I first shared this good news several years ago and now I can't believe that it took so long for this to happen since I can now count on it every year! In fact, they are blooming right now! :-) My neighbor Joyce kindly shared with me some babies from one of her mother’s cherished plants with the instructions to let them get pot bound and they would bloom. She didn’t know the plant’s name at the time, but I found out recently that it is a Walking Iris.
The plant itself looks something like a spider plant, but the babies grow from an elongated, thickened leaf, not from a stem. And…as you can see, I did indeed let it get pot bound. For the first eight years I faithfully brought it in every winter and put it back out on the patio every spring…and waited…
Then finally, my patience was rewarded at last! It finally bloomed! You can indeed see that it is related to the Iris.
Isn’t it beautiful? I quickly snapped some photos to memorialize the event…
…because this beautiful flower literally only lasts a few hours! By late afternoon, it was beginning to wither. I had to laugh, thinking of the movie Dennis the Menace and poor Mr. Wilson who had waited 40 years to see his rare orchid bloom. With Dennis around, you can already imagine the result! (It’s still one of my favorite movies, by the way!)
Another surprise on my patio…one of the three frogs who lived in my little water feature last year is back, which might not be so surprising…
…until you see how small it is! Miss Kitty finds it highly disturbing that critters are living in her personal drinking fountain!
Soon the water hyacinths will be blooming, too…another flower that only lasts a short time!
However, I can always count on the begonias in my shabby picnic basket planter to last all summer and into the fall! You can find out how to make a planter of your own here.
Another favorite of mine is also back …my little rustic flower pot man…sporting golden creeping Jenny hair this year!
And more good news this year...my ginger lilies are thriving so I will have an abundance of blooms this fall and see the hummingbird moths return to my garden.
And, of course, back again…the staff’s favorite…a big pot of catnip! 
Although Naughty Neighbor (as pictured here last year) has now found a new, loving home, a few other kitties include our patio in their rounds, so the catnip remains caged to keep it safe and sound until the staff wants to play with it. It’s so nice to see signs of summer on my patio!I hope you are having beautiful weather, too, and beginning to get a break from all the rain we have been having!
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Oh, I used to have a walking iris plant back when we all had so, so many house plants. As I recall, it smells lovely, too. Thanks for the memories.
ReplyDeleteI also had some catnip outside that drove the kitties wild, they loved it to death. I have since bought some varieties that don't have the magic scent that drives my crew wild any longer. Any suggestions what type to buy? Thanks!
I have bought it at garden stores and at pet stores. Be sure to buy catnip and not catmint. I have read that it is catnip's more attractive cousin but has no effect on cats. I might also add that some of my furbabies seem to love catnip while others could take it or leave it. Not sure why.
DeleteDebbie, the Walking Iris and the Ginger Lily are spectacular! I'd never hear of either. All your plants look fabulous. What a joy to sit on your patio in the company of all that beauty. I'm inspired to keep at my own flower growing endeavors! Thanks for the beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. Love your tenacity getting those flowers to behave. :) I have one such target in my entry porch. Boy have I had to baby that thing! Pepperomia?? I can't remember the name, but I think it's finally given in to my persistence too.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous flowers!
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