Sunday, February 15, 2015

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day - Feb 2015 Heart of Winter

It's the day after Valentine's Day here in upstate New York.

It's the heart of winter.  And winter is having no heart.

Today, we are not supposed to get out of the single digits. It is 6 degrees F (-14.4) with lots of wind right now. We had snow squalls last night.

I was fearful I would not find any indoor flowers for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.  My one blooming African violet had finally quit after blooming for almost four months.  My primrose's last blooms have faded.  The one petunia plant I was able to save from the summer (it had bloomed last Bloom Day unexpected) was now in Petunia Heaven.

What would have happened if I found myself empty flowered for the first time in almost four years of GBBD posting? found a couple of flowers, for your pleasure.
A kalanchoe, still alive after a run in with mealybugs, blooms in a southern window.

The Alternathera I had had been sold as a "narrow leafed coleus", another outdoor plant I brought indoors, is still blooming.

I had one more surprise awaiting me.

I have a dracaena that is almost 20 years old.  It is tall, and its upper part is hidden by a window shade.  But I happened to lift the window shade....

....and to my surprise, I found this. (OK, it's dried up, but it counts in February!)  I wonder when that happened!

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day never ceases to amaze. Carol at May Dreams Gardens is  right - if you keep a garden journal, you learn so much.  I don't keep an official journal, but I have been keeping an informal, online one by posting my blooms the 15th of each month since mid 2011. (Carol, you sneak!)

If you want to see what is blooming all over the world today, visit May Dreams Gardens, who hosts this monthly meme, and join the fun.

Is anything blooming for you today?
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19 comments:

  1. ScottFebruary 15, 2015 at 11:21 AM

    It's 10 degrees outside, not a single thing is blooming as far as the eye can see. Can't wait for the snow to melt!

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    1. bookwormFebruary 15, 2015 at 5:18 PM

      I can't wait, either, Scott. It's going to get below zero tonight, so it won't be soon.

      Delete
  2. Dorothy BordersFebruary 15, 2015 at 3:27 PM

    Such a pretty little kalanchoe and what a surprise is that dracaena! I think I better keep a closer eye on mine.

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    1. bookwormFebruary 15, 2015 at 5:20 PM

      Yes, it was a surprise. Wish I could have seen it before the flowers died.

      Delete
  3. BarbaraFebruary 15, 2015 at 5:11 PM

    Your flowers are so pretty. My husband brought me an azalea plant for Valentine's Day. It's in a small pot. It's a beautiful reminder that Spring is on the way. Now to keep it alive until the Spring so that I can transplant it in the garden. :)

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    1. bookwormFebruary 15, 2015 at 5:22 PM

      Azaleas make nice potted plants. Enjoy yours - hope it stays alive for you.

      Delete
  4. LeaFebruary 15, 2015 at 5:12 PM

    Great that you found something for Bloom Day!
    I love Kalanchoes - that's a pretty one!
    Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
    Lea

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  5. rusty duckFebruary 15, 2015 at 6:55 PM

    What a beautiful colour that Kalanchoe is. And what a lot of snow. I hope Spring comes soon.

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  6. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2015 at 6:59 PM

    Those flowers brightened my day. Hope your staying warm in the cold.

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    1. bookwormFebruary 16, 2015 at 12:30 PM

      As long as I'm in my house, I'm warm. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  7. Dr TandyFebruary 15, 2015 at 10:18 PM

    I live in Arizona and can't grow anything to save my life - lol. I do love going to different gardens around town as I find it so peaceful. Love your flower pictures!

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    1. bookwormFebruary 16, 2015 at 12:32 PM

      Arizona is a beautiful state - it isn't easy to grow things in many parts. Thank you for stopping by.

      Delete
  8. dianaschnuthFebruary 16, 2015 at 10:15 AM

    Your kalanchoes are a welcome spot of color! Wish mine would bloom -- they're still young, though, so maybe they're still figuring themselves out.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier! Always glad to hear from others who are toughing out the winter. :)

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    1. bookwormFebruary 16, 2015 at 12:39 PM

      These kalanchoes have quite the story - and hopefully your will bloom one day. (Yes, mine are several years old, a gift that keeps on giving in the best way.)

      Delete
  9. UnknownFebruary 16, 2015 at 12:14 PM

    I am a Florida girl, have some beautiful azaleas blooming and a orchid that i love! Great blog! Following A-Z challenge Jan @ www.mermaidsandcashmere.com

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    1. bookwormFebruary 16, 2015 at 12:40 PM

      Looking forward to the A to Z also. I have several relatives in Florida (what resident of NY State doesn't?) I might visit down there again next year. Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  10. Kimberley at Cosmos and CleomeFebruary 16, 2015 at 9:22 PM

    Thank goodness for our blooming houseplants this time of year! Yesterday we had a high of 8, and that was around noon. It dropped steadily after that, and was 2 by 7:00. This morning when I got up, the thermometer said -7. Looking at the long range forecast is discouraging. According to AccuWeather, we won't climb above freezing for the next 10 days!
    Your kalanchoe is lovely. I've never had any luck getting them to re-bloom for me.

    ReplyDelete

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