Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Overload.

Did I say that I love my garden yet? Because I do. First, I must confess that these pink mums I did not grow, but bought at Costco. Couldn't resist them. These are Jolly Jester Marigolds. Not your average marigold, no sir.

These are Mammoth Grey Stripe Sunflowers. The bees love 'em. I love 'em. Everyone is happy. Did you know that the middle of the sunflower flower has billions of little flowers in it? Crazy.

This is one of my Court Jester Chrysanthemums. They bloom with all sorts of crazy colored rings. This one came out red and yellow. It's been snacked on by some garden critters.

These are african violets, and they have been long in coming. Over a year ago, a patient at work told me that if you took the leaf of an african violet and put the stem in just a little bit of water, it would sprout and you could plant it. Eventually, little baby violet plants would start to grow from the parent leaf. When the babies get big enough, you can break them off of the parent leaf and pot them, and they will grow into a full grown african violet! These are my babies!

The parent leaf for this one was stolen from a violet at work.

That same patient who told me about cultivating african violets later brought me a few leaves from her own violets at home. The white ones are from her plants.







11 comments:

L Chang said...

The last photo you have of the violets, they look like they have glitter on them! Cute! Oregon seems like such a beautiful place. I need to come visit sometime...actually...Jack and I are going to Seattle in November. Maybe we can stop by for a visit!

Chelsea said...

THose are beautiful Pics!! I love them

Kimba said...

When you move down you can give me some gardening tips. A tutorial if you will. :) I've been meaning to plant something, anything, in all this space I have, but haven't got to it yet. Also, I'm excited about the violets, I remember seeing them when I was there last! And thinking it was crazy that they could possibly turn into an entire flowering plant. :) Lovely!

Leslie said...

Wow, look at you Mrs. Green Thumb! I never knew this about you. Beautiful plants for a beautiful person!

Bridge said...

I'm with Kim. Tutorials are a must. All of your flowers are beautiful. I really like the pics of the african violets-the white ones especially.

lisa said...

okay so, just to clarify, these are YOUR pictures?? wow, not only are the plants great, but the photography is quite splendid.. kudos to you! (i used to work at a garden center--well, it was more like a small tent on asphalt--but these make me miss it!!)

Abby said...

Thanks for the kind words, everyone! Yes, I did take the pictures. It's the camera, not me.

heather said...

So pretty Abs. Could you just move next door and do my gardening for you. I would make it worth your while...

Abby said...

Sure Heather! Having you next door would be worth it enough for me!

The Kilpacks said...

Love the pics of your garden! I'm jealous. Awesome job!

Criscell said...

I love the flowers! I wish I had time to do stuff like that. Lately we have been so busy. I would rather do yard work and play in my garden than do house work and laundry.