Monday, February 15, 2010

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - February 2010


The 15th of the month sneaked right up on me, which is rather unusual when it's the dead of winter.  Winter isn't exactly my favorite time of year and usually drags by at the speed of glaciers. But this winter has zipped right by.



The blooms here are pretty darn slim right now.  Not a thing outside that I can see, and that is part of the problem.  Everything is well covered by snow.  It's going to take awhile before most things see the light of day.  So the few blooms I have are all inside the house.

Usually, I store the Oxalis bulbs for the winter, but decided to just leave these in the pot. They've continued to grow and bloom under the lights in the basement.  Now that the days are getting longer, maybe I'll bring them upstairs and put them in a south window.


I love their contrasting foliage and the striations in the flower petals.  The blooms remind me of small hardy Geranium blooms - in yellow!



Crown-of-Thorns (Euphorbia milii) blooms all winter in a window with a southern exposure, though its blooms are sometimes much more pale than they are when it's outside in summer.  I really should cut it back so it will branch more, but I'm afraid I'll kill it if I do.

 

 


Finally - yes, only three blooms this month - the Dragon Wing Begonia hasn't stopped blooming since I brought it inside for the winter, not even after I cut it way back.  I can just imagine how wonderful it will be when I can return it to its spot, hanging in the big oak tree, this spring.


Its petals shimmer in the light, which shows how full of water they are.  These kinds of plants don't react very well to overwatering, which is probably why mine has done so well.  I keep forgetting to water it! I'm reminded whenever I start to see too many blooms laying on the floor.



That's it. No orchids at present, though one is fat with buds.  No amaryllis in bloom, but there will probably be one by next week. I'm looking forward to March's Bloom Day, when I hope to have some crocus and snowdrops in bloom outside!

Be sure to visit May Dreams Gardens, where you can find links to other participating bloggers around the world, showing off their beautiful blooms, inside and out.

14 comments:

Ewa in the Garden said...

your begonia looks so sweet - I love the texture of the flower.
stay warm!
happy gbbd!

chuck b. said...

Yeah, it's only 10:30 in California as I type these words. You're standing on the hope plate, totally safe.

Love that wispy pink begonia. So self-assured and relaxed.

Happy Bloom Day!

Nutty Gnome said...

That Dragon Wing Begonia is so lovely - I've not seen one of those before, so that was a real treat for me to see it in all its shimmery gloriousness!

I have a Peace Lily that works as my indicator plant. Once I notice it has wilted, I water all my inddor plants. It seems to work! :)

Layanee said...

No new blooms here and we have the same begonia with that shimmer. I love that plant.

F Cameron said...

The snow scene is pretty as are the blooms.

I forgot to bring in my oxalis like last year. We've had so much cold and snow.

Cameron

Darla said...

These are very pretty blooms..

Nathan (2af) said...

Really lovely, thanks for sharing. No blooms in my house. Not even our reliable begonia is blooming at the moment.

Jean Campbell said...

Begonias are great for winter indoors, so cheerful and always in bloom.

Happy Bloom Day.

Lona said...

At least you have some beautiful blooms going on Kylee.Things are pretty desperate here now for any blooms at all. The Garden Show cannot come to soon for me.I am just hoping we are not snowed in by then the way February has gone.
I love the pretty little blooms on your Crown of Thorns.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I love the Dragon wing begonia! I tried to overwinter a begonia, but I don't think it liked being inside here. You seem to be much better at houseplants than me!

Shirley Bovshow said...

What a gorgeous post Kylee. From start to finish.
Shirley Bovshow
GardenWorldReport.com

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I don't think you can kill the crown of thorns Kylee. Lop er back. Love the blooms.

Peg Wiggins said...

Lovely, and the macro shot of the Crown-of-Thorns is perfect!

My lipstick plant has been blooming since Christmas. I need to get my macro lens busy, I guess.

Kerri said...

Every bloom is precious to us at this time of year! Your 3 are smiling for the camera :)
Of the 3 oxalis bulbs I planted in the fall of '08 only one came up....and got crowded out by self-sown snaps and allysum before it could do much of anything. I kept thinking I should move it but didn't want to kill it. Next time I'll try them in a pot and bring them inside for winter, like you.
Love your Crown of Thorns and the Dragon Wing. I don't have either of these but hope to add them to my collection one of these days.
Winter does seem to be going fast...which is wierd, as you say.
Spring will be here before we know it! :)

blogger templates | Make Money Online