Houseplants everywhere

A few days ago I posted a few pictures of some of the house plants I have. Today I went around and took pictures of some that I don't think I've shared before. I have plants in every room of our house barring one area of the basement that is strictly for storage of holiday stuff. Not all of these plants are, "House plants," per se, as many of them go right out the door come warmer spring temperatures but during the winter they live in our living space. I try to be as creative as I possibly can when picking containers and locations. After all I'm a gardener and winter in Minnesota is long. Lots of trial and error over the years have led me to find the right locations for the right plants and all that's left is care- watering when they are dry, mild soap diluted water when there are bugs, and fertilizing about once a month... and enjoyment.

Staying busy

I've been keeping my thumbs in the dirt in the house all winter, potting up plenty of bulbs and even frequently adding new plants to various spots in the house. I thought I'd share some of the images.

Still waiting on a spring day...

This has been such a cold April. Record setting. The weather stat nerd in me is sort of enjoying it... We should have an average high of almost 60 right now, and we are still buried in snow- and still have more forecasted. We had a handful of days that teetered on 50, and were able to crack the house windows, but mostly, we've been in snow gear and coats and hovering around 40. I am happy each inch that falls puts a dent in the drought records, too. Last year was horrifically dry, and we need this moisture so much. I'm also excited that scientifically, these late cold temps are going to affect the bug population (less spiders and mosquitoes).

I've had to fulfill the need to get my hands in the dirt indoors and in my unheated greenhouse. In the greenhouse, as of yesterday (before last nights record low of 18-20F), I've had great success with lettuce and peas, as well as snapdragons, delphiniums, foxgloves, sweet william, blue fescue, hare's tail grass, hollyhock, carrots, penstemon and even some lily bulbs. In the house I've been potting and repotting houseplants, and finally getting grow lights on a shelf for seedlings (very fun!). I have delphinium, hollyhock, french lavender, carnation, coleus, rudbeckia, and snapdragon seeds, as well as caladium, fern, and dahlia tubers. Our living space is filled to the brim with houseplants & various plants for the garden I am planting at Jux99. I even tried cat grass for the kitties... my boys planted the seeds, and they sprouted under the lights very fast- we moved them into the entry hall on a dresser where the cats could find it, and it was chewed down by the next day. I added more seeds, and they've started sprouting, too.

I have also been making a huge batch or two of hypertufa everyday. I've started having pieces cured completely, just in time for the wholesale orders of hardy succulents to arrive at my door. I will selling the hypertufa (both empty and planted with sedum & sempervivum) in 2 weeks at Juxtaposition 99 here in Buffalo, MN. I was hoping to have this aspect of my contribution to the sale done a month ago, but the weather wasn't very cooperative and I'm limited on space-that huge greenhouse I dream about hasn't fallen out of the sky yet, go figure. I am hoping people can visualize how wonderful these little guys will looks when they begin multiplying. :) We know how hens and chicks do!

 

My kids have wasted no time indoors when they could be outside playing in the heavy wet spring snow. During and after shoveling the foot that feel this week I took a few pictures.

The temps are warm enough that the snow is melting fast, and running down our street in a tiny trickling creek. A nice sight!

See the snow went to the top of my rain boots!

 

My kids and dogs:

 

I heard a friend of a friends's facebook status was, "Go home, winter. You're drunk." Hysterical!

Color my world, indoors.

I have a lot of plants in my house right now. Tons. So many it's not pretty anymore, its just too much clutter. In just a month they'll almost all move outside. For now, some of the little buggers are blooming or just being fabulous inside. I thought I'd share, of course.
Plumeria, from my plant growin in California. My mom brought it to me on her recent trip.
Passion flower vine is covered with blooms. I gave this plant the tiniest dose of fertilizer and it goes crazy with blooms. It sits in my dining room window, and remained this healthy all winter there.

Red primrose and sedum 'angelina' in my bay window.

An unknown Oxalis, dainty flowers only open in bright sunlight.

Another forced Hyacinth in my living room.

Three pots of sedum in the window, 'blue spruce' and 'angelina'.

Bouganvillea, red. Now you see what all the hulla-bub is about. I love this plant. You can also see why its often called 'paper flower'. You can take the girl out of southern California, but the girl can bring southern California with her wherever she goes, even Wisconsin.



Variegated Angel's Trumpet, Brugmansia.

I grew this wandering jew from a tiny 3 inch clipping I took home from my mom's planter in California. I have since dividing the original cutting several times, and the result is whole plant, a gorgeous one at that.

Christmas Cactus is ready to bloom.

Florist Primrose still pumping out blooms.


Has everyone seen the Lowe's commerical where the whole world is black and white until you enter the nursery section? The man in the commercial is in disbelief and begins to stick parts of his body back into the B & W world, like his arm and even booty. After purchasing flowers the couple remains colorful as they leave the store. I LOVE this commercial, and while I know all nurserys can provide me with color, it makes me want to get in the car and drive the half hour plus to the nearest Lowe's.