The paperwhites and tulips were gifts. The paperwhites came in a box with an amazing soil-less mix, pot, and bulbs; the tulips were a hostess gift. Aren’t they beautiful? They remind me that spring WILL eventually come.
Here’s the thing: I’m not really a houseplant person. (I do OK with cut flowers. You know…a vase and a one-time-fill-up with water. That’s all that is required.) I really love the thought of life and greenery, the natural air filtration, the oxygen being generated…
I love the memories of my childhood–the African violets in the living room, the avocado pit perched on toothpicks on a mayo jar, the Hens ‘n Chicks bursting from their little coops. (My mother has a green thumb. She has always been able to grow anything–and keep it alive. This includes five children and several dogs.) I remember the leafy things from my childhood, and I feel nostalgic. So I, on occasion, buy a plant. Because of my mother. All is well for a week or so, but then I lose my focus.
The plants call out, choking for water. I apparently do not hear them. Occasionally, out of the corner of my eye, I notice the wilting and remark to myself (generally in silence) that I will water the plant when I finish what I am doing. I then go merrily on my way.
The next thing I know, days (or weeks!) have passed. I see brittle, brown clumps of dead plant matter from across the room. R.I.P., I think. I give.
Although I have a wonderful, supportive husband, on the subjects of plants and cooking, he has been known to utter, “How does the apple fall so far from the tree?”
I wish I knew…My family had better enjoy the paperwhites while they can.
(Pay no attention to the bread wrapper behind the tulips…I really need to work on composition.)
Oh, we are kindred spirits! I, too, go crazy at the garden center because of nostalgia. I’ve tried hens and chicks (how can you kill those?!), petunias (LONG vines with brown, wilty flowers on the end after a few weeks under my care), and even ivy dies on me! Heaven for people like us will be filled with NO-maintenance flowers and greenery everywhere!
ps–I do okay with fresh flowers until I figure out the horrible smell (after a week) is from the water I never changed!
Amen to your heaven idea!
You remind me…There is a putrid odor coming from my sad tulips. I guess they are out of here today!
Those paperwhites are gorgeous! I’ve never had any house plants or flowers, but I may have to take a stab at it this year