Bloom Day, March 2010

Outdoors the crocus and daffodils are just beginning to push their way up through the soggy ground - we have had several days of "April Showers" this March. Last year I wrote on my calendar that my first crocus bloomed on March 25.

My bee balm, several wild flowers and helenium are already showing their first few leaves. The neighbor's silver maple and box elder have blossoms just waiting to bloom. So does my forsythia - I cannot wait to see it this year. It is finally a good size and should be quite a show. I started it from a cutting when I left Maine.

Indoors my crown of thorns is blooming. It is yellow. Also, my little stars orchid. My little stars orchid sends out this delicious fragrance but only at night. Its scent permeates the entire room. I wish I could add a smellorama feature.

 

 Little Stars Orchid

And, most appropriately, my shamrock is blooming (though this picture is taken while she is "sleeping" - her leaves close up in the evening).

Shamrock

Bloom day is hosted (and created by) Carol at May Dreams Gardens.

Leaf Study

This past weekend I spent with my house plants (which I admittedly tend to neglect during the summer gardening season). Some received new pots, some were topped off, most received some organic slow release fertilizer and some were relocated (upon request - they do talk). It takes me awhile to find the perfect spot for all my houseplants. Hopefully, all will be a little happier. We'll see what they say. Anyway, during this major project I could not help but notice their different leaf structures and I wanted to capture that here. It's not always all about flowers.

The soft, grass-like blades of the Spider Plant,

compared to the stiff spikes of the Pineapple

(yes, the one I started from the grocery store),

compared to the even larger saw toothed leaves of the Aloe.

This variety - I am not sure of the name - has beautiful, lizard-like stripes.

There's the cactus with its hair-like, but sharp, spined ribs.

This one is much taller and "snakes" its way upward.

Even sharper yet, is the Crown of Thorns silhouetted here.

There are rounded, "fleshy" leaves such as the ones
belonging to this succulent in a foamy sea green,

and the emerald green leaves of the Jade Plant.

I have plants with needle-like leaves such as this Rosemary,

and this Creeping Rosemary,

and truly needled Norfolk Pine.

I have plants with "designer" leaves such as this Begonia.

This one looks "frosted."

Look at the mottling on the leaves of this Slipper Orchid,

compared to the green, rabbit-ear-like leaves of this Slipper Orchid.

 

This orchid is producing not just leaves, but kikis (baby orchid plants)!

Look at the large, broad leaf on this Moth Orchid.
It is striking next to the aerial roots.

Look at the lines of this Plumeria leaf - so sleek.

This Violet should "leave" you all warm and fuzzy.

(Would it surprise you to know that we had to rent a separate truck to move here just for my plants?)