Monday, February 27, 2012

Yellow Flowers in the February House

I get so tired of pinks and reds after the winter holidays, that I find I'm always craving a bit of yellow in late winter, and my favorite late winter/early spring yellow flowers are the primulas, cultivated cousins of the English wildflower known as cowslip (Primula veris). So what a delight that my local co-op, Seward, had a bevy of them from which to choose. Naturally, I brought home two. They're enjoying the soft light that comes in the north window over the buffet.

So, no stunning bouquets in this house, but a cheery flowering plant instead. To feast your eyes on a delightful parade of lovely flowers in houses, begin your tour at Jane's place.

Oh, but there are also the clover seedlings, still a long way from actually looking like clover, let alone producing flowers.

Yet, they're doing pretty well, considering that there were a few false starts: a too-cold windowsill in the basement followed by a too-dark warm spot near the furnace that got them germinated but anemic; a bit of absent-minded neglect on my part wherein the pale fragile little sprouts withered and died; a new beginning in the sunny south windows by Craig's desk; and a too-curious cat bringing my four pots down to two.



But here they are, the sweet little things, even beginning to show their first true leaves. Will they look like jaunty Irish clovers by St. Patrick's Day? Well, we have almost three weeks to go, so maybe they will.

Why clover and not "shamrocks" you ask? More on that later.

10 comments:

  1. I love it all, the primroses, your clovers...and after trying to grow from seed last year my hat is off to you,and especially the comment you left.

    Make me feel quite a bit better about letting the lab baby sit.

    xo jane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Labs are great babysitters, better than some teenagers, i think!

      Delete
  2. who needs bouquest when you have those lovely pots! so very bright and welcoming.
    xoxox kat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. Yes, I love flowering plants in pots. Primulas wouldn't really work very well as cut flowers anyway, would they?

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. I think it's our local gardening institution, Bachman's, that forces them in late winter. I used to have to seek them out at a Bachman's retail outlet, which isn't very convenient for me, so I was delighted when I saw that my co-op had them. They're getting to have a very nice selection of flowers there, in fact; both cut ones and potted.

      Delete
  4. I think your yellow flowering plant and clover seedlings are a lovely answer to Jane's call for flowers in the house. I only have succulents and one Tillandsia at the moment...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am learning so much on today's floral blog roll. I had to google Tillandsia — what a neat plant. And succulents are always lovely. I would like to find some plants my cats won't eat, and those both sound like good candidates. Thanks for the idea!

      Delete
  5. I tried to leave a comment yesterday from my ipad...I didn't think it worked. Anyway, I do love your yellow flowers. I'm the same way after Christmas. I can't wait to get yellow tulips in the house. Your yellow primula says spring and your clovers as well.
    annie

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello Sharon, your Primula's look lovely. Well done with the clover seedlings too. Many thanks for your visit and kind comments. I do apologise for the delay in getting back to you. Yes the 4 fruit marmalade tastes slightly more exotic than the orange. Have a relaxing Sunday, love Linda x

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for reading, and for sharing your thoughts.