Do you long for a bit of spring? I do. As much as I’m enjoying the cold and nesting inside, a part of my mind has already moved on to what I want to do in my gardens this year. Especially now that all those lovely seed catalogs are arriving!
Yesterday it was a bit warmer (today it’s going to be in the 40’s and tomorrow low 50’s-yippee!) and I took a stroll around my yard and noticed that some of my Jonquils are starting to poke through the cold frozen earth. You can just see the tippy tops!
Every year I force (tricking them into blooming earlier than they normally would) bulbs so that I can get a bit of an early spring. I do the easy ones, Hyacinths, Crocus, Paper Whites, and Amaryllis. I don’t try Tulips anymore. I find them difficult because they need a long chilling period and I can’t be bothered. I always buy a few pots of forced Tulips at the grocery store (my Kroger already has them) instead.
The silver pots that look sort of like Mercury Glass were purchased at Target’s after Christmas clearance. One is an Amaryllis and one is Paper White Narcissus. They always have these bulb kits availble during Christmas and I always buy them AFTER Christmas! I think I paid $5 for the pot, dirt & bulbs. A good deal seeing how I can use the pots all year long.
The blooms are beginning to open! It’s only been a little over two weeks since I potted these up. So it’s not too late to start now. Especially those of you who have long winters. I was in Home Depot a few days ago and they still had bulb kits (pots, dirt, bulbs) on clearance.
The Amaryllis will take longer. But the Hyacinth has already bloomed. Hyacinths have THE most wonderful fragrance!
Here’s my little indoor bulb garden so far. What a joy to have a taste of spring when it's so cold outside.
I put my little Jonquils in one of my soup tureens ( I’ve never served soup in ANY of my tureens!)
Just a bit of spring indoors to keep me going until I can get outside. Do you force bulbs too?
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71 comments:
Ohhhh, very pretty. I think every home, no matter the season, is a bit more lovely for a touch of spring. I tried forcing bulbs years ago...paperwhites...awful smelling things so I was glad to know that some of your flowers smell wonderful. They certainly look wonderful!
OH, MANUELA!...Where do I start?! = ) WHAT LOVELY photos! I am just sitting here taking in the beauty...hungering to be in your living room, frankly! = ) But more hungering to have that lovely garden in MY living room!
1. I LOVE the soup tourine idea! I have two antique china tourines...one from my Nani and another from a dear friend that I NEVER use either. Definitely love that idea!
2. What is the color on your walls? I WANT that color in my living room...or even in my kitchen. I'm looking at colors lately to paint the walls come spring and I LOVE that color!
3. Hyacinths are BY FAR my FAVORITE spring scent! First one of the season! Delightful!
Thanks, Manuela, you just made my day!
(Oh, I was also going to say that Blogger seems to be having a bit of difficulty getting posts to refresh... You posted on my blog at 12:08; it's now 12:55; your new post has not yet showed up on my blogroll. I find this frustrating. But then one on my blogroll never refreshes even though she writes daily.)
P-R-E-T-T-Y........Already thinking Spring, my favorite season. :-)
Lovely. Your home is so beautiful. It must be a real pleasure to hang out in.
They look wonderful and I'll bet they smell as sweet. I have an amaryllis ready to pop myself.
Check it out!
Leann
They look so pretty! I have never tried to force bulbs, but is on my long wish list of to do projects!
Thanks for the great inspiration!!
Oh Manuela...what a gorgeous table...I adore the soup tureen overflowing with flowers!!!
Thanks for bringing a touch of spring into our lives...beautiful!!!
Enjoy!!!
XOXO
Cathy
I don't force any bulbs. They are beautiful, but look very difficult and intimidating to me. The only thing I force is my children when it's time to eat their vegetables.
They are beautiful!
Your flowers are beautiful, but I'm not that anxious for Spring yet. In Colorado, surprisingly we have had a pretty mild winter. We'll get hit in March, no doubt!! Sally
I really need to do that. I'm so ready for warmer weather.
Should warm up this week then rain on Saturday oh well!
lovely lovely.
i bought two of those mercury glass pots too when they were on sale. my bulbs are still on their two week stay in the garage. they've not shown much progress. but, i will have two lovely pots for decorating either way.
you inspire me...
