Christmas Flower Exchange

Phaleanopsis Orchid

(Love these polka dots :)

When people draw my name at Christmas, they're generally pretty happy. You'll find no expensive electronics on my gotta have it wish list. If it's blooming, and you give me one... rest assured I'll be ecstatic!

Lava Rock Schefflera

Nifty things in my stocking this year. Like this Uko Bonsai ~ happily growing, with roots exposed, inside a lava rock!

Luscious Alstroemeria

A cut flower who cannot be grown as a plant in my home. Do you know the story of the Alstros? A Dutch flower company hybridized these lovelies many years ago. They own the patents. The flowers are sterile. Seems the prettiest colors are only sold as cut flowers though some colors are available for private growing in the nurseries.

I've heard they're loosening up these restrictions and I sincerely hope so. Alstroemerias are so gorgeous ~ easy-growing indoor bloomers!

New pink AND white Azaleas! 

Karen's 5-Blossom Over-Achieving Amaryllis

These pretty new bloomers are all lounging in the sunny window, becoming great friends with Karen's Amaryllis. I call it Karen's because I grew this for her ~ started it as a bulb back in October.

But, we could not get our schedules figured out to meet up for a pre-Christmas lunch. So, now I'm not sure what to do. Because she'll be done blooming in just a few days.

I suppose I could give her a dead Amaryllis. After all, it's the thought that counts... right? :D

Screamin' Deals

They were having a sale.

I'm not nearly as psychotic as you might think. Been waitin' with baited breath for this sale. One gallon perennials, marked down to $2.00, all because most of them quit blooming. They're not dead. They're quite healthy. They're just tired of the cramped living conditions inside these black nursery pots.



My screamin' deal perennials will be planted into this long, ugly space
which used to be the ditch in front of my house.

And, soon will become a polka dot garden filled with bright, chaotic color.


I've got a big yard because I had big plans. Though I'll confess, over the last couple of years those big plans have become tiresome, overwhelming, and in spite of me doing all the backbreaking labor, too expensive. And, then there is the psychological aspect of doing this in Park City, Utah ~ a problematic little paradise.

Love it here. But so do lots of rich people. Most of whom have gardeners. When my next door neighbor's team of 5 gardeners show up and weed all day long one thought runs through my mind...

Would it kill you to buy an iPod?

They blast a boom box, with horrible music, that ruins my concentration. I suspect, though I have no proof, that lame loud music also impedes my flowers from flowering.

Oh, did you think I was jealous of his gardeners? Okay, maybe sometimes. But, I do sincerely believe: If you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself.*

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Birthday wishes go out to my Phalaenopsis Moth Orchid, who has now flowered for 6 long, lovely months. Though I've started taking all sorts of liberties with her care so she will no doubt die by the 4th of July.

* "If you want something done right, do it yourself" only applies to gardening. If you want to clean my house or cook me dinner, have at it!

The Lost Weekend

Kind of looks like she wants to eat ya, doesn't she?
Phalaenopsis Moth Orchid

Triple birthday celebrations made for a far too hectic weekend. Two humans lamented growing older but this very precious flower seems quite proud of her accomplishment. My Moth Orchid is celebrating 5 long, lovely months in bloom.

Mertensia Alpina

Pretty much everything is celebrating the arrival of springtime in the mountains. Tiny Mertensia Alpina ~ my most beloved wildflower ~ is popping out all over the place.

Meadow Phlox puts on a colorful show in the woodlands.

Baby ducks take their first clumsy steps along the edge of a muddy stream.

While I look sadly at my garden 'to do' list and admit I didn't accomplish a thing. :(

Phal Pals

Been tryin' to be good. Very good! With my Orchid care. She's in a nice bright spot. Gets a drink every Monday. Should I get the wild idea to meddle, there's a post-it note reminder on her flower pot telling me to: Back Off.

The Rules: Don't move her. Don't touch her. Just consider yourself lucky she's not dead yet.

I'm an orchid newbie. Haven't a clue what I'm doing. Though I'm firmly committed to keeping her alive longer than the last one.

That wasn't too hard to do. Knocked the last one off her pedestal the day after I got her. Couldn't face the disaster of that busted stem so I tossed her into the compost pile and remained in denial for months.

This big girl has been blooming for 5 weeks, now.

Each week a new flower joins the party. Seven passionate purple blossoms. Two buds to go.

I doubt I'll ever be one of those purists who tries to coax them into re-blooming but she is a definite bright spot in this long and dreary winter...


* Newbie observation: That long, weird stem of hers keeps growing and producing new buds. When I brought her home, she held 6, dropped 1. Now we're up to 9. :D

** My gal pal, Phal Pal, is a Phalaenopsis Moth Orchid. Allegedly one of the easiest to grow. But, then they've never known me on a good, clumsy day.