Growing Season

It’s been unseasonably humid … hot, sticky, heavy.  While I like warmth, the sun - humid and heavy feels like a weight in my neck and shoulders that I’m not a fan of.  It’s also that time of year where flowers are starting to take off, to bloom.  I love flowers.  I’m also in a planting, growing state of being.  

While I have my planters on the balcony, I also have a series of indoor plants.  Which is a whole new vibe … I used to use Georgie as my excuse for not having indoor plants … I mean, she ate the Christmas tree every year - so, I’m not convinced she wouldn’t have gotten into my plants.  In fairness, I’m also not convinced she would have.  My apartment wasn’t really set up for them, they felt like work I wasn’t interested in doing etc. etc. etc. 

In my new place, I have the light, the space and also the interest.  I think not having the outdoor space is the reason … Whatever the reason, I went from no indoor plants to nine in a very short period of time.  And I’m not finished yet.  

I have a combination of flowering plants and greens, which I consider a good balance.  

I’ve been told hydrangeas and roses don’t do well indoors.  I’ve researched it and am getting mixed feedback.  They are two of my favourites, so I planted them anyway.  I’m going to test their hardiness myself. 

By test, I mean have blind faith they will thrive.  Understanding they need a period of rest, of dormancy before they come back to life again in the spring.  I can respect that.  I feel the hibernating vibe.  

I also have traditional indoor plants in the mix … A fig tree, money tree, friendship plant, jasmine, hibiscus, herbs, porthos and an orchid … Ok, so maybe not all traditional indoor plants, but in my head … Indoor plants. 

I did research for the placement based on the amount of light, placement with other plants versus on their own … I’ve read that orchids are like divas in that they like to feel special, to stand out while porthos do better when you practically forget they exist … we are about to find out.

If it sounds like I treat my plants like they are people, with personalities, needs, you’d be correct.  I do.  I talk to them, check on them, communicate my comings and goings, what I’m up to etc.  I did it with my garden, I did it with Georgie … They are living things, so, it’s a thing - or at least it’s my thing. 

I’m figuring out the watering, playing with placement for the plants that prefer more indirect light, and how to keep the pots with drainage holes from leaking water all over my floors.  Discovering water on the floor was panic inducing.  Good news, no water damage and we’ve got that sorted!

I’d like to get a few more plants for the kitchen.  Not a lot, just a few.  I’ve decided I like indoor plants.  But I appreciate they need care and I’m still figuring out the needs of all of them.  Which, if I’m honest, I read and then forget, so I need to re-read.  It’s not ingrained like the ones I had outdoors … I think I might need a cheat sheet - just until I really get to know them all better.  I really do want all of them to thrive.  That’s strangely important to me.  

What’s kind of funny … well, it’s actually hysterical to me … I am away at a friend’s trailer this weekend, sitting on her deck, in the shade, while she’s at an owners meeting, surrounded by fake plants.  Even in the planters.  I was admiring the trailing flowers in the planter across from me when I realized I was admiring a fake plant!  Hilarious!  At least it explains how she keeps them looking so healthy!

Laughs. 

While I’m not a fan of fake plants myself, I appreciate the colours and placement, very well played!

Ultimately it’s one of the reasons I like flowering plants … The pops of colour, the texture, the faint scent, just like everything else in my life … Plants are layered, create movement and depth … I love everything about that!

As I sit here on the deck, enjoying the breeze, the warmth, the pops of colour from the fake plants … I’m grateful I like planting.  That I learned the importance of daily care, patience while they take root and settle before they thrive.  (Side note: it may be one of the few places I exercise patience). 

While I miss my garden, my poppies, russian sage, butterfly bushes, lilies, peonies, roses and hydrangeas … There is a sense of pride in knowing I planted them, cared for them, waited for them to produce flowers and watched them fill out, grow, and take over the garden in a good way.  

Admittedly they did the hard work … But I gave them the environment and the nourishment they needed.  

I’m starting over, from scratch … I can create that environment again, find a way to beat the odds and enjoy some of my favourites in a new way.

We are growing together …