An escape to my greenhouse

February 5, 2010

You can see, from reading my recent blogs, that it has been a rather harsh winter here, where I live, as well as in many other locales. Bracing winds, heavy rains, and blankets of snow, makes one long for the arrival of spring. This time of year, it's always a pleasurable escape to visit the local botanical gardens. I look forward to the annual orchid show at The New York Botanical Garden, which begins on February 27th. I also love going to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where there are always exquisite displays. Of course, I am very fortunate because I have a greenhouse of my own, where Shaun Kass, my gardener, has been doing a fine job of nurturing my plant collection. Please enjoy this little escape tour.

: This beautiful plant is called Calliandra.

: The leaves of this begonia are covered with pink, fuzzy hairs.

: I love the way they look in the sunlight.

: Another name for Scadoxus is paintbrush lily.

: This unusual flower is called Scadoxus.

: Its common name is pink powderpuff.

: These buds are full of energy.

: It’s called Container Plants by Byron Martin and Laurelyn Martin of Logee’s Greenhouses. www.logees.com/

: Shaun uses this very descriptive book for reference all the time.

: These giant elephant ear leaves add so much height and interest to the greenhouse.

: With sunlight behind them, their texture is stunning.

: It’s flowers last for 2 weeks or more.

: Burbidgea scheizocheila – Golden Brush is a dwarf ginger.

: The very unusual flower of Aristolochia gigantea

: A miniature spiny cactus garden

: Shaun is rooting cuttings of Salix, or pussy willow – they will be planted outdoors near the wetland.

: Some of the cuttings are already blooming with a fuzzy catkins.

: This colorful leaf is coleus Odalisque.

: Very beautiful, indeed.

: These flowers are amaryllis Exotica.

: These cuttings from it will root nicely. It is a trailing plant, good for containers and ground covers.

: I love the vibrant orange of this Clivia, commonly called kaffir lily.

: There are many buds about to burst.

: The extraordinary bloom of a Lady Slipper orchid

: A darling miniature orchid blooming happily

: The oxalis is even busy blooming!

: And another

: Shaun is testing how much light the orchids receive. You need at least 3,000 foot candles for orchids to bloom. He’s happy to report that they receive about 5,000!