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Saturday, January 12, 2013

African Violets: A Color Feast in January

African Violet "Saint Paulia"

I started out gardening with houseplants.  After all, when you don't have any outdoor space, it only makes sense.  But philodendron, ivies, aloes and dieffenbachias just don't seem to satisfy everything in gardening...after all we garden not just for the love of gardening, but for "fruit."  This means either flowers, or something we can eat.  

Just looking at green is pretty nice, but to be honest, I need to anticipate something wonderful that comes with the plant...it's kind of like the change of seasons.  Even though it's difficult to switch from summer to fall to winter; there is something about the change that's gratifying. Moving from summer's greens to autumn's golds and reds and then to winter's white, blues and grays makes everything a little nicer...especially when winter is followed by the brilliant burst of the colors of spring.


So, growing these violets is a beautiful thing in the bleak days of winter.  I practically ignore them every other time of the year except to water and feed them.  But winter is when they become my focal point again.  As they bloom, I feel springtime is awakened!
This variegated purple version is my oldest.  A friend gave it to me as a thank-you gift in the year 2000.  Yes, I still have it and have almost killed it but thankfully it resisted my attempts. 
It's a great reminder of a friendship from long ago (my friend moved out-of-state) and I love the memories attached to it. 


So, just taking a little break from winter to enjoy these little blossoms of vibrant colors...hoping you enjoyed them just a little bit too...

What's your favorite indoor plant or flower?  Blessings!

Linked to these amazing blog hops:  Weekly Top Shot   
Clever Chicks Blog Hop
Homestead Barn Hop  Hello Mondays
Backyard Farming Connection Wildcrafting Wednesdays
Waste Not, Want Not Wednesdays 
Seasonal Celebration Wednesday 
Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways 
The HomeAcre Hop! 
Small Footprint Friday 

19 comments:

  1. This post reminds me of my mom... she had literally hundreds of houseplants and all of them were in perfect health. I use to have some as well until my lifestyle changed and I wasn't able to keep the plants watered...

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    1. That's amazing Barb. I have only a few windows and only one southern exposure, so my plants are limited...but the ones that have survived are pretty hardy! :)

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  2. Delicious compositions, beautiful flowers. Delicateness.

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  3. They are so pretty! I love the bright colors. I don't really keep many plants indoors due to my cats, but I do have a marjoram plant on my sink that my grandma gave me :)

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    1. A marjoram plant counts for sure! I've never grown one of those indoors before. I remember when we had our cat and it was tricky to have indoor plants. I used to hang them in front of the windows and that did the trick pretty much. :)

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  4. Beautiful blooms. I've never had luck with African Violets, so I'm a little jealous. Geraniums do very well here in the Colorado Rockies in the winter. Mine bloom in the southern windows.

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    1. That would be great to keep your geraniums inside year after year; they must be beautiful! I have overwintered them before, but I have only one small southern exposure window and it's pretty crowded. The African Violets do really well in our east window and as long as I keep them crowded in the pot and don't overwater...they are pretty easy to take care of. :)

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  5. Nancy, thank you for your visit, I love violets, they are the only thing I can get to bloom in the house, lol have a wonderful night

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    1. It's my only blooming plant inside too... :)

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  6. LOVE it! I'm so glad you came by to share on Weekly Top Shot #65!

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  7. I also live near Lake Erie! - 5 miles away but I still consider that close
    You have a wonderful blog!! I'm your newest follower from the "Waste no want not" blog hop - this is my blog if you wanted to follow back: godsgrowinggarden.com
    Thanks
    Angie

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    1. That's awesome! 5 miles is still near Lake Erie for sure. We don't live along the shore line, but in a cottage within walking distance. Thanks for visiting and following...I will be following you back as well. It's nice to be connected with someone "in the neighborhood." :) Blessings!

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  8. They are so pretty! I would love to have you join The HomeAcre Hop at:
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/01/1213.html

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    1. Thanks for the invite Lisa...I linked up! Have a great week! :)

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    2. Thanks Nancy! So glad to have you share some colorful eye candy! Especially this time of year :)

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  9. How uplifting these beautiful plants are and so wonderfully photographed-thanks so much for sharing at Wednesday's Seasonal Celebration! Have a good week:-)Rebecca@ Natural Mothers Network x

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