Garden Bloggers Bloom Day January 2011

– Posted in: What's up/blooming
16 comments

There is a nice blanket of snow on the ground and none on the roads. That’s the way we like it in cold climate country. We know we are not going to see blooms when snow covers the ground so we plan for ways to have blooms in the house. I’ve got some hyacinths forcing and it’s about time for them to come out of the basement. They don’t have blooms now, but maybe in time for February’s Bloom Day.

Happy Surprises

Then there are the blooms that you don’t expect, but surprise you. This frequently happens in the garden, so why not in the house, too? So I am pleased to report that my Thanksgiving cactus is reblooming.

Thanksgiving cactus

Don't tell this Thanksgiving cactus it's not Thanksgiving anymore

How does this happen? This plant hangs in front of my not-very-insulated kitchen window. It set buds on the colder window side. When I see this, I turn the plant around so I will actually get to enjoy the flowers when they open. As it turns out, it bloomed just a bit after Thanksgiving this year.

Then we had a warm spell, when all the snow melted away. And then it got cold again. Apparently the warm spell was long enough that it tricked the Thanksgiving cactus into believing a whole cycle of seasons had passed, and the new cold spell encouraged it to set more buds. And I, the ever hopeful gardener, noticed there were more buds, and turned the pot around again.

Buy Blooms

But what happens if you forgot to plan for flowers? Well, then you buy some. My husband brought this pot of sunshine home for me yesterday and it surely did brighten up my day, and every time I look at it, it warms my heart.

yellow miniature rose

This miniature rose brightens up my cluttered workspace.

I know some folks have success planting these miniature roses in their garden. We tried that once and the rose didn’t make it through the winter. I do know there are hardy miniature roses out there, so it could have been a problem with drainage or possibly that particular variety wasn’t hardy. I will try again with this one, if I can nurse it through the winter. But I think even cut flowers are a worthwhile psychological investment at this time of the year. After all, it will be March before the first snowdrops bloom, even though their tips have already emerged through the frozen earth.

image of snowdrops emerging from the earth

During our last thaw, I saw snowdrops poking through the earth, although this photo is from late December 2009.

Inspired by the words of Elizabeth Lawrence, “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year,” Carol of May Dreams Gardens started Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. On the 15th of every month, garden bloggers from all over the world publish what is currently blooming in their gardens, and leave a link in Mr. Linky and the comments of May Dreams Gardens.

About the Author

Kathy Purdy is a colchicum evangelist, converting unsuspecting gardeners into colchicophiles. She gardens in rural upstate NY, which used to be USDA Hardiness Zone 4 but is now Zone 5. Kathy’s been writing since 4th grade, gardening since high school, and blogging since 2002. Find her on Instagram as kopurdy.

When dealing with frost it is always best to be paranoid. In the spring never think it is too late for one more frost to come. And in the fall never think it too early.

~Rundy in Frost

Comments on this entry are closed.

Mary January 16, 2011, 5:33 pm

Nice to see a Gardening Blog from this area. Thanks!

Leslie January 15, 2011, 9:28 pm

I hope you can find a spot for the rose to thrive …maybe just a pot though?

islandgal246 January 15, 2011, 8:42 pm

Have tried the Christmas cactus and the miniature roses without much luck. I still keep hoping that one day my luck will change though.

Carolyn @ Carolyn's Shade Gardens January 15, 2011, 6:27 pm

No blooms outside with deep snow cover, and none inside either, but I really enjoyed seeing your contribution to GBBD. You need some earlier blooming snowdrop varieties!

Kathy Purdy January 15, 2011, 7:15 pm

Care to make some suggestions? I also have ‘S. Arnott,’ which does wind up blooming earlier, even though it doesn’t emerge as early, but it’s just earlier in March.

Rhonda January 15, 2011, 5:52 pm

I hear you, I am at that point where a grocery store potted plant would be most inspiring! Just may get myself one soon.

Kathy Purdy January 15, 2011, 7:15 pm

Go for it!

Dee @ Red Dirt Ramblings January 15, 2011, 5:03 pm

Happy Bloom Day Kathy. My Thanksgiving cactus is doing the same thing, and it’s also the white one doing it. We also had the cold, warm, cold spells so perhaps that’s why.~~Dee

Kathy Purdy January 15, 2011, 7:17 pm

I thought Thanksgiving cactus only came in white, and the other colors were all Christmas cacti. I understand that they’ve become quite hybridized.

Les January 15, 2011, 1:10 pm

Stay warm, enjoy your surprises and happy bloom day!

Cat January 15, 2011, 12:43 pm

What a sweet husband – what more could a girl want? Cheery, bright roses brought to her by her best friend!

Donna January 15, 2011, 11:53 am

Your garden and mine are on the same schedule, even our indoor forced bulbs. I too expect them and my budded orchids to flower for February’s GBBD.

I know you are always so very busy, but maybe you could check in at Niagara Falls sometime. I have been showing quite a bit of our winter weather. Not much else to show as you know living in WNY. You do have a very thoughtful husband to bring you potted roses. So much preferred to the cut ones.

Kathy Purdy January 15, 2011, 7:19 pm

I’m sorry, Donna. I haven’t been as friendly a “neighbor” as I might. I did stop by today, and you have a terrific way of presenting GBBD. I mentioned it to some of my friends.

Mr. McGregor's Daughter January 15, 2011, 11:38 am

You’re not just a hopeful gardener, you’re an attentive one to notice the buds. I’d probably never have noticed. It’s so cheering to have blooms inside.

Kathy Purdy January 15, 2011, 7:22 pm

Yeah, I was the kind of kid who snuck down the day after Christmas, just in case Santa forgot something the first time and made a second stop. Always thinking, “Well, it could happen.” So I keep checking those zygocacti “just in case.” We won’t talk about how many times I looked and there weren’t any buds.