I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
The weekend before Thanksgiving, I got my indoor bulbs going. As a kid, part of Christmas decorating meant sticking plastic holly and poinsettias all over the house. It's amazing how just a few sprouting bulbs placed around the house can easily replace most holiday decorations and bring each room to life.
Here I've started paperwhites in a trio of McCoy planters in the Greek Key pattern.
I've also started a few amaryllis in my turquoise McCoy planters. The front planter is the Daisies pattern and the back one is Sand Dollar, often referred to as the Necco Wafer pattern.
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| Photo: Wikipedia |
Not only are Necco wafer candies nostalgic as a treat from my childhood,
the Necco wafer factory was just a few blocks from my house.
It's nice to keep a record of the amaryllis you're growing so you
can search out those favorite varieties the next year.
My favorite from last year was this La Paz.
This year I thought I would try a few new ones called Picotee and Lemon Star.
I'll show what they look like when they bloom.
The flowers are always something to look forward to as we head in to winter. And I'll probably pick up some more to start in a few weeks so I have greenery and blooms through most of the winter.
This is always a great idea during the dreary winter months. I miss the flowers of summer!
ReplyDeleteOooooh. Reminder! I am late, need to get mine going asap!
ReplyDeletePerfect idea for me today . . . Thank you . . . I have some McCoy and a few White Hull pieces to use . . . Paper Whites, (love the fragrance), Amayrillis and my outdoor Hibiscus blooming indoors, large vases of cedar, pine and fir . . . perfect!
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ReplyDeleteLove this. I'm all about simplifying this season and this is a great project that adds a little life to the room.
Phyllis,
ReplyDeleteAmaryllis are really easy. The bulbs seem to have enough resources in them that the flowers will almost bloom without even planting them. Whether planted in soil or just decorative stones, just add water. I've read that by planting them in soil and/or fertilizer though, the bulbs will be recharged so they can be forced next year. The moss I added looked beautiful but the bulb got moldy underneath. I wouldn't recommend adding the moss unless you're adding it to dress them up for a holiday dinner or party.
I'm so glad you put your McCoy pottery to good use. As my mother would say, "The best is barely good enough!" Your amaryllis photo is handsome enough to turn into a greeting card — appropriate for several holidays.
ReplyDeleteYou know I love my McCoy and I have many of the same pieces you do. They are such a cheery way to showcase forced bulbs, aren't they?
ReplyDeletexo
Claudia
I have never actually tried forcing bulbs. I know it is fairly simple but I am the grim reaper to houseplants so I am a bit afraid. They are so pretty though.
ReplyDeleteHow pretty. I must have a plant like that. I see them in the store but have yet to try one. Nice blog.
ReplyDeleteThe amaryllis reminds me of my grandmother's kitchen. Ahh such nice memories simply using a photo.
ReplyDeleteLove the satisfaction I get from these blooms. I've only done it twice, I didn't know you could reforce them the following year! I can't wait to see yours in full bloom!
ReplyDeleteFar better than tinsel!
ReplyDeleteI only do paper whites... now I think I need to branch out... going to try other varieties this year. thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteMy Christmas decorating is pretty subtle - so subtle, in fact, that most people would say I haven't decorated at all! I have an urn full of pine cones and a bare vine wreath in the living room, a tiny chili pepper wreath in the kitchen and paperwhites in an urn in the bedroom. I'll replace the paperwhites as they die. And that's about it. No glitz for this girl!
ReplyDeleteThese are really pretty-but Amaryllis have no scent, and paper-whites make me gag. I'm sure it's anti-American, LOL, but I am really sensitive to that heady scent, and not in a good way.
ReplyDeleteI think having indoor bulbs/flowers/terrariums is a necessity when people live in a cold climate, and gardening slows to a crawl.
C'mon, SPRING!
Your amaryllis are absolutely beautiful - I had some and took them down to Florida and planted them in the garden - they haven't flowered again but I am hoping!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm drooling over your turquoise McCoy planters. As you may know from my blog, I collect McCoy pottery. I have one of the ivory Greek key pots, and I know what I'm going to do with it! I'm heading to the store to buy some bulbs right now. You wrote last year that adding some gin (or other alcohol) to the water stunts the growth don't the plants don't get too leggy, correct?
ReplyDeleteClaudia
Hey Steve - Love those McCoy pots with the Greek Key! Even the saucers are handsome! I've started a couple amaryllis bulbs.....Red Lions. I'm looking forward to their gorgeous velvety red color. Last year I had amaryllis Naranja....more orange-red.
ReplyDeleteLoi
Hi! Loving those pots! Youve inspired me to get some paperwhites tomorrow :)
ReplyDeleteyou love that Greek key! Your McCoy pots are so cute, and perfect for bulbs.
ReplyDeleteExcellant BULBS it's been years since I planted indoor bulbs! Thanks for reminding just how beautiful they are!
ReplyDeleteHa! Funny to find this post!
ReplyDeleteI've just spent the day cutting and deadheading some plants that I brought in from my garden last month. One's a Honeysuckle and I have a couple of Geraniums and several houseplants that grew HUGE on the patio over the summer.
