Hi GPODers!
At the beginning of the month I gave an update on my growing houseplant collection (Houseplant Happenings) with the hope that it might inspire some of you to share your favorite indoor plants, which can be gardening lifelines during the winter months. Barbara Owen in Wellesley, Massachusetts answered the charge and sent over photos of far more than just a few of her favorites. Barbara has shared her garden with us several times over the years (Barbara’s Beginning of Spring in Massachusetts, Barbara’s Massachusetts Garden Through the Seasons, Surprises and Lessons From Barbara’s Garden and Color Themes in Barbara’s Garden), but this is our first taste of the wide variety of plants she enjoys indoors.
A while ago you asked about our indoor gardens since cold, snowy weather in the northern part of the country makes it hard to work in our outdoor gardens. Years ago, when we renovated our house, we gained some wonderful windows for my collection of plants.
Let’s start in the eating area in the kitchen. These succulents thrive in this east facing window, cool at night and right above the heat during the day. After they spend the summer outdoors there are always too many to bring inside.
After I’ve given away what I can, those that are left become small gardens, a variety of shapes and personalities growing together in shallow pots.
Another combination of fabulous green foliage!
Moving to the sunroom, this window also faces east. There are windows and plants on the north and south walls as well. This is a great place for some of the summer pots of geraniums to spend the winter. Since I cut them back quite a bit last December, they aren’t yet exuberantly blooming but they will be soon.
This window is also the perfect place for the orchids that someone gave to my parents many years ago. The orchids were blooming at that point but never again bloomed even with the care they got in their greenhouse. When my parents moved, the orchids came to us. In this sunny, low heat room, they have bloomed every year since.
Orchids aren’t the only thing blooming on Barbara’s windowsill. Some variety of echeveria sent out this lovely cluster of bright orange blooms.
The dining room window also faces east but is partly shaded in the winter by the house.
It’s the perfect place for this group of plants, many with variegated or colorful leaves, as well as an annual gift of an amaryllis.
So while the snow falls outside, I can still “garden” inside along with dreaming and planning for next summer’s garden outside.
Lastly, a peach colored amaryllis—potentially the cultivar Apricot Parfait (Amaryllis ‘Apricot Parfait’, Zones 8–10 or as an indoor plant)—creates double the beauty when reflected in the window at night.
Thank you so much for giving us a tour of your indoor plant collection, Barbara! I, of course, have some serious window envy, but it was fabulous to see all of the amazing plants you’re able to grow with that extra light.
I hope more GPODers take Barbara’s lead and share some of their favorite houseplants. Whether your collection fills every windowsill or a few sunny corners of your home – we would love to see the plants that get your attention when it’s too cold or snowy to enjoy your outdoor garden. Follow the NEW directions below to submit your photos to Garden Photo of the Day!
We want to see YOUR garden!
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, fill out the Garden Photo of the Day Submission Form.
You can also send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Monarch Butterfly Rescue Wildflower Seeds 4 oz.
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
HIGH QUALITY SEEDS and EXPERT GUIDANCE: Experience the quality seed difference. We are committed to providing the highest quality, open-pollinated, non-GMO/non-GE seeds to our customers, guaranteed. A trusted source of high quality seeds since 1985. ATTRACT MORE MONARCHS: We know seeds and we know pollinators! Our expertly crafted botanical garden seed mixes contain a wide variety of both perennials and annuals that are specifically designed to attract pollinators. Attract more Monarchs and Butterflies in general. Gardener tested, pollinator approved! All Of Our Wildflower Varieties Are 100% Pure Seed, They come with complete planting instructions. Compare and see the quality value. This Wildflower Seed Mix will make the perfect gift for those gardeners in your life.
Corona® Multi-Purpose Metal Mini Garden Shovel
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Longer Service Life: The blade of this round small shovel is made of carbon steel, which can effectively improve the hardness by high temperature quenching, and the surface has anti-rust coating to avoid rusting. In the process of use when encountering hard objects will not bend and deformation.
Sturdy Structure: The small garden shovel with D-handle, ergonomically designed grip can increase the grip of the hand when using, the handle is made of strong fiberglass, will not bend and break under heavy pressure. Quick Digging: Well-made digging shovel has a sharp blade, and the round shovel head is designed to easily penetrate the soil and cut quickly while digging to enhance your work efficiency.
Wagner’s 52003 Classic Blend Wild Bird Food, 6-Pound Bag
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Classic wild bird food uses the highest quality grains to attract backyard wild Birds. A high-quality mix containing Millet, milo, cracked corn and Sunflower for a wide range of wild birds to enjoy. Perfect for tube, hopper, or platform feeders. Great to feed in all seasons! Perfect for the winter, when seeds are scarce; spring and summer for hatchlings; and autumn to give energy to migrating birds. This seed will help you fill your yard with birds such as Jays, cardinals, doves, Juncos, finches, goosebeaks, any many more.