Thanks for the info, they look so lovely, you always seem to have that magic touch! Cindy
they look so pretty!!!
Love, love the flowers! It makes me crave spring! We have been having some really cold weather here in Florida too.
I never have but they look so pretty and I really could use a little spring in my life right now! I'm going out shopping tomorrow so I will stop at Home Depot and see if ours has any kits.
Hi, Manuela!
Haven't said "hi" in a while, but just HAD to after seeing your pretty bulbs. Had to laugh about your soup tureen ... I don't serve soup from mine, either .... but flowers, seashells, etc ... such great all purpose containers!
Sending hugs your way ..
Betty :)
ps everyone should be reminded how EASY this is to do and your comment about after Christmas sales is spot on! My paperwhites are getting a little tired, maybe I should get another pot or two ..?
What a super idea. Love all the pretty flowers and the pots. Your coffee table looks just fabulous. Hugs, Marty
Such beautiful photos today Manuela! The light streaming across the flowers - so perfect! I didn't force any bulbs this year, and now I am so wishing I did. I'll just have to keep looking at your lovely pictures. - Julie
I'm new to gardening, so I've never really heard of forcing bulbs. Yours are so beautiful, expecially in those silver pots! I couldn't get away with doing them though, since I have cats that eat even the fake flowers I have around.
Beautiful!! I would love to have those flowers in my living room to chase away the winter gray.
My favorite flowers and they look so beautiful! Maybe I can use the idea?
I love the fresh "life" the spring blooms bring to your home. I am coveting your silver pots!
Maybe I will buy one of those kits. I had one in my hand, but I don't have a green thumb.
I have not done that but this little bit of Spring here sure makes me want to go to the store! I just want those blooms to last longer...I do love flowers but I'm not very good at it! Thanks for the beauty! Come say hi :D
So pretty! I love the mirror that the pots are set upon, what a great idea! I have never forced spring bulbs inside before, but I may have to try this now!
Blessings,
Stacey
Just lovely Manuela. I tried this once, however mine did not turn out as lovely as yours. I may have to give it another try.
Your soup tureen is also very nice. You always seem to have that magic touch.
Thanks for sharing!
Hard to believe, but I've never forced bulbs. I only started buying bulbs a few years ago. Your room looks so lovely and cozy, Manuela! I just want to crawl through the monitor screen and come visit. I just love what you've got the bulbs in too!
Brenda
SO Beautiful!
Amazing, springs feels!!!
Hugs
Charo
I just love the jonquils in the tureen and the silver pots! I need some flowers this time of year. NEED THEM! I forces paperwhites one year and had to throw them out, I thought they smelled like fish! Maybe it was the variety I bought, but I had always heard how nice they smelled and I just couldn't believe the stench. I stick to tulips and primroses now:>)
Beautiful flowers - Thanks for sharing your touches of Spring. Not sure exactly what the temps got up to today, but it was actually bearable.
I want to go find some bulbs now! Love yours and I am like you I use my soup tureens for everything but soup! I can't wait for spring to dig in the soil! Beautiful!
Your coffee table tray is phenomenal! Did you make that?!
I received some seed catalogs today as well and can't wait to get out into the greenhouse but alas...it'll be a few months yet before the temperatures stay above zero.
The photos are lovely and make me long for spring.
xx
So pretty! It makes me so much happier when I can see flowers and know that Spring is coming. Winter is a hard, cold time. Very cheerful and happy Manuela!
XOX
Jen
Flowers brightens a home... Your photos are just beautiful!
Beautiful! This cheers me up on this cold winter day!
Manuela, oh, be still my heart. May I just sit here? Gorgeous!!
Barb
Wow, look at that sunshine streaming in!! Your room is gorgeous and a garden inside is a perfect way to bring a little spring to winter!
Melissa
SOOOO beautiful Manuela!! Your home looks like something from a magazine! How wonderful to invite spring indoors as you have done...everything is so bright and cheerful.
Blessings,
Camille
So beautiful...thank you for adding a touch of spring to a rainy day here in the Northwest!
Blessings!
~Nadine
How beautiful!
