The Bells are Blooming

My orange Million Bells are blooming in profusion—amazing, since they stayed outside all winter. Though the winter was milder than usual, we still had some very cold nights in the ‘teens. The “regular” petunias in neighboring hanging baskets are growing fast; though I want them to cascade, I think I’ll need to pinch them back for more blooming since they seem to bloom on the stem ends.

It’s planting time! A garden center I’ve never been to is having a “Spring Opening” on Saturday. I need to put together a list of what I need—and don’t need i.e. already have.

Rain is coming.

While I Wasn’t Looking

As I raised the blinds this morning I was pleasantly surprised to find another red hibiscus opening. I knew that the bud to its left would likely open tomorrow but I hadn’t seen this one coming! What a treat! From its plant stand, the hibiscus bush is taller than I am with this flower at the very top. The nearby shelf is the sixth one up; I had to climb a step stool for this photo.

The oak pollen that I thought was finished is making our walks miserable. We need more rain to wash it away and to ease our moderate drought status. Lord Jesus, please glorify the Father by giving us rain—without trouble (see John 14:13).

Comeback

Last year’s white petunias are merrily blooming again with their newer Johnny Jump Up roommates. Most of them can stay beautiful for awhile before the slugs get them.

I’ve often read that stale beer is just the thing to slow down the slimy creatures so they can be caught…hmmm, you just don’t think of slugs being fast, but we’re not beer drinkers and there are children around who might get too curious. Or the neighborhood cat. I’ve heard of birds eating such inebriated insects and becoming a bit tipsy themselves--flying under the influence. No, a different remedy will have to be found. Meanwhile, there are plenty flowers for all to enjoy.

Today’s weather was forecast to be sunny with a high of 78 degrees but it’s been cloudy and nowhere near the balmy high. Brrr…I’ve had to put on a heavier sweater.

Quick Response

The lettuce seeds I planted a short time ago have already sprouted! They obviously like the warm weather too; the warmth seems to be bringing everything out early. I really didn’t plant them that close together; apparently my watering and God’s rain washed them together but that’s okay.

Though the mixed lettuce seed packets always show purple leaves, for some reason none ever emerge in my garden. I would really like to have purple leaves.

We enjoy salads for their nutrition, lightness and no-cook preparation yet it’s amazing how labor-intensive salad-making is in washing so many leaves. It’s worth it though to get really fresh and colorful food and for keeping heat out of the kitchen.

A Good Start

Spring is burgeoning in my garden too! Fooled by the extra-warm days the plants are growing like it’s early summer! A couple Sweet William flowers are blooming and the Creeping Jenny is eagerly running but I haven’t yet seen any purple Victoria Blue Salvia buds.

I’m very pleased that I won’t have to purchase any new plants in these varieties. Nor pentas or Angelonias. Nor Tropicana Cannas. Of course, the red hibiscus will go out too. I’ll have quite a garden already as soon as I can be sure it won’t get cold at night any more (it has been known to snow here in the spring); then I can fill in the color gaps.

Morning Peace

A red hibiscus (flower of peace) greeted me this morning. The buds start as tiny green knobs and seem to take forever to develop but once they achieve a certain level of maturity their growth accelerates. Once the roll of petals emerges, I can tell about what day it will bloom—usually in two to three days.

The hibiscus will need pruning soon. I don’t really like pruning but I would like more flowers. Maybe I can find a bright orange one at a good price this year.

In the photo you can see the pollen-laden pine trees through the window; other areas have pollen-dropping oak trees. Both kinds of pollen have covered everything outside for miles around. Even an aerial photo of one of our lakes shows a huge amount of yellow pollen on its surface. Reportedly, it’s the worst pollen “season” in a long time—maybe ever. I enjoy trees but I will be glad when they finish this cycle so that my eyes and nose can be at peace!

Mystery Solved

Alas, the seedlings I had hoped were new beginnings for my golden oregano were wildflowers of the weed sort. Now they’re gone to make room for the good stuff.



Life is too short and space too small to hang on to imposters whether in plants or beliefs.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NIV).

To Flourish

The prayer plant is blooming again. This is the kind of little white flower that I told you about that made the seed pod that dropped the tiny seeds that grew the new baby prayer plant. The flower lasts only about a day so the process is very quick—no wonder I missed it last time. Both plants are blooming; they must be happy.

That reminds me of the old saying that I’ve come to dread, “Bloom where you’re planted.” It’s plain that a gardener didn’t come up with it since plants grow well and bloom in good soil, light and water conditions. While they can overcome difficult circumstances, they typically don’t flourish unless they have what they need. God didn’t come up with it either. Jesus made plain in his “Parable of the Sower” that plants flourish in good soil, using plants as a metaphor for people who flourish spiritually when they understand the “message about the kingdom” and aren’t distracted by “the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of riches” (Matthew 13:1-23 NIV).

Good conditions grow good plants—and people. However, God has a different definition of good than most people and includes persecution for Jesus’ name but it does not include sickness or tragedy since, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8 NIV).

Parade

The light is already changing in the east windows as the white pear blossoms are replaced with spring green leaves. Sunlight still feeds the pentas, Angelonias and prayer plants from another angle though since the maples and oaks haven’t leafed out yet.

Since the air conditioner is finally on, we won’t need the fan any more for awhile so it’s back in its corner but the bougainvillea that surrounded it is still outdoors. The calendar says it’s the first day of spring but it could still get cold—but probably not that cold. More plants may go out soon.

Over the weekend, we saw lots of red-violet redbuds, yellow forsythias, and added to the colorful parade were the yellow-green beginnings of dogwood bracts, purple wisteria and the palest of pink cherry blossoms. A few pink or orange tulips joined in as well. Spring is definitely here! And though I’m sneezing through it, I love it!

Hothouse Varieties

Another potentially record-breaking high is forecast for today, and still no air conditioning. I know that some people don’t have air conditioning at all but often their dwellings are built for better air flow or they have a cool basement.

I moved the bougainvillea hanging basket outdoors in order to access the fan; it seems happy enough. Unless the night temperatures drop again—they’re currently in the 50’s, I plan to leave it out there until next winter. Bougainvilleas can be pruned in the spring so I hope to do that soon, making way for more blooms.

Meanwhile, the other plants seem to be enjoying the “hothouse” indoors with daytime temperatures in the low 80’s and nights in the 70’s or perhaps 60’s. These temperatures fit very well with the care guidelines for tropical plants. There’s often an upside to life’s inconveniences. And hopefully this inner heat will be temporary.

My computer is working better now. I’m thankful it’s not like the early ones that had to be kept extremely cool!