Just shy of the halfway point through Winter here, we are always seeking ways to bring Spring into the home...
While potted tulips, hyacinths and daffodils tickle one's fancy they are short-lived.
The early Spring edition of 'Country Gardens' has just the solution. The article I found most intriguing was the use of antique and vintage vessels, orphans you might say to start new African violet plants in.
Nurturing several in my windowsill, one of which is from a cutting my Grandmother had given 20 years previous they'll make perfect specimens to take from and have established in time for gift giving at Easter, May Day or Mother's Day...
I can hardly wait...
* Painting by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
Creamers, cups and cake plates from my collection of castoffs collected over time.
13 comments:
Miss Maddie,
What a wonderful way to herald Spring. Years ago I had over thirty African violets, the leaf size ranging as big as my hand(from finger tips to wrist) to the size of my pinkie finger nail. The were beautiful. But sadly they did not survive the move one cold January from an apartment to our house. They have a certain magic about them. I could easily see tiny fairies hiding among the petals.
Thanks for awakening my memory.
Donna
Oh I hope spring is on it's way!
Love
Lyn
xxx
What a beautiful idea for gifts! I know that it would thrill me to receive something so beautiful. I do adore african violets. My mother had dozens of them everywhere. Such a sweet little flower.
hugs
I love the idea of using the little bits and pieces from youe collection and filling them from existing plants. I have one lonely African Violet - left here by my DIL when the little family moved to Kingston. It sits in a very pretty pot that I bought her on one of my trips to the Shaw Festival!
Dear Susan...while you are seeking ways to bring Spring into your home I am desperately trying to hand on to Summer!!! How very pretty your 'castpffs' look...just delightful and oh so Spring!!! Enjoy the upcoming Season...Dzintra♥x
An inspiring post as ever Susan, with your beautifully composed vignettes. I love African violets, how lucky you are to have nurtured one for all this time! They will make wonderful gifts.
Jeanne x
Your violets are beautiful and look fabulous in those containers! My grandfather used to raise African violets so they have a special place in my heart:).
Blessings,
Kim
Oh Susan I love this idea.. and even more treasured is the cutting from your Grandmother. My beloved Grandma passed on last year about this time, and I've missed her so throughout this year~ I don't have any cuttings for her plants, but I do have a teacup from her. I think its calling for a primrose or violet right away. Thank you for passing the idea on to us. xxVicki
I can not imagine how wonderful it must be to have a cutting from your Grandmother's plant. What an amazing thing to have.
I do well with house plants however, I've never been successful with African Violet for some reason.
Wishing you a wonderful day,
Doreen
The violets are beautiful and such a lovely idea! Thank you for sharing! Another dreary, and gray day...so looking forward to the spring!
I adore this post and the banner is super sweet and stylish! I have my own card business and this would make a terric one! A lot of the the animal photos and children are my card subjects on collages. For some reason I have very few followers and comments so I'm really glad you "hello" Hugs, Jennifer
What pretty violets! I've just brought some pretty yellow primroses into the house to brighten things up. I think we all, wherever we live, just reach that cyclical point when we are ready to move on to the next season. I'm ready now! Ros
Miss Maddie,
I am a regular follower of your blog and was delighted to see that you enjoyed the article on African violets that I wrote for Country Gardens magazine! They have long been favorite houseplants and they look so lovely in china pieces. I hope more people will try pairing the two in their homes.
Kimber
Post a Comment