My garden is currently "reset" on winter, after one storm dropped more snow in one day than during the entire month of January. I admit it's prettier, and the plants now have a white blanket of protection. I'm joining in Jim's "Six on Saturday" meme at Garden Ruminations, but I hope it's OK if I focus on my indoor garden in the sunroom...
I'm thrilled to see that some shoots of the 'Canova Rose' Canna Lily (Canna x generalis) are breaking through the soil in their pot. (If you see lava rocks in my pots, it's to protect the plants from digging squirrels and chipmunks when the pots are moved outside during the growing season. The rodents don't like to dig through the tough lava rocks.)
Fuchsia 'Marinka' (F. hybrida) is putting on more buds.
And there are plenty of edible Fuchsia fruits, too!
The potted Passionflower (Passifloria incarnata) vine that I bring indoors for the winter is budding. I have another Passionflower outdoors, and I hope it survived the bitter cold of January with no snow.
Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is full of buds, too. When open, the blooms are a beautiful bright yellow.
Purple Shamrock Oxalis (O. triangularis) is happy all winter in the sunroom. Its companion in the pot is variegated English Ivy (Hedera helix).
And the Gerbera Daisy (G. jamesonii) is the brightest star in the group. I have to smile when I see these happy faces.
So much to celebrate (in the plant world) indoors and out. Happy Six on Saturday and Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
I had no idea 1. that fuchsia had berries and 2. that they are tasty! I whole new appreciation for fuchsia! Do you get fruits on your passionflower? I had always admired them but only recently realized that they can often survive even our winters. Now I am plotting where I could put one. I think if I had a trellis next to the house on the south side if will be relatively protected. I have some posts meant to have lines on them for hanging out the wash, but I usually dry things on a rack indoors...I wonder how they would do growing up the pole and across some lines... The non gardener would no doubt prefer a trellis that is out of his mow path...
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth: Yes, the Fuchsia fruits are tasty, but not overly sweet. I usually give them to my hubby since he likes them better than I do. Re: the Passionflower plants, I've had flowers on them but no fruits to-date. We'll see in the future... Yes, I think your idea for a location to plant one makes sense; my outdoor one is next to the house on the west side, where it gets lots of warm afternoon sun. Keep us posted on your decisions. :)
DeleteYour indoor sunroom garden is lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you, March. :) It's great to have a place to overwinter some of my favorite plants, and a place to start seeds for the spring/summer/fall garden.
DeleteYour blanket of snow is really pretty. I didn't know about fuchsia berries. The sun room looks like spring, how wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI must admit, if it's going to be cold I'd rather have a little snow (notice I said "a little"). It's prettier and it protects the sleeping perennials. Yes, next time you have a chance, try a Fuchsia berry. ;-)
DeleteYour snow blanketed garden looks beautiful, Beth! I love the Gerberas too. I've never had much luck growing them here as their foliage always mildews but maybe I should try growing them in the house. I've yet to taste Fuchsia fruit and must remedy that :)
ReplyDeleteHi Kris: It's definitely more interesting than the brown/gray landscape we had for most of the winter. Gerberas are so cheery, aren't they? The foliage on mine is a little stressed, too, but it seems to do better outdoors from May through early October.
DeleteI do like Oxalis, I have a couple of different ones in my garden.
ReplyDeleteI love Oxalis plants, too. I think I need to get more. ;-)
DeleteI like your snowy photo, but I'm sure it's wonderful to have the sun room and emerging life. Spring is not too far away. Tina
ReplyDeleteHi Tina: Yes, the sunroom is what sold me on this house. It has full-size, sliding glass doors/windows on three sides. It stays a little cooler in the winter (even though it's heated), because we partially close it off to save a little $$ on heating. Yay on spring coming soon!
DeleteEvery time I see your purple shamrock I say to myself, I want one.
ReplyDeleteWe received another 4.50 inches of snow last night.
Carla
Hey Carla: That's about how much snow we've gotten recently, too; maybe a little more with more to come. I highly recommend the purple Oxalis...or any variety of Oxalis. They seem to be easy to care for, lovely, and grow very well in pots.
DeleteHave you ever tried eating the fuchsia fruit? It's not that bad but you need a lot of them. And here when I have 5, I'm happy. Very nice close-up of the oxalis triangularis and full of promise with this new canna lily shoot and those of the passiflora. I had tried to grow this one from seedlings, but it failed
ReplyDeleteHi Fred: Yes, the Fuchsia fruit is tasty. It's not my favorite, but my husband really likes it. Indeed, you need a lot of them to really make a decent snack. Thanks for your kind comments.
DeleteYour garden looks beautiful wearing its coat of snow and the sunroom, with its indoor garden, must be a very special place for you during the winter months! You have a lovely collection of plants in there!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Catherine. I admit I prefer a little snow if it's going to be cold anyway. The sunroom has a lovely view in all seasons. We keep the doors nearly closed in winter to save on heating costs, but it's fun to go in there to view the plants and the wintry backyard. I spend most of my time in the sunroom from May through early October. :)
DeleteYour garden looks lovely covered in a blanket of snow and your sunroom is bursting with so many wonderful plants! Enjoy them and soon we will be outdoors tending to the garden!
ReplyDeleteThe fuchsia and the oxalis tre my favorites- lovely.
ReplyDelete