Here are some blooms of tulip magnolia.
And ornamental cherry.
Both vases as seen on my messy dining room table.
And ornamental cherry.
Both vases as seen on my messy dining room table.
Showing posts with label Winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Winter. Show all posts
Monday, February 21, 2011
Forcing Branches III
Three and a half weeks after the snowstorm and from when I brought some branches in and finally they opened late last week. It took a bit longer than I expected, but the display is quite nice.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Winter Blooms
Some of my houseplants are blooming right now. I bought this cyclamen more than a year ago to decorate my house for New Year's. Typically it is hard to get cyclamen to bloom again the following year, but this gal might have liked my cold and shady laundry room where I kept it from spring to late fall.
This amaryllis--also from a grocery store--was supposed to be white and I was hoping it would bloom around Christmas. Oh well. I hope to add this one to my collection of amaryllis bulbs.
This is how my coffee table and mantel looks right now. The orchid on the coffee table was an unexpected gift from a neighbor recently.
Beautiful!
With all the blooming houseplants around, there's really no need for cut flowers. Besides, the branches that I'm forcing are about to come into bloom... I'd never guess I would have more blooms in my house in February than at any other time when it's warm outside.
This amaryllis--also from a grocery store--was supposed to be white and I was hoping it would bloom around Christmas. Oh well. I hope to add this one to my collection of amaryllis bulbs.
This is how my coffee table and mantel looks right now. The orchid on the coffee table was an unexpected gift from a neighbor recently.
Beautiful!
With all the blooming houseplants around, there's really no need for cut flowers. Besides, the branches that I'm forcing are about to come into bloom... I'd never guess I would have more blooms in my house in February than at any other time when it's warm outside.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Forcing Branches II
After a recent winter storm, there are lots of broken down tree branches in my neighborhood. Otherwise I would not clip branches from a live tree in winter, but since these, unfortunately, will become waste, it's a great opportunity to bring some branches indoors for forcing. Just place branches in water and watch them being fooled that spring is here.
These are from tulip magnolia. I took garden clippers and sniped some smaller branches for a vase in my home. The blooms should open after a few days I think.
I also have brought in a branch from my dogwood--it was also broken during the storm. Not sure if that will produce any blooms, but it's worth trying. Besides, it looks great as is.
These are from tulip magnolia. I took garden clippers and sniped some smaller branches for a vase in my home. The blooms should open after a few days I think.
I also have brought in a branch from my dogwood--it was also broken during the storm. Not sure if that will produce any blooms, but it's worth trying. Besides, it looks great as is.There's a big cherry tree branch down behind the church, but I have not been back to get a cutting or two from it yet. I'm sure I can force some blooms out of that. My own lilac also got damaged, but I have never had any luck forcing lilac, although I know it's possible.
Another easy-to-force tree that comes in mind is hazel.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Forced Forsythia
About two weeks ago a strong wind gust knocked down a heavy oak brunch and it, in turn, broke off two branches from my forsythia bush. I brought them in and put in the water. It's blooming now.
We had some snow this morning, but on my mantel there's a small reminder about the spring that will eventually come.
Other good candidates for forcing the branches are cherry, quince and birch. The latter will sprout small, fresh-green leaves.
We had some snow this morning, but on my mantel there's a small reminder about the spring that will eventually come.
Other good candidates for forcing the branches are cherry, quince and birch. The latter will sprout small, fresh-green leaves.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Nature Ornaments
We went to visit family in Cincinnati, OH for Christmas. One day while we were there, we went to Krohn Conservatory to see their beautiful Christmas displays. One of my favorite features there is a Christmas tree that greets the visitors right when you enter the conservatory.
The ornaments are made mostly of natural materials. As a kid, I used to make a lot of ornaments myself using nuts, cotton, straw and eggshells to name a few, so it's always nice to see this tree with no glitter and no shiny balls, but still looking so nice.
Here's one more picture for inspiration that will hopefully last until the next holiday season. Or better yet--that will make me to make some ornaments sometime this winter to be ready for Christmas 2011.
The ornaments are made mostly of natural materials. As a kid, I used to make a lot of ornaments myself using nuts, cotton, straw and eggshells to name a few, so it's always nice to see this tree with no glitter and no shiny balls, but still looking so nice.
Here's one more picture for inspiration that will hopefully last until the next holiday season. Or better yet--that will make me to make some ornaments sometime this winter to be ready for Christmas 2011.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Happy New Year!
Happy 2011!
With the cold weather that came in November, my activities and thoughts have been away from the garden. It almost seems that my passion for plants and gardening is in a deep winter hibernating mode.
On the last day of 2010 I received in mail an envelope stuffed with various offers for gardeners. From about two or three dozen only one caught my eye--a promise to grow your own mushrooms in the backyard. Would not that be cool? Can it be done in our climate? I will research it later... still plenty of time until spring.
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