Happy Easter
Author: Flower Roberts
Spring Easter Cactus
This little bloomer is from the forests of Mexico and South America.
It needs porous soil and indirect light.
The simple, pink, tubular flowers open during the day and close at dusk.
The buds just began to open this week, though they have been fully formed for weeks.
Its name is Rhipsalidopsis. Its leaf sections look similar to Schlumbergera except there are no points.
Happy Easter
FLOWER
Two Tiny Treasures
I love tiny plants. They are perfect for planting in troughs and my fairy garden.
Here are two of my favorites.
Ledebouria cooperi ‘Jessop’ has tiny bulbs.
The leaves have copper stripes. Its blooms are a lovely lavender. Its buds look like grape clusters.
The other little lovely is a Delosperma/Ice Plant named ‘Fire Spinner.’
It is just starting to bloom. Soon this patch will be glowing in the sun.
It really does look like it is on fire.
Both of these plants are easy to grow. I have planted them in numerous places in my gardens. They like sun and well-drained soil. All are growing happily.
FLOWER
Bonus Blooms
A good Amaryllis/Hippeastrum bulb will bloom twice.
If you peek in the boxes from most “big box” stores the contents look like half a bulb because they split them.
My replacement Exotica bulb sent up a stalk of the usual four blooms last month.
It has bloomed another time with six blooms on the second stalk.
Really lovely colors, markings and shapes.
This one’s a keeper.
FLOWER
There’s a New Queen in Town
The results of the Spring Queen Weed contest were quite a surprise.
I never thought I’d see a nettle dethroned of the title.
This is not an event to be celebrated, however.
The dominant weed this year is a totally new species.
I kept asking myself, “Did you plant these seeds by accident?”
After discovering their presence EVERYWHERE, I concluded that was impossible.
How could thousands of Sweet Pea seeds suddenly appear?
Well they did. So without a doubt the 2017 Weed Queen is the Sweet Pea.
Not so sweet.
WEEDER
My First Love was Leaves
I have not always been the FLOWER.
My first love was leaves. I collected leaves. Pressed leaves into pictures. Made stationery with embedded leaves…
In my home there are leaves on the rugs and floor clothes and walls and sofas…
So today I want to share an unusual leaf.
I have been watching this plant grow for months.
It was a gift from ” My Friend the Fairy.” (See post. She is adorable)
The plant is a “Queen of the Night” , “Night Blooming Cereus” or Epiphyllum oxypetallum.
Its nickname is also Gooseneck cactus. Now I know why. One leaf decided it needed to be longer. So it added another lobe on the tip.
This stem and leaf first looked like a rising cobra’s head several months ago.
It elongated and has now sprouted side leaflets.
The leaves are very thick and the venation is visually absent,
except for the midrib seen underneath.
The midrib sends vein offshoots to each leaflet.
The underside of the main leaf has rootlets which is typical of an epiphyte.
Lastly, I would like to include a photo that those who know me will appreciate.
Photo shoot carnage. Positioning leaves lead to a spill. Another mess. I wonder what punishment will be bestowed upon me by my facedown fairy godmother. She’s mean.
The Queen only blooms once every couple of years, so I will enjoy its leaves in the meantime.
FLOWER
Hare Hormones
Poor Charlotte has gone through another false pregnancy.
This second round lacked the crazy fervor of last spring’s nesting.
There has been less fur pulling and growling.
Barley has been allowed inside the nest for napping.
I have sent them both out on this windy day to clean up the nest.
It was built behind the carriers under a table.
I will be putting a cleaner version back in that spot with timothy hay and rags.
I hope I did not clean up the nest too soon. There was quite a bit of spying going on through the window during the cleaning.
Another little critter is nesting. This Chickadee was very pleased to pluck hair from the rabbit rugs that were hanging out for airing.
FLOWER/Bunny Mama
Fragrant Viburnum
This lovely Viburnum X juddii it too far from the house to get babied, so it is not much to look at.
But I make myself walk all the way down the hill when I see the blooms, because the aroma is fabulous.
One sniff is never enough. I stand around the shrub sniffing multiple blooms.
The buds are bright pink and open as blushing pink.
I am always glad to see and smell the blooms.
FLOWER
You Go Ahead On
You go on to that meeting,
I’ll stay here with the baby.
You go ahead on to work,
I’ll stay here with the children.
You go ahead on to the Y,
I’ll stay here with the laundry.
You go ahead on to that race,
I’ll stay here with the sick one.
You go ahead on to church,
I’ll stay here with these dishes.
You go ahead on with what you’re doing,
I’ll stay here with the weeds.
You go ahead on on that trip,
I’ll stay here with the dogs.
You go ahead on and on and on,
I may be here, but I’m all ready gone.
floweralley 