Tulips for the table -

 

I found such a great buy on potted tulips for the table two days ago.  

They came six to a pot, just starting to unfurl their creamy petals, as only

 beautiful tulips can, displaying pinky-red edges that Diana the Huntress

 seems to find enlightening.

They came from LIDL, just $3.99 a pot, but providing more like a

 million dollar's worth of happy feelings on chilly winter days!

This morning the sun has come out illuminating the tulips.

They've started to open very quickly, so quickly in fact that if I look

 away for a few minutes they have already changed when I look back!

They look like this right now at 9:30 AM. . . . . . and I am ready for 

a day of enjoying my little indoor garden.

I've had a difficult time identifying this tulip online but think it might

be - 'World Expression' - which I found on a Canadian garden

website. If you beg to differ and can share another bloom which

resembles this one, please 'enlighten' me!

It really is a beauty.

Happy Saturday - enjoy your weekend.

Earthly Delights. . . . .

 

My little 'garden of 'earthly delights'

surprises every morning when I raise the

 blinds and the early light of day shines in.

The hyacinth bulb has babies popping out - fitting a family

 into the vase is now difficult!

I must keep an eye on it so it won't fall over.

Perfume is almost overwhelming.......and I love it.

Welcome to these sunny mornings.

Apple Blossom amaryllis still a delight.

Basil being snipped for supper dishes.

Slow going in the other pots but I can wait - what

 else is there to do!

Are you an indoor gardener in winter?

I hope you have lovely perfumed blooms brightening

 your long, cold days.

Amaryllis - patience pays off. . . . . . . . . . .

Last evening. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . early this morning!

Yes, the three lovely flowers are now fully open.

Just a few more hours, and in the dark of night, made such a difference.

Loved all the comments and tips you shared HERE regarding 

growing/caring for these stately, beautiful flowers, again thank you.

Here's hoping I can keep mine for many years as some of 

you have!

This morning it continues to rain and is very dreary outside 

the windows - but inside we have this beauty to enjoy.

Reaching new heights. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . the amaryllis chronicle!

In November I purchased two amaryllis bulbs. 

I saw a large display of bulbs in plastic pots lined up inside the the garden

 center at Walmart. I often stop there to get bags of birdseed and a stack of suet

 cakes to keep the garden birds happy - their prices being affordable, unlike the

 more fancy specialty 'wildlife shop' nearby.

Hoping these two bulbs would grow and bloom for Christmas, I was disappointed 

when they didn't do anything but sit quietly planted, definitely dreaming,

 in their muddy pots. I moved them out of the way into the potting shed over the

 holidays, bringing them back to the dining room later when the temperatures

 plummeted below freezing.

One decided to get moving in early January, the other one is struggling 

and doesn't have a stem, just leaves, so may not bloom this year.

Early January

I decided a plain bamboo stake was not going to look elegant holding up this stately 

stem so used the dried garden twigs from my Christmas decor - tied loosely with string

 they have done a great job.

Reaching for the light - turning the pot daily to keep the stem straight!

Getting so tall!

January 19

I've taken a lot of photos of this spectacular bulb over the past couple of weeks. 

By last weekend it had reached 32 inches, taller than the dried twigs, and was

  begnning to open. It seems to grow more at night - each morning I 

rush to the room and am astounded at how beautiful it looks.

January 21

January 23
Such a huge change in two days!

January 24

January 25

Today - January 26
34" tall from bulb to top of center bud!

Oh yes, didn't tell you, both bulbs were supposed to have white blooms according to the tag!

Instead, this one unfurled into this unusual pale coral/salmon shade - quite lovely and 

totally unexpected. One more bud to open - Nature at her loveliest yet again!

Do you have stories/tips about growing amaryllis bulbs?

Have you been able to get them to re-grow a second year? 

Reading the instructions they should do that if cut down after

 flowering and stored correctly. I'll certainly try that later.