in a world

of white snow and blue shadow

my eyes are drawn to bright colours.

Indoor gardenPrimula, English Ivy, African Violets, hyacinth and daffodil bulbs - harbingers of spring.

Inspired by Carolyn

I couldn’t resist their cheery blooms or the price - $1.50 a plant.

But I have a confession to make.

My record with house plants is not good - in fact dismal would describe it accurately.

So when I brought these bright beauties home, a certain family member, who will remain unnamed, expressed some doubt about my ability to keep these poor little plants alive.

In fact, he told me that I had better take some pictures …

quickly!

Humph!

I’ll show him.

:)

with love,

PS - any house plant tips gratefully received!

Comments

[nikkipolani]

With my houseplant record nearly as good as yours, I've no tips to offer except that of the unnamed adviser above: Take photos... quickly :-) Love that snowy and blue shot.

[Lorna]

You go, girlfriend!!!!! (as Katie would say) :>) They are so pretty.

[ellen b]

Hee, hee. I don't do houseplants. I think you can understand why. But I will buy them for color and enjoy them while they last :0)

[kelli]

These are absolutely lovely!!

I was laughing the whole way through this post! I just bought some seeds and dirt in a bucket. They are supposed to be fool-proof, and if they don't grow, they'll send you new seeds free. Since, I have killed a cactus, I figured this was the safest thing to try. In fact...I got 2 buckets - sweet pea and lavender - and my girls are actually watering them! I'm guessing their thumbs are greener than mine:)

Hope your plants flourish!!!

[carolyn]

Hi Kathie,
I,m glad you were able to pick up some of those cheery little primulas. They do like lots of water and will go limp when really dry. Enjoy them now and if they don't make it to spring you will still have got your money's worth.
Did you read the book 'The Shack' I just bought it today and could hardly put it down.
Take care,
Carolyn

[tonia]

are these all indoor plants? it looks like you have primrose on the top and african violet in the middle?

around here - where it doesn't get as cold, i admit - we'd put the primroses outside in winter and the african violets in the bathroom or somewhere moist and warm. the violets don't like water on their leaves at all, so if you are watering from the top down on your stand, don't let the plants above drip on them.

i have an almost identical black plant stand in front of my house. :)

[Willow]

African violets like morning sun but not hot afternoon sun. Remember to water and give lots of fertilizer. Good luck!

[Susanne]

For that price even if they are temporary it was beautifully worth it. Alas I have no advice as my thumb is black. :v(

[lovella]

oh boy .. .I always find that primulas are very short lived in doors. They dont' seem to like too warm a temps. . .so I wish you lots of luck .. I so want you to win this one. But. . in the meantime you did some beautiful photos. I hope you aren't too snowed in with the next storm coming your way.

[Susan L]

Love that shadowy snow picture!

And I'm afraid I can't help you with houseplants. There's a good reason there's not a houseplant to be found in my home. Ahem. :-)

Susan

[Islandsparrow]

t - thanks for that tip on the african violet - I knew they didn't like water on their leaves but I didn't think of the others dripping down.

Carolyn - you're right - one of the primulas was so limp when I brought it home from the store that I thought it was dead - but it was such a pretty colour that I bought it anyway. I watered it and the next morning it was upright - as pretty as can be.

Willow I bought these little Miracle Grow fertilizer sticks that you put in the plant soil - I like the name of them - especially the miracle part - I figure that I might need one! :)

[randi]

I am the same with houseplants! It is good that I am better at raising kids than flowers! ;)

[Faith]

GORGEOUS!!! I don't really do houseplants for same reason although I have a beautiful English Ivy that is over 10 years old and thriving in my family room. Not sure how but it sure has been around a LONG time. flowers though don't seem to do well in my home!

[Home Again]

Thanks for sharing color. We may still experience the winter chills, but how beautiful to see the color poke through and remind us that spring is around the corner.....

[Bev Klassen]

Sounds like the same person who lives at my house. I think my problem is that when those pretty plants, are finished blooming, I lose interest. Some make it into the garden to bloom in spring, others, expecially those pointsettias, languish until they have to be thrown away. I have two spring plants on my counter right now - one still bringing beauty, the other ready to be planted. Will it happen? I'm not promising.