My string of pearls plant is growing nicely so I must be doing something right. To confirm that, I thought I'd look up some information about it and in doing so, I have discovered the most amazing, unusual thing about it. It's in the daisy family, Asteraceae. I wouldn't have guessed that from looking at it, which just proves once again, never judge a plant... I also discovered that the taxonomists decided to move it from the genus Senecio to the genus Curio so now it is Curio … [Read more...] about String of Pearls
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May Dreams Gardens
Snowdrop Watch
It's a good thing I didn't plan a big festival for late November to welcome the first snowdrops of the season. They are not to be found this year. Where they came up last year and bloomed at the end of November—see picture for evidence—there is now a bunch of henbit growing and a ceramic sign that says "Snowdrops" so I know I'm looking in the right spot. What is the difference between last year and this year? Well, thanks for asking. We gardeners love to talk about the … [Read more...] about Snowdrop Watch
A Memory of Violets
My list of books featuring pansies, violets, or violas as part of the story now stands at... Two books. This past week I finished reading and listening to A Memory of Violets: A Novel of London's Flower Sellers by Hazel Gaynor. The story features two poor Irish girls who sell violets and other flowers on the streets of London and then one day, they get separated... Violets feature as both a flower they once sold on the streets and as a scent that weaves in and out of the story. This … [Read more...] about A Memory of Violets
Always in Bloom
My weather has turned decidedly in the wintry direction. No snow yet, but it has been chilly. While I was out putting up Christmas lights, my neighbors came home and hollered out that their petunia growing in a pot on their covered and well-protected porch is still blooming. I yelled back, "You have green thumbs." One must encourage gardeners whenever and however one gets the opportunity. In my garden, the pansies are still going in front, and in back those Christmas Roses are … [Read more...] about Always in Bloom
From Letters to My Dearest Garden to Elf Boots
If you use Instagram, you may have seen my letters to My Dearest Garden. I write one every few days or so in between posting a picture. So my grid looks like a checkerboard. Letter, picture, letter, picture, letter... my friend and co-podcaster Dee once told me that Instagram grids that make a pattern are more pleasing to the eye. Letter, picture, letter, picture, letter... There isn't room to write too much in each letter, and I try to make it something real in the garden that has … [Read more...] about From Letters to My Dearest Garden to Elf Boots
The Quest for a Christmas Cactus
Now that we are officially in the Christmas season, it's time to once again continue our quest for a true Christmas cactus. But, you might be asking as you look at the picture of my Schlumbergera truncata blooming now, why would you go on a quest looking for something I already have? Let me explain. Technically, the Schlumbergera I have pictured blooms around Thanksgiving, with no assistance from me other than watering it. It is a Thanksgiving cactus. You probably have one in … [Read more...] about The Quest for a Christmas Cactus
