Outside it may be cold and wet, but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying a lovely little spring tabletop garden right inside my home. I do some version of this every year (click here to see another).
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This year two things are different:
- I happened upon a clearance sale on indoor plants at Lowe’s right before they started bringing in their Christmas decorations. So I’ve added those (good for air quality).
- I found a fabulous iron table at Home Goods that I bought for my screened porch but had to find someplace to put it until I can re-arrange things out there.
Every year, Target/Home Depot/ TJX etc have especially prepared or pre-chilled bulbs available for forcing into bloom for Christmas. I always do at least one Amaryllis for Christmas and then I go to the after Christmas clearance sales and snatch up the pots of Paperwhites.
Good plants to coax into blooming indoors before their normal outdoor blooming time are: Paperwhite Narcissus, hyacinths, daffodils, crocuses, and certain types of tulips.
Hyacinths are usually the most easily forced spring bulbs as they can be forced in dirt like mine or water.
I’m sure you’ve all seen these pretty forcing vases for hyacinths.
The fragrance from these blooms is just amazing! Every day my husband remarks on how lovely the living room smells.
Now I have to be honest and admit that I only force paperwhites. The other spring flowering bulbs I always buy at Trader Joes. But I see them at other grocery stores all the time. TJ just has the best prices in my area. Or save money and read up on how to force bulbs yourself.
I normally plant everything but the paperwhites (which never come back) in my garden after the blooms fade. I gradually reduce their water and plant them out in the garden as soon as the ground can be worked. Which for me could be anytime really. If your ground is frozen just keep them in a cool dark room and plant in the spring.
I’ll bet it does smell wonderful, Manuela!
Those look wonderful! I have an African violet that I got a year ago for 0.25 at Lowe’s, and a Christmas cactus that just yesterday came into bloom for the second year. I think I’ll have to splurge on a hyacinth or two!
I love the scent of those spring bulbs. I’m going to have to look for some to bring home tomorrow.
And they are so pretty and healthy looking! I am down to one live plant in the house right now – need to get more.
I don’t have any real indoor plants right now…no artificial ones either for that matter. As the Christmas greens get packed away I’d like to bring some real plants in.
Yours are looking great!
it looks so pretty, I’m sure the smell is divine too! I’ve tried forcing the paperwhites but none of the others. It’s an idea though to try tulips, they are one of my fav’s.
What a beautiful flowers you have there! I want to nurture some flowers this year as one of my wishlist.
I really should spend some time & do the same! I love hyacinths, they remind me of childhood Springtime when I would sneak out & steal them from my mom’s garden so my room was filled with their fragrance!
So pretty Manuela!!! Wish I could smell them. 🙂 Love how you get so much from them each year…i.e., enjoy them indoors during winter and then transplant to enjoy outdoors for years! Just like you to be so clever/creative with even simple things like plants! Hope you all are enjoying the new year so far.
Love,
Tracey
x0x
P.S. LOve Trader Joe’s plants…like you…their prices in our area cannot be beat!
I love paper whites they are so beautiful. I have always wanted to try my hand at forcing bulbs~
Bristol
A great idea! I need more live plants in my home!
Oh, I love flowers! I have many live plants at home because during weekends I use to plant and fetch the flowers in my garden. Paper whites are great too. love to have it on my garden!
Beautiful plants! I think they add a touch of spring to your living room. I have about 10 house plants, but have never tried paperwhites or any other kind of bulb.
As for an idea for the bottom of that iron table, I’m picturing a large, woven basket to fill up the space. Or, a stack of colorful quilts, if you have any.
I wish I had a stack of quilts! Thank you for the suggestions!
Manuela
Your plants are beautiful, I don’t grow any of them anymore, not inside anyways. I just don’t have the room for them. But, I love my garden outdoors, it looks better every year.
Hugs, Cindy
Just perfect for cold and snowy January in my neck of the woods! Great idea Manuela! Love the smell of paperwhites but usually just have them for Christmas. Mimi
Okay….I love forcing bulbs every year! There is a certain satisfaction about seeing those tiny little shoots poking up from the dirt. BTW…. would love it if you stopped by today for the impossiblity challenge! Your “impossiblity” could even be your gardening plans for 2012!
Oh, I LOVE paperwhites and hyacinths! They are such pretty additions to a winter indoor landscape! 🙂