A houseful


As my Valentine/GBBD offering to my friends, here are the highlights of the indoor blooming season so far. There is much yet to come in the way of tulips , hyacinths, and orchids and I'll need them. The weather remains (as is should; it is winter) cold and inhospitable to outdoor gardening. I must say that with all that I'm growing this year (40-50 spring plants outside of the normal houseplants), I spend a good amount of time tending to it all. Which is fun.



The hyacinths in glass vases are all in bloom, but many of the ones in pots are still coming up, as you see. This is Isabelle. The Raphaels in pots are coming up the slowest, but I think they will be bigger and better developed than the ones in vases. It's fascinating to observe the differences in flower shape, bloom time, and other behaviors in hyacinths.



I still have narcissus coming—probably more of these Martinettes, which have a lovely scent, utterly unlike any tazetta I've ever grown. The Grand Soleil d'Or, below, contrasts very well with these African violets which have been blooming nonstop for months.



Here's one final tribute to the pink cyclamen, finally fading after flowering valiantly since early November. GBBD is the creation of Carol/May Dreams Gardens., who, like me, is a strong believer in the rewards of indoor gardening.

Comments

Carol Michel said…
I'm definitely reaping the rewards of indoor gardening right now. Thanks for the "enabling", encouraging me to order more bulbs this past fall. I'm certainly enjoying the pay off now.

I'm going out on a limb stating that I think our indoor gardens are just as pretty right now as many gardens to the south!

Carol, May Dreams Gardens
Kathy said…
I am taking notes for next year. Martinette, Grand Soleil D'Or, and at least one hyacinth.
MA said…
Is Isabelle the pink shaggy hyacinth? I have to grow that next year. You are such an enabler. And I love it.
Everything looks so lush and beautiful that maybe I should rethink my winter "break" from gardening. I particularly like your wall color and the glimpse of artwork — really sets off the plant grouping.
Anonymous said…
Beautiful blooms indoors. Must smell heavenly in your home right now. :)
chuck b. said…
Wow, that cyclamen is really giving you its all. I like the Matinettes. So far I only have white jonquils blooming. That orangey yellow would be a welcome sight in my g right now.
OK, you have convinced me, I need some blooms indoors. Beautiful.
TC said…
I think there are a few different types of indoor gardening. You seem to really enjoy the forcing method of flowering plants indoors, and it's obvious you're a pro at it. I, on the other hand, am more of the green leafy non-flowering houseplant type of indoor gardener. Each makes gardening all the more alluring to those who might be considering joining our ranks.
Anonymous said…
Eliz, you certainly influenced my indoor gardening this year and much for the better. I love looking at your window borders. So pretty, and I can smell this from here (at least in my mind). Yum . . . .~~Dee
Gail said…
Well I must be honest I have not too well in the forcing bulbs department...forgetting to top up the water has been my downfall! Next year I will work harder...I love your blue forcing vases...and the 'drooping' flowers on the pink hyacinth are lovely. gail
Every time I see your indoor spring garden I kick myself in the pants for not starting one myself. Yours is so beautiful and I be that room smells divine. No wonder you work in there a lot.
You don't need anything blooming outside with such an abundance inside. Those are some hard working Cyclamen!
Unknown said…
I never met a hyacinth I didn't love, but these are exceptionally wonderful for the blue glasses they're in. I can smell them from here, Elizabeth, they're wonderful and cheering and now I want more in my house! Some don't like the fragrance, but I sure do.
Anonymous said…
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Anonymous said…
I planted those 'Martinettes' out in the garden so this is a very nice preview of what is to come. Why didn't I pot up some more bulbs? Next year please remind me again. Your indoor garden must smell delicious.
Jacqueline said…
What a lovely display. The smell must be intense. Sigh...Wish you could post that, too...

Old House Gardens is always a great source for info about forcing and for buying bulbs. Check it out: www.oldhousegardens.com. L'Innocence (white) and Lady Derby (light pink) are the easiest, but I've had luck with Vuurbaak as well.
Chandramouli S said…
I have never seen Hyacinths in person but all the blooms in many of our blogger friends' sites make want them. Yours certainly look charming. Not to leave out the Narcissus and cyclamens.
EAL said…
Thanks, all for your nice comments. If I have inspired anyone to try more indoors, that's great!
Commonweeder said…
Elizabeth - After comparing my pitiful GBBD post to the glories everywhere else, especially here, I am determined to reconsider all my windowsills for next winter. Thanks for the inspiration.
Anonymous said…
Hi EAL,

Thanks for stopping by and commenting today.
Dreamybee said…
Your bulbs are all so pretty! I've been hesitant to try any here-I have a mental block about the chilling periods required by so many bulbs. I guess that's what I have an extra refrigerator for-I should start putting it to use! LOL.
I'm not sure which are my favorite...you have so many lovely blooms!
Annie in Austin said…
Thanks for your advice on the pleasantly scented 'Grand Soleil d'Or', Eliz - your hyacinths look much prettier blooming inside than mine do trying to bloom outside in Austin!

Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Anonymous said…
Thanks so much for these pictures--you gave me a burst of spring fever. Your sense of color is especially terrific, I love those blue vases against the drab sky, and those hyacinth and daffodils against that orange wall. very inspiring. it is so grey out....many thanks. dominique
Kerri said…
A beautiful burst of spring color, Elizabeth! The blue vases really set the hyacinths off. Those Grand soleil look wonderful combined with the A. Violts.
Lovely, lovely blooms!
Jan said…
I am just getting around to visiting more Feb. GBBD posts! The list is so long I'll never get through it all:)
I didn't force hyacinths this year, but just yesterday, picked up a couple of flats that were beginning to show blooms. I had planned to plant them in my garden, and watch them bloom, and hopefully come back next year. Do you think they'll be ok in cold and freezing rain/snow that we just got last night, out of the blue--totally unexpected? They're sitting in their flats outside in my garden, under some bushes!
Actually, I have some flats of tulips that have the flower head, some don't yet have it--but they're all ready to bloom; and some of daffs. and smaller narcissus beginning to bloom. (I forgot to plant bulbs in the fall, so when I saw all of these at Lowes I decided to get them, planning to put them in yesterday). Ugh. This storm is messing up my spring plans!!! (I live in VA, south of DC).
Any suggestions on my hyacinths, daffs, and tulips while they sit with partial blooms, in snow and rain/sleet??
Have a great Sunday:)

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