Friday, December 04, 2009

Festive Flowers


 Edna, my prehistoric Christmas Cactus, has been with me since my college days.

When I think of Christmas colors, I naturally think of red and green. Yet everything that's blooming in my house is a happy hot pink!

I'll readily admit that eleven months out of the year Edna (the Christmas Cactus I've had forever) is the homeliest houseplant I own. Her 12th month makes up for everything. 


This holiday season she's getting some serious competition from Snowball, my white Christmas Cactus.

And, this newcomer, with deeper pink blossoms, who gets a picture but not a name. Not yet, anyway.


I'm not nearly as crazy as you might think. I don't name my houseplants until they've been living with me for a good, long time. At least a decade.

Edna is so old she doesn't like to discuss the real numbers any more. (Hmmm... neither do I!)


Jane's Azalea

This kid's got a long ways to go. A gift from a good friend last holiday season. I'm not the fortunate one who can grow Azaleas outdoors but with a little luck and some TLC this young lady should decorate my sunny window for many years to come.

13 comments:

Iron Needles said...

One of my christmas cacti are blooming, too! Kindred spirits!

Anonymous said...

Mine just finished blooming and let me tell you, I felt like I had earned a PhD in 'Christmas Cactus' as I have never, ever had one survive, much less bloom, for more than a year. Aren't they pretty little things?...the blooms are worth the wait!

Azalea's indoors? Who would've thunk it but you! Awesome :)

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hey, Iron!
I 'biggified' my photos, per your instructions. Thanks for talking to me in the 'tech for dummies' lingo I so desperately need. :D

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hi, Bookworm;
Perhaps you're too nice to them. :) I toss the cacti and the azaleas outdoors from June through September. They love our cool mountain nights!

jan said...

Those are some lovely girls!

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Kate! Cute post! :-) I love Edna, and I won't press the issue (to ask the number of years). ha! Your other girls look great, but Edna's photo is a prize, though!

I've never thought of bringing an azalea indoors (why?)! Have a great weekend!

Carol said...

Lovely pink blooms... the light in your photographs is so magic. I miss my old friends ... the cacti! A loss I have yet to replace seeing yours makes me yearn. Naming your plants must make them feel quite special. I wonder if they recognize the vibrations. Carol

Noelle Johnson said...

I just love that you name your old houseplants. Isn't it funny how much we appreciate them when it is cold outside?

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hi, Shady -- I'm pretty amazed by Edna, too. She was a cutting from my Mom's cactus at least 30 years ago. She doesn't look the slightest bit rickety though that seems awfully old for a houseplant...!

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Thanks, Jan - Congrats, again, on your super fantabulous Craig's List score.

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Thanks, Carol;
That means a lot coming from you since your blog always has such lovely photography. Perhaps it's time for you to adopt a new plant friend of the cacti variety?? :)

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Hi, AZ - You nailed it. Without my indoor blooming things I might go a little batty during these long winters.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I think I need to find more holiday cactuses. I love the colors of all 3 of yours. I got my 'Naomi' after Christmas last year for a really good price on sale. It bloomed shortly after I got it, and is now almost finished blooming.

I had read your comment on my snow post earlier, but when I came back to visit the blogs of my commenters, I did have a nice hot cup of decaf Earl Gray next to me. Thanks!