"Oh the weather outside is frightful...." Well, not really, but that's how the song goes! The backyard has actually been quite beautiful after several recent snowfalls. It's not quite so "postcard perfect" right now but don't these photos just make you want to sing "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...."
I'm not the biggest fan of the winter season, but I do love these gentle snowfalls when the snow sticks to the trees and turns the backyard into a winter wonderland. It doesn't take too long for the novelty to wear off though, and that's when I love being able to turn my attention to some indoor beauty.
Coming downstairs in the morning and seeing this beauty blooming on my windowsill just puts a big smile on my face. I have amaryllis in several different colors, but this new one is my current favourite. It's name is "Flamenco Queen" and it was a new purchase this fall. You pay more for a larger bulb, but it is SO worth it.
It was already sprouted when I bought it in mid November. I potted it up and after about a week, it just took off! The first stalk, seen here, had five blossoms. We are now enjoying the second stalk with four blossoms and there is a third shoot, about 15" tall right now, so more blossoms still to come. Definitely worth the few extra dollars I paid for the larger bulb. As you can see the petals are a deep red on white, mottled on the upper petals and spotted on the lower, with a bright green centre. How perfect for Christmas!!
What a joy to look at such delicate beauty each day. The blooms are large and the current stalk is so tall I had to tie it up for support. Right now it is 32.5" from the top of the bulb to the tip of the blooms! I wonder if the third stalk will be even taller?!
Another amaryllis (a pure red, I think) is budded and growing quickly, I think it will bloom before the third stalk on Flamenco Queen. The bud is just starting to break open, so I think the timing will be just about perfect for a big red blossom on Christmas Day! I bet Santa will love it!
I am linking up with Judith's Mosaic Monday here. Do drop by and see all the lovely seasonal mosaics.
Peace,
Linda
"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." ~ Norman Vincent Peale
14 comments:
Your snow is beautiful!! We haven't had any yet, and are actually expecting record-breaking warm temperatures for Christmas Eve. No white Christmas for us this year. Merry Christmas!
What a beautiful flower! I love these but it's been years since I had one. Merry Christmas sweet friend. Have a joyous week! Hugs, Diane
Wonderful, festive photos, dear Linda! I admire, with envy, especially your macro shots. :)
Wishing you and your loved ones a most blessed Christmas and a happy new year! ♥
Merry Christmas, Linda. I haven't had an amaryllis in years and yours are beautiful...not so the snow! I hope I don't see ANY this year. Wishful thinking.
Seriously, your pictures ARE beautiful.
xx, Carol
All so pretty ! It is nice to have blooms in the house this time of year isn't it ? ! Not a lick of snow here this year just lots of rain and aren't to be getting any snow for Christmas and are to be getting record breaking warm temps . Not our usual Ontario Christmas that's for sure ! I need some snow for Christmas just doesn't feel the same with out it ! Thanks for sharing , Hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas .
Lovely photos of snow. The amaryllis is a beauty. I didn't get one this year but maybe I'll find one in the next couple of days.
Have a great Christmas.
Hi Linda. I've missed your blog posts. It was nice to wake up to a winter wonderland this morning again. What a pretty snowfall last night...at least up here on the ridge. ;) Your Amaryllis is gorgeous! Wow. I've never bought a single large bulb before as I always get the 'bulb in a box' with the pot and coir. Mine is getting tall and has a bud which should open by new year's day. I wish you a wonderful Christmas (a green one at that!). Hugs. Pam
Such lovely photos of the snow and amaryllis. We hardly have any snow so far and I keep hoping we get more soon so that I can go cross country skiing. In spring I put my amaryllis bulbs in the garden but forgot to take them out this fall before we got hit with frost so sadly none of them made it. I certainly enjoyed seeing yours though. Have a very Merry Christmas!
You have a magnificent green thumb! I love the amaryllis and your gorgeous backyard.
Merry Christmas, Linda!
Hello, your Amaryllis is just gorgeous. Lovely images. Merry Christmas to you and your family. I wish you a very happy New Years!
How fabulous are those flowers....beautiful! Several years ago the choir to which I belonged sang "Adieu, Sweet Amaryllis", an oldie but a goodie (as they say on radio) from the 1600s. Love the snowy back yard pics too, they will make us feel cooler here in our heat waves!
Long story, I'm not in my own home this holiday but looking at your beautiful amaryllis has decided me to try one next year. I no longer have my companion (Sadie the cat) and was afraid of plants in the house cause she snacked on anything that wasn't plastic. I also have a black thumb. But having something so beautiful to look at would be heaven.
Merry Christmas to you, love your blog, and the beautiful pictures you share. I'm thinking Canada must be beautiful.
Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year Linda from Newfoundland i to have a Amaryllis,and am eagerly waiting for it too flower Hopeing by Christmas Day.
I enjoyed your amaryllis Linda as I stopped growing them when we decided to go to Florida the end of January each year. They are a nice hostess gift at this time of year, so easy to care for.
Merry Christmas.
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