Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - January 2015

On the 15th of every month, gardeners from all over the world participate in a meme called Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, hosted by an Indiana garden blogger, May Dreams Gardens.  I've been participating in this meme since mid 2011, when I was told about it by a blogger in my very first blogging challenge.

GBBD, as we call it, can get just as addictive as blog challenges

But, for this gardener in zone 5b Johnson City, New York, January can be a challenge, as I scour the house looking for something that is blooming.

This is an unknown coleus I got at a farmers market this past spring.  The vendor did not know its name.  It is a narrow leafed coleus, that is all I know.  When it grew outside, the leaves were almost like little red needles.  They are slightly broader and greener in a northern window in my bedroom.

I rooted some branches (I tried to overwinter the entire plant but it died) and they now have these tiny flowers.

One of my two kalanchoes, under siege from whiteflies, is blooming.  This plant has a story behind it and I will not let it go to kalanchoe heaven without a fight (although the person it was initially given to, sadly, has passed.)

My newest African violet is still blooming its heart out-I purchased it in November and it is still going.

I had potted up some amaryllis.  I have three plants.  One bloomed for me last year.  But I was too late, and they are just now starting to grow. (Well, one is.  The other two bulbs haven't sprouted but are still alive).

And, finally, a plant showing there is always a surprise in the house.

I decided to try to overwinter some of my hanging baskets.  It's been a struggle, butI have some geraniums and one petunia still alive.  Several days ago, I noticed a single bloom on the petunia.

The flower is on its way out, but it waited (barely) until Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.  I even had two Thanksgiving cactuses with blooms just a few days ago, but the blooms didn't make it to today.

Have a few minutes?  Head on over to May Dreams Gardens, click on some other GBBD links, and see what is blooming in gardens (and houses) from all over the world.