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October 6, 2008

voila! my first orchid reblooms

Filed Under houseplants | 24 Comments

I AM PROUD TO SAY that I have rebloomed my first orchid, no big deal to many of you out there but something I had always stashed in my mind as “difficult” or “impossible.” In fact, it was really easy. Read more

July 11, 2008

begonia of the week: ‘dragon wing’ red

Filed Under annuals & perennials, hot p(l)ants, houseplants | 29 Comments

I HAVE SO MANY BEGONIAS IN MY CARE OVER HERE, I could probably do a ‘Begonia of the Week’ series all gardening season long. I’ve already raved about ‘Bonfire,’ and now I have to say I love the older but no less showy ‘Dragon Wing.’ Apparently I am not alone. Read more

June 11, 2008

‘bonfire,’ a begonia to believe in

Filed Under annuals & perennials, hot p(l)ants, houseplants | 21 Comments

I BELIEVE IN BEGONIAS for their cooperative spirit. Many possess an indoor-outdoor versatility, living happily with me (well, at least nobody’s said anything otherwise) in house and garden season to season. Even if I hadn’t been a Begonia Believer before, I would have converted instantly when I met ‘Bonfire’ (seen with a very old, very happy Javanese Buddha carved from volcanic rock, who seems even happier since ‘Bonfire’ moved in). Do you know ‘Bonfire?’

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April 15, 2008

a great new amaryllis

Filed Under cut flowers, hot p(l)ants, houseplants | 5 Comments

Hippeastrum \'Garden Supreme\' A CHRISTMAS PRESENT that didn’t seem to want to celebrate then or even well into late winter is now making quite a spectacle in my living room. Hippeastrum ‘Supreme Garden’ (common name: amaryllis) has been in full bloom for nearly three weeks, after looking for months like it wouldn’t even break dormancy. Read more