You have so many beautiful plants blooming right now! I'm jealous of your clivia. I've had mine for years and it's only bloomed twice!

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...[Reply]

Hi, Kerri;
Popped over to say hello and thank you for the sweet comment on my blog. Looks as if we have lots in common! I see tons of pretty indoor bloomers, here. Lovely photos and cute kitty, too. I didn't realize there was a Geranium called Belladonna - that's my horse's name! :) I may need to grow one of those! Happy Bloom Day. :)

Marlene Depler said...[Reply]

I have never heard of a Clivia! Thanks for sharing photos of this plant. You have lots of things growing even in the winter. I am pretty much a spring to fall gardener. I do have a few house plants but not many.

I enjoyed your Christmas photos! Is there any shortbread left?

Have a wonderful new year!

donna said...[Reply]

For sure the Goldfish Plant should be renamed the Leaping Dolphin Plant. No question about it.

You have a very impressive collection of houseplants and your Hannah is wonderful to "allow" you to keep so many plants inside. My Butterscotch would have them shredded to pieces in no time at all.

donna

Giddy said...[Reply]

Your indoor blooms are so colorful! I'm not much for indoor plants, but I do try to overwinter a few geraniums and asparagus ferns. My Amaryllis is patiently waiting until I get back from visiting the boys and grands. Then, I'll begin watering them and they'll bloom once I get them outside in June. Hannah looks so content.

Kathleen said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri! I'm so jealous your clivia is blooming. I was lucky enough to find one on clearance at Lowe's last summer. I didn't take it outdoors (I'll remember that for this year) but I did move it to the basement for a couple months this winter (dark & cool). Nothing is happening. boo hoo. I was so hoping for a big bloom stalk like you have. It's just gorgeous. You have so many blooms it's crazy! Doesn't seem like winter in your house I bet?

Reflection Through The Seasons said...[Reply]

Dear Friend Kerrie....
I was so pleased that you stopped by and left a comment for me. Thank you too, for the Christmas card... it is always such a joy to hear from long distance blogging friends.

I can well imagine your excitement at the bursting of the buds on your Clivia. I love this plant... I have several... all grown from offshoots of one I bought years ago and like your friend Marie, I have passed on many to friends of mine too.

Yes, I do agree the Goldfish Plant looks very much the shape of a leaping dolphin..... gorgeous colours that are sure to brighten up dull days in January.

Your paperwhites are a fun shape.... don’t think I’ve seen them before. You have so much in flower right now.

When we went away at Christmas I was very remiss in not moving a number of my plants from the window sills in the conservatory and temperatures dropped considerably and sadly I lost most of them.

What a beautiful picture of Hannah enjoying a little sunshine. Such a pretty gentle girl. Yes, our furry friends certainly know where best to stay during these cold days.

Good wishes to you and Ross. Stay safe and keep warm. Love & Blessings - Marion

Barbara said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri, when seeing all these beautiful blooming plants you have, I get the feeling of already having Spring or being in an exotic country. I know all this beauty needs loving care, but your "work" is rewarded with all the flowers you get. You and your husband really have green thumbs !!
Stay warm and take care!
Wintergreetings from Barbara

P.S. Your header is great!!

garden girl said...[Reply]

Wow Kerri! Nice indoor blooms going there! It's nice to see someone else who thinks wax begonias are worth overwintering. I felt a little silly bringing my little watering can planter in with a few cheap cell pak wax begonias, but it was just too pretty to leave to the weather. I've been enjoying the blooms and the shiny purple foliage.

Love the clivia, and the palm blossoms look like little strings of pearls - very cool!

Teresa said...[Reply]

Your plants look so great! I love my amaryllis blooming. It is so pretty. I also enjoyed my paperwhites, they bloomed for the holidays. I am curious about your gerraniums. Do you let them grow and bloom all winter or do you keep them dormant for a while? My mother in law used to put them in the attic for the winter and in the spring bring them out and they would flourish. She had some very old ones. YOurs look great now. Nice to hear from you and I hope the wait for spring isn't too long.

EAL said...[Reply]

Wow, bacopa and geraniums flowering inside! Good for you.

Merle said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri ~~ As usual I have enjoyed
seeing all your beautiful flowers -even in Winter. The little vine you had with something else , my neighbor calls it a Kennilworth (No,not the truck.) I have it growing all over my porch etc and we both love it. Such a nice shaped leaf and the flowers are nice too.
Thank you for your visit and I am so glad that you enjoyed the Digger's story. I believe there is an American version also with GIs in it. I agree with you and your husband that the brave troops from every country deserve our prayers and gratitude. Take great care,
my friend, Love, Merle.

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...[Reply]

Nature is incredible, Kerri.....and your creativity precious....and your Hannah - very endearing :)

Anonymous said...[Reply]

I love the photos of your palm flowering and I have a question about it. What variety is it? I have an identical palm which was given to me by my mother-in-law. A friend gave it to her and nobody seems to know the name. I would love to propagate this little tree which has flowered but I can't seem to find out exactly what it is. If I can pollinate it great, if not I can get another to cross pollinate if I were aware of the variety. Thanks.

Kerri said...[Reply]

@Anonymous
Thanks for visiting and leaving a note :)
The plant's name is 'Parlor Palm'. I found some information about its propagation at the following link:

http://everything2.com/title/parlor+palm

Copy and paste the link into your browser to visit the website.
Good luck!
Kerri