Any type of new life at this time of year is encouraging. Even during an extremely mild January (for us), the promise of new growth, longer days, and warmth are so welcome. Indoors, in the sunroom, the plants are putting on buds and flowers and new shoots. The plant that seems happiest is Oxalis vulcanicola 'Zinfandel.' The hairy buds and full foliage are lush and happy.
The plant is spilling over all sides of its pot. In May, I'll divide it for potting outdoors.
Another Oxalis, Purple Shamrock (O. triangularis), has been a happy plant in the sunroom (and outdoors in summer) for many years now. It's a nice companion for the variegated English Ivy (Hedera helix).
Fuchsia 'Autumnale' is not as happy indoors as it was outdoors. This is my second year of overwintering this one. I might try a different spot for it, or attempt some stem cuttings to encourage new growth. But it's still alive and colorful.
The Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is not changing much, but the buds and signs of new growth are encouraging.
My two hanging baskets of Fuchsia 'Marinka' also are struggling a bit. (I've had these plants for so many years!) I think I'll place them in a different location and give them a bit more TLC.
But the plant that has surprised me the most with its ready adjustment to indoor growing is the Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya). It almost seems happier indoors than it did outside during the summer. What a joyful little plant full of new shoots of growth!
That's it for now. Dreaming about seed-starting in the weeks ahead...
Those exuberant signs of life would be inspiring any time but they're definitely encouraging at this time of year. It must be a joy to putter in your sunroom!
ReplyDeleteThe sunroom keeps me sane this time of year, Kris. Winter is OK, but I truly miss gardening for four months. The plants in the sunroom let me "putter" a bit, as you describe. :)
Delete'Marinka' is a classic Fuchsia. Hope it comes through for you.
ReplyDeleteGood to be able to keep your green thumbs at work even in winter.
Yes, I think 'Marinka' will recover with more sun and a little TLC. If it makes it through early spring, it will thrive when I take it outside. And yes, indoor plants in the sunroom keep me optimistic during the cold, dark times of winter.
DeleteLove these close-ups of life moving along, growing, and becoming something big and beautiful. I'm sure you must really enjoy having these to nurture and admire during the down time of winter!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tina. Yes, the sunroom really boosts my mood during this time of year. :)
DeleteHow fun to read this post, just after I took care of my 'wintering over' garden.
ReplyDeleteWhat is doing well.. lavender, mint, geraniums, lemon verbena and rosemary. What is not doing well, sage and thyme.
Interesting. I should probably try some herbs again. It's interesting how some plants perform better indoors than others, and some have good years and bad years. I think the cloudy days down here this January are having some effect.
DeleteThe promise of things to come!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos!
Thank you, Lea. Yes, soon the seeds will be planted... :)
DeleteI wish I had a sunroom! I wish our house had more windows and sun.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, the sunroom is fabulous. It's a huge part of what sold us on this house. You could add one. :)
DeleteNot that we 'needed' it, but the house I grew up in had a sunroom. With a sea view. We enjoyed that!
DeleteHello Beth, belatedly. Has your "extremely mild January" gone by the wayside? Ours has! Feels very Laramie-esque this past week, and the cold is to continue for the next. :( I got spoiled!
ReplyDeleteHi Hollis: We are still mild, but that will change next week...just in time to welcome February. Argh. It will be colder than normal but, fingers crossed, not too terrible. And hopefully it will only last a few days...
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