I planned to force bulbs with my daughters last spring, as part of their science curriculum but we never got around to it.
We may have to try this year. I'm always anxious for flowers when we return from visiting the g'parents in FL. That might be a good motivator to get it done.
Those all look so BEAUTIFUL!! I can't have real plants inside because my cats would tear them up. I'll just look at yours!♥
Beautiful, just beautiful. I love hyacinths and paperwhites myself. We always buy the forced tulips, too, because you're right - they are TOO much of a pain. :)
I am SO ready for spring. Just sun would be great. LOL
Oh how you make me wish for spring! Your flowers are beautiful and you home must feel so cheerful! I agree with you...yipee for the 50 degree temps this weekend! =)
I have never tried to, but always wanted to. They look so beautiful and the containers are perfect. Love the tureen!
oh I totally LOVE these bulbs. I am running to homedepot tomorrow to see what I can find. Thanks for the inspiration!
What a lovely post. I always wanted to try, but haven't.
Most Beautiful! Manuela.
Just a wonderful hint of Spring.
I have to show Sweet Daughter your pillow collection! She thinks it just her mom who has so many, even after giving half of them away. Mostly to her!
Donna
Just beautiful Manuela. Mine are blooming outside already. I don't do tulips either because we get so hot during the summer it just cooks them right in the ground and we don't get cold enough during the winter. The lilac is already budding also. Your house is just beautiful. Be sure to check my blog post today. :)
Oh I do hunger for a bit of spring... me and the girls may try this.
Patricia
What a beautiful post, Manuela! So inspiring and classic. The flowers are perfect in the tureens, and the mirrowed tray on your coffee table looks so pretty against your white sofa! Love it all, thanks for the inspiration!
Your bulbs look gorgeous the way you have them displayed. I love the grouping on the mirror and I love the daffodils in the tureen. I confess that I always have good intentions but usually just enjoy the bulbs out in the garden.
I must have been living under a rock because I didn't realize you could grow them like this inside! I always see the fake ones in decor stores but never realized bulbs could be forced inside like this! HOW BEAUTIFUL :D
Hi Manuela!
These are all soo pretty and refreshing to the eye as well as the spirit! Thank you! :)
Warmly,
Tracey
P.S. Love, love, love that you used your after~Christmas sale mercury/type glass containers for this!! Brilliant, as always!xox
I am drooling over these photos! Love the bulbs tabletop vignette and I just love all the photos. That sofa is on my list for 2010!
The blooms and containers are wonderful. I wonder if I can still find some bulbs.
Manuela, I love your bulb garden on your coffee table. That photo should be in a magazine! You've inspired me. I'm going to see if I can find a couple of kits. laurie
Oh how wonderful, I dearly needed that breath of spring and your indoor garden room is beautiful! K
That is just beautiful!
I had all sorts of plans for enjoying bulbs this winter and the local shop where I usually get them didn't carry them this year!
Oh, I looooove paperwhites!
Those are so pretty! Love that you never use your soup tureens for soup! =-D
Recently, I bought forced tulips from the store - inexpensively - and love to have something beautiful growing inside during these cold months. I would LOVE a whole table full of them like you've got, though!!
How lovely, Manuela! I did this once many years ago and I think I should try it again.
BEAUTIFUL! I've been looking for bulbs everywhere to force, but everyone keeps saying they're not in yet. Yet? I always bought them for Fall planting, but missed the boat this time around.
Going to check the clearance at Home Depot.
Thanks for sharing!
OH! Manuela, they are beautiful! Your home looks so bright and springy! I am going to try this! Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh sooo pretty. I'm going to look for some at my grocery store. We're knee deep in snow and I'm needing the reminded that Spring is around the cornere.
Oh, I so want those! I think I have the winter blues, and am hating my decor right now. I think I might have to do the forcing bulbs to cheer me up...good idea!
I just love blooming bulbs indoors this time of year. In fact growing hyacinth and somehow forgetting and thinking I planted tulips is how I came up with my blog name.
I just found your blog from Nesting Place. Glad I did. :)
I can almost smell your flowers. I love to force bulbs but I didn't this year. I really start to need some green about now!
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