My poor Kristi-Vera is struggling a bit, too. She aborted her scape but that's okay :-) She will be a lovely treat next year! I love all of your pics and I'm so glad you had Christmas in Cali. That would be my vacation of choice :-) Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!

Wonderful photos, Kristi... thanks for rushing with the posting! The Hippis are all gorgeous, as they always are... but what really has me going is the photo of Laguna Beach! Wow! What a scene! I'd give up a lot right now to be standing on that beach...

I adore that AV! Green is my flower color of choice... I find it so intriguing. In a wavering second alto... "Greensleeves was all my joy!" :-)

Thanks for sharing... wonderful spread!

Whenever I hear Greensleeves I think of Snickers. Oh, come on. You know what I'm talking about. When they're all in the car singing Greensleeves?? Okay, okay. I'll shut up :-)

That's exactly what I was thinking about, Larissa! That name reminded me of the song they sing... the king says he was serenaded by minstrels when he would eat... and they all break out in a rather strange rendition of "Greensleeves"!

Kristi... I wanted to ask you... what's the plant in the lower right hand corner of the froggy picture? The one with the pointed leaves? It's interesting looking!

It's cuttings that I started yesterday from my friend's geranium...I think it's called Centennial. The leaves have rust/red colorations and it's grown for the foliage, not the flower.

Also, for you Jodi and Kitty, once the AV takes off, I'll be more than happy to send you leaves to start.

I don't know the Snickers commercial...sounds funny!
:-)
K

Is it a Martha Washington type geranium? It looks very intriguing, although I normally don't do geraniums... unless they're the perennial type for the garden, or a few zonals for patio pots. It's really got nice leaves, though!

Thanks for the offer of AV leaves, Kristi... unfortunately, I never have luck starting them from leaves. I've currently got just one AV, and it's not doing well, at all! I tried to cure a long neck, and it just got worse. I think it's about nearing time to throw it on the compost pile... if I can't get this thing to root properly once spring arrives, it's a goner. I will say that for a long time, it bloomed wonderfully for me, and it made the move from up north quite well, but once it became too tall in its pot, I knew it was only a matter of time... they're just not plants that do well for me, though they are very lovely. I've read everything I can about rooting cuttings, and I've followed every instruction I found or was told... they just don't like me!

I'll post a photo of my poor little guy when I put up the next batch of pictures... you'll see what I mean! Technically, I should be able to get two plants out of this one, but I know what will happen... they'll both die. It's inevitable.

I have tried to start AV leaves 3 times and have ended up with 3 plants!! I discovered the "violet pots" last year. The kind with an unglazed pot that sits in a glazed pot to keep the soil moist at just the right level.

Don't throw it out!! I'll pay the postage!! Send it to my home for unwanted plants! (I am going to be in HUGE trouble next month as we are moving to a new office on Feb 9th and they are NOT "allowing" us to take any "personal effects" until we have been given guidelines on what is appropriate. They had the nerve to tell people to take home photos of their children and dogs and not bring them back!!). At this point, I'm happy to have a job, but GEEZ!!! I have over a dozen plants at the office including a now HUGE Chinese evergreen that I saved from the dumpster after the plant maintenance people trashed the plants from the lobby that didn't look perfect. GREENHOUSE>>>>HURRY UP!
;-)
K

I've got to get my butt in gear... I've been having too much fun sitting at my computer, posting and surfing... when I get finished with my kennel chores, and if there's no supply shopping trip decided on, I'll post photos of my poor little AV. Then, if you truly want it, I'd be thrilled to send it. At least I know it will have a good home! Gimme a couple of hours... :-)

I'm in same boat. Still in PJs at 14:00!!! I need to walk across the street to gather newspapers that neighbor took in for me. Need to wrestle up a token "thank you" for that!

Laundry needs folding and living room needs dusting. Just sorted through 100s of pieces of sea glass that friend gave me for Christmas...and ideas for necklaces, bracelets, etc are spinning through my head.

Need to "GOMB" too!
:-)
K

Kristi -- Your "Vera" is actually Apple Blossom, =)

I love "Greensleeves" and the frog is absolutely adorable! =) Is there anything for him/her to eat in your patio? I love the "Red Nymph"; gorgeous.

In regards to the President Johnson -- I would give it another season; but so far, the red color lining is definitely not up to par with where it should be. President Johnson is suppose to be almost identical to 'Picotee' in terms of the picotee edgings.

Thanks for sharing! Your kitchen group shot makes me smile.

Great...Apple Blossom....WHAAAAAA!!
I did go back and look at the photo of Vera, and this of course is nothing like Vera! It's from K. Van Bourgondien & Sons and so I have drafted an e-mail complete with photos asking for a replacement. Larissa......you might get "stuck" too. It wasn't intentional!! RATS!!
Of course, I ordered the Evergreen bulbs from the same place and they were simply marvelous.

Sounds like another season of mislabled bulbs....Larissa's the winner so far!
:-?
K

Yup -- so sorry to hear about the mislabeling. I know 'Apple Blossom' when I see it (I have five) and yours is 100% not 'Vera'. If you put your nose to the flower, you should be able to smell a slight scent. The flower looks a bit stressed though; it will look marvelous next season.