Friday, December 12, 2014

When it's cold and dreary outside



Bring a few winter flowers into the house.



Paperwhites are easy to grow inside your house. 






Friends brought oranges and lemons from California.






Cymbidium Orchids are repeat bloomers if you leave them outside in the Summer. 






After blooming Phalaenopsis like to be placed by an east facing window.





A few sprigs of Christmas Greens will do wonders.






Phalaenopsis orchids come in many colors.  They bloom for 4 to 6 months in my house. 







Orchids make especially nice Christmas gifts.  







Sometimes a trip to the Florist is called for. 






Long lasting Alstroemeria are a good choice.







White flowers always look so special. 






And don't forget the special gift for a very special friend.  


Happy Christmas planning.  

Gina 



12 comments:

  1. Dear Gina,

    Orchids do very well here in Florida, and my brother has a collection that has lasted for decades. My house is surrounded by Live Oaks and pine trees, so Spanish moss and pine needles are a natural decoration for me . . .

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    1. Dear Mark, You are so lucky to have a ready supply of greenery at your disposal. It gets pretty bleak around here this time of year. If we could only get a little snow before Christmas.

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  2. Never any dreary pictures on your blog, dear Gina. You have a way with flowers and your backdrops are always so intriguing. How do you keep your Paperwhites from falling over? Mine grew so tall that they needed assistance to keep them standing straight. Not much planning in my house, just doing what comes to mind and slowly, every day a little bit more, it looks like Christmas.
    Happy thoughts, Sieglinde

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    1. Dear Sieglinde,
      Paperwhites like cool temperatures and like to be watered every day once you see blossoms forming. But sooner or later they will try to flop over. A pretty ribbon wrapped around the entire group of bulbs will remedy that.
      You sound like me. Every day I decorate or bake something. Soon it will all be done and if I need to change my plans there is always another day.

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  3. Let it be cold and dreary outside Gina - when everything looks so colourful and inviting in your home it matters not.

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    1. DearRrosemary, I was so thrilled for you to see your Lady Slipper orchid bloom after you have been taking care of it for several years. Making Lady Slippers bloom again is only for the experts and you are an expert.

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  4. Beautiful! I agree with Rosemary! Everything looks so colorful and alive in your cozy home!
    Blessings My Friend,

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    1. Blessings to you Elaine. Thank you for stopping by for a visit and leaving a comment. It is so appreciated.

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  5. Gina, these are lovely photographs, so filled with joyous colors. (Your indoors is much more beautiful than mine. Perhaps I will find time in the coming week to get a bit more Christmas spirit into this apartment. Thank you for your inspiration.)

    xo

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  6. Dear Frances, There is still plenty of time to add a few Christmas decorations. I still have to decorate our tree. Thank you for your visit.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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  7. Your orchids are enviable! We are having such a mild winter, most outdoor plants haven't died back yet.

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  8. Dear Theresa, It wasn't so long ago when orchids were expensive. Now they are so affordable there is no reason not to enjoy them in our homes. They bloom for such a long time and are so rewarding.
    We had an early cold spell but have been without snow for weeks. Very unusual.

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