Summer this year has been a blast and it seemed to have flown by so quick! It almost felt like a party that started early but was so good that before you knew it it was morning the next day already.
Philodendron 'Xanadu'
Well the party doesn't have to stop, it can continue indoors.
Boxes and plastic bags are two of Twinkles' favorite things! Here she is 'helping' me tidy up!
As part of our winter preparation most (if not all) of our succulents in pots will have to go undercover during the winter. A large chunk of them will be in the greenhouses that will gently heated during the winter. A few will go in the sun room, to overwinter as well as serve a decorative purpose. Although we will be putting more this year compared to last year, only a limited amount of additional plants will be added the keep the area spacious.
But plenty enough to feel that we're surrounded by lots of beautiful plants whenever we go in there. And plenty enough interest to look at on winter days without having to venture outside.
Agave macroacantha which we got from Urban Jungle last month
x Mangave 'Bloodspot' - a tiny plant I got last year and has grown well since then
A couple of the three Agave 'Blue Glow' we have made it here, the other will be in the greenhouse. Can't get enough of this agave!
Agave desmettiana 'Joe Hoak' that was given to us by Gerhard of Succulents and More (thank you!!)
Agave weberi 'Arizona Star'
Agave 'Cornelius'
Agave lophantha 'Quadricolor'
Aloe vanbalenii which I just had to have when I saw it on Gail's blog Piece of Eden
Agave attenuata 'Ray of Light' - a tiny plant I acquired only a few months ago, it has grown to this size and looks pristine!
Some of the more tender succulents had to take priority, the ones I already know won't sail through in a greenhouse that will be maintained at a minimum +5C (at times slightly lower). But they have to look good too so they look decorative indoors and be pretty where they are. Rarity have to be factored in too of course, the more unusual ones could do with the extra assurance of survival by being kept in a warmer and bright environment during the winter.
Familiar faces, first is Agave toumeyana
Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan'
Agave colimana
Agave applanata 'Cream Spike'
Altogether now...well almost!
More familiar faces...
and more
Saying that, one or two of those I moved in have a good degree of hardiness already (like the Agave x nigra below) and perhaps not that unusual but to me they look so good that I just had to bring them in. Nice plants to keep us company during the winter.
On the left is Agave x nigra while on the right is the other Agave 'Blue Glow'
Now a little commercial break. The lovely people at Lechuza planters have sent us a couple of white high gloss planters for use in the sun room. They have a great selection of contemporary style pots that I had a hard time choosing which ones to go for, but eventually managed to pin it down to two 'quadro' pots.
The things that I like the most about their pots are that they are well designed, packaged, and comes in different components that makes it easy to maintain both the pot and the plant that goes in it. Do read more about the advantages of their pots on their website but the main thing they have is their easily maintained self watering system.
Now originally I was thinking of using it in the sun room but since most of the plants that will go in it are 'on the dry side in winter' loving (agaves and aloes), the self watering system won't be utilised. I will however use them in our lounge instead where the white high gloss finish will be at home too. All I need to do now is decide which plant to put in it. Decisions, decisions...
Now back to the sun room...
Some of the new faces, left to right: Agave ferox 'Variegata', Agave leopoldii 'Hammertime', and Agave multifilifera 'Variegata'
x Mangave 'Bloodspot' on both sides with Agave 'Blue Glow' in the middle
A x Graptoveria I acquired at Paul's plant sales a few weeks ago. The fabulous dish is a great memento of the Portland Fling!
Left to right: Aloe deltoideodonta x jucunda, Aloe 'Doren Black', and Aloe 'Kelly Blue'
I suppose adding more plants in there is all part of its mini makeover for this coming winter. A few more little changes will be made later on too like the cushions and the print on the wall just to add a bit more variety and interest, new things to look at for this winter.Sorting it out last week, all the more I can say how much I absolutely love white. They look great at any point of the year but reap loads of benefits from it during dull and dreary winter. And anything you put against it instantly becomes highlighted.
And color too. Colour is so vital in influencing ones mood especially during the winter. Grey outside and dark colours inside, ugh!
And most important of all, surround yourself with the things you love. Life is too short, if it's possible to surround yourself with lots of things you like, love, and enjoy then why not? In our case plants. They may not be all over the house like it used to but by adding a few more in the sun room it will give us incentive to spend more time there (than we do already) during the winter.
A place where the party continues!
Mark :-)