Hmmm. Now I'm thinking I should try some amaryllis bulbs.
How nice that would be! A garden inside!
Yes I was drooling over paperwhites already in bulb this morning. I think I need to get going.
ReplyDeleteThe bright owl blog recommended your blog and I am not dissapointed! Can't wait to check it out more.
ReplyDeleteChristy
Oh - I love the way they look but I never think to plant them. Til' I see your posts that is! Enjoyed seeing pics of your house and the interview in Country Living this month!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't done paperwhites for a few years, and you've inspired me. The McCoy planters are perfect for them! I never heard about the sand dollar/Necco wafer pattern--fun
ReplyDeleteI grow them every year and they are always worth the wait. This year I too have purchased the yellow. I've never seen yellow ones and I think they will really compliment the Susan pink I got with them. I love your blog and I've been reading it for at least a year. I live west of Framingham and I've been trying to figure exactly where you live. I love seeing your take on places I know well. Have a wonderful holiday season. It goes by way too fast.
ReplyDeleteOk, this Christmas song has to end here. I love all your new babies. I hope they bloom into delightful children over the holidays. I loved La Paz last year, found it sooo fabulous. xo Terri
ReplyDeleteHi Steve...I've done the same thing and got my bulbs planted up and will start more this week so have blooms throughout winter. Love the smell of paperwhite.
ReplyDeleteXXX
Debra~
oh how i love christmas bulbs in the house. so gorgeous steve in all your mccoy pottery.
ReplyDeleteHey Steve, Thank for your comment on my recent post.... I was out and about yesterday and picked up paperwhites and daffodil bulbs at Northeast Nursery on Rt. 1. I think I'm going to go the rustic/country route with my containers. Sally and I have been able to stretch our Amaryllis two seasons by planting them in good potting soil.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
John
Eeek, not Country Living - Cottage Style! Sorry! :( In case you went looking for it.
ReplyDeleteDrooling over your pots. Always raising the bar aren't you Steve?
ReplyDeletexo Jane
Cute planters, Steve! I like the way paperwhites look but simply cannot stand their smell.
ReplyDeleteWell, it looks like there is a new collection in my future......love those white greek key planters. Just bought my first one on ebay!!
ReplyDeleteHi Steve
ReplyDeleteWell...just brought home a few Amaryllis and some Paperwhites...mine found a home in some of my Milkglass containers...I'll just have to be careful...no drainage holes...they'll go out to one of my beds when they're finished blooming...the Amaryllis do so well in the yard too...not sure about the Paperwhites :) where did you find the yellow?
am
Great way to decorate the house. I love the look of paper whites but the scent is too strong for me and mine. maybe I should go for the amaryllis instead. I was so proud of myself for saving the succulents that we planted this summer, by repotting them and bringing them inside. they really are cheerful and I hope they last the winter so I can take them outside in spring. (Unfortunately I tend to be a plant killer :-( I've had luck with a topiary lavender plant I have in my kitchen window, which is what gave me the courage to try and save the succulents)
ReplyDeleteLovely!.....smiles
ReplyDeleteDoes it count if you just wait and buy them already blooming....Gawd...I am always forgetting that I need to do something early...:)
ReplyDeleteIma paperwhite nut myself. My husband threatened to leave one
ReplyDeletechristmas because of the strong scent they give off. Does the scent bother you? I don't mind it - the delicate flowers are so worth it! loved this post, steve, and don't mind admitting I'm jealous of those cream colored pots. donna
I LOVE the McCoy Pottery! As Jane mentioned above, you are always raising the bar. I am now officially on the lookout for some McCoy pots.
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteI love flowers, but I really do not have a green thumb. They usually end up dying :(
ReplyDeleteThe weekend BEFORE thanksgiving...that's when we are supposed to plant bulbs? Really? Why don't I know this? Annnnyway...yours are looking fabulous and those McCoy pots...and three of them...how wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYour home is just gorgeous and really is coming along great. I just love it when that happens! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteSteve I love paperwhite's and amaryllis! Your pots are pretty wonderful as well!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
2012 Artists Series & Giveaway from Pamela Terry!
Your bulbs are very inspiring! Hoping to get mine going today!
ReplyDeleteYou will have some beautiful blooms very soon Steve! I also love using plants inside as much as possible. Please post pics when they bloom; would love to see!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you're feeling better. Your bulbs look great!
ReplyDeleteBest regards,
Ruth
I always admire people who remember to plant their bulbs in time!
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned Necco. I had a job interview there in 1986 to be a HR Assistant. My strongest memory was that once inside I had to be buzzed in past this sliding metal grate gate, felt a bit like a prison. I didn't get the job - maybe it was the look on my face?
I cant wait to see them when they bloom....I just saw some at my local market...I think I'm going to go back and buy them....they were beautiful!
ReplyDelete53 comments! Wow. My Famaryllis is doing wonderfully this year. I remember those wafers!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI was inspired by this to go and get some paper white bulbs. Thanks, I'm super excited about this
ReplyDeleteThat's excellent!
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