It's about this time of year that I rely on the joy of the potted plants in the sunroom to lift my winter spirits and help me look forward to spring. Several developments have me optimistic for the growing season ahead.
This is the second year I've brought in a pot of Fuchsia 'Autumnale' for replanting next spring. It's doing well and branching out a bit with new growth. Over time, it has the most exquisite variegated foliage that changes with the seasons and the light.
Purple Shamrock (Oxalis triangularis) has held up for many years of indoor/outdoor movement. Its foliage is always pleasing to the eye. No signs of buds or blooms yet, but they'll follow in the weeks ahead.
This is my first year successfully growing Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata). I left some plants outdoors, heavily mulched, and I brought in the potted ones. The latter are sprouting new growth. This will be a fun comparison.
This is also the first time I've overwintered Lantanas. This one, L. camara 'Bandana Rose,' is a little brown around the edges, but showing signs of new growth.
My favorite Fuchsia, 'Marinka,' still has ripening fruits from the previous growing season. These potted plants prefer the humid, warm weather, but they're holding their own in the cool sunroom, after several years of this seasonal routine.
This Sedum hybrid was part of a gift arrangement, so I don't know the variety. But I notice it's budding, so blooms will soon follow. Yay.
Finally, Oxalis vulcanicola 'Zinfandel' has been blooming continuously since I purchased it last spring. The flowers sparkle when backlit by the sunny winter landscape out the window (first photo). And the buds, blooms, and foliage are all cheery, colorful signs of hope.
Love that yellow Oxalis. I did not know that any bloomed in that color.
ReplyDeleteI just can't say enough about my pleasure with the 'Zinfandel' Oxalis. It's hard to capture its true beauty in a photo. It truly brightens my days.
DeleteI'm glad you have plants to fuss over a bit during your cold winter season, Beth. The yellow-flowered Oxalis is delightful.
ReplyDeleteYes, the potted plants and the sunroom save my mood. It's fun to overwinter some of them. And soon the seeding for the annuals will begin!
DeleteBeautiful!!
ReplyDeleteMy forced paper-whites just bloomed. My husband does not like the fragrance of paper-whites, so it kind of makes me chuckle when he walks by them.
Forced bulbs are fun, too. I've always enjoyed them when I've had them in the past. Happy garden dreaming!
DeleteFuchsias are wonderful plants. Happy to see you having overwintering success with them. 'Marinka' is a particularly good one.
ReplyDeleteEven a snowy winter won't stop a plant lover from growing plants!
I really love 'Marinka.' I bought these years ago, and have kept them going. I haven't seen them at the garden center in recent years, so I'm glad to have these standbys. We haven't had much snow this winter, but just enough to protect the outdoor garden. Hopefully, we won't get too much in February and March.
DeleteSuch fun, Beth. We have a few windowsill plants back in Asheville, but no indoor plants here in Quebec.
ReplyDeleteBut they do make a difference!
They do indeed. The sunroom makes a big difference--with its views and its space and its bright sun on three sides!
DeleteGlad you have some green and colors during these dark months. That 'Zinfandel' is a cheery, lovely little thing!
ReplyDeleteThe sunroom (with the plants) is a blessing during the winter. 'Zinfandel' was a wonderful discovery!
DeleteWonderful! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, Lea. Blessings, always. :)
DeleteGorgeous photos Beth. The oxalis is a delight on a winter day. I have never grown Passionflower in or out but hope to try it this year to attract butterflies.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susie. I'm enjoying both Oxalis species/varieties. Good luck with the Passionflower!
DeleteYou have quite a collection of sunroom plants. We are adding a sunroom onto our house this year. Is your sunroom heated and cooled? We are having a heater/ac unti conected to ours I was wondering about yours. You live further North than I.
ReplyDeleteOh fun! I know you'll enjoy it, Lisa! Our sunroom is both heated and cooled, although we close the doors in winter to save on the heating bill so it's cooler in there on very cold days. We only use air conditioning when daily highs are above 84ish (Most of July and August). With our shady lot and air flow, it's quite comfortable in here with open windows in May, June, and September...and parts of other months. :)
DeleteYou have a beautiful winter indoor garden, Beth. I haven't tried overwintering fuchsias, but next year I think I will give it a go. I'll also look for 'Marinka' -- I Googled it and I can see why it is your favorite. P. x
ReplyDeleteYes, 'Marinka' is special, and the hummingbirds love it. Fuchsias seem to do pretty well as indoor plants. They're not crazy about the shorter, drier, days, but they truly fill out once May hits and I take them outside. Good luck!
DeleteWow! beautiful flowers! I have a Chinese money plant (no pix) and an amaryllis that broke off the main stem - and the flowers are still opening!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat. Isn't it great to have blooms during the winter? They and the foliage plants give me hope.
DeleteAlways nice to have some living plants in the Winter. I too keep a number of potted plants in the sunroom and put them out again in Spring. Makes the winter not feel so long!
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed. I couldn't agree with you more. Our winters are way too long, but the green, growing indoor plants bring hope.
DeleteTus flores se ven muy bonitas. Saludos.
ReplyDeleteGracias. Es usted muy amable.
DeleteWhat a fabulous array of plants....if I only I had a sunny room like that. But alas not!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to have the plants and the room. I think I would put some plants near the kitchen sink, too, but the cat would probably eat them. ;-) We close off the sunroom to keep the pets out of the plants. So it stays cool in there, but warm enough for houseplants.
DeleteBacklit sparkles are delightful. I enjoy the Oxalis we find on our hikes.
ReplyDeleteYes, the lighting can make nature look so fascinating. Oxalis are beautiful little treasures--the foliage and the flowers!
DeleteLantanas can be over-wintered? Really? Learned something new. I envy you the sunroom. If I had one, I think I would never leave it in the winter.
ReplyDeleteJeannie@GetMeToTheCountry