United Nations Of Flowers

After work last night I worked in the garden.  Thunder was booming, the skies were dark, it was raining elsewhere. To the south of us, to the east of us, people were running  wildly into apartment buildings and bookstores.  They were buying umbrellas for $5.00 from street corner vendors, they were covering their heads with newspapers.  Here, I was still watering and looking wistfully up into the sky.  Nothing.

The flowers glow in this strange light.  I'm reminded why I every spring I buy a white mandevilla vine.

And a gardenia.

.

 

And why the white echinacea are my favorite.

But my most favorite of all is this little succulent (?) with it's tiny, intense purple blooms. 

We had it in this pot last year and to our extreme delight it has returned.  Does anyone know it's name?  I would like to know how to address it as I whisper sweet nothings in its ear.

Thank you all for participating in Flowers In The House.  And thanks to all who couldn't attend but sent regrets.  We hope to see you next month.

We've been christened by Marie at 66 square feet.  She proclaimed us a global floral chain.  The chain has expanded to include South Africa and  another gardener from Brooklyn.  Australia chimed in as did Ireland and of course England, plus many American friends and one from Canada.  Our very own floral united nations.  Let's see what other countries we can get to join us next month.  I know there are flowers in many casas we haven't visited yet.  Here's to inclusion.

 xo Jane

My Secretive Garden

Here in the states a strange holiday called Professional Administrators Day came hard on the heels of Easter.  It's actually been changed from day to week since the bosses have to remember to make the calls to request flowers for the people who take care of their business all year long. This can cause problems.  Sometimes they have their wives call.  If I catch the phone I suggest to the wives they might want to get a little something for themselves too, since they're doing the actual ordering......

Anyhoo, after 2 days of this I came crawling home and wanted to hide in the house until I was presentable and able to face conversation.  But as I sank down on my doorstep to check out the mail, I realized I was totally hidden from view and surrounded by glorious scents. Directly in from of me was a broom in full bloom, far too big for its space, but a fantastic shield.
 

 Over to my immediate left is a delightfully invasive patch of the pink lily of the valley, wafting sweetness my way.

And to top it off, to the right is a gardenia topiary I plopped in a pot on Sunday. Blooming away and smelling like the 3rd circle of heaven.

I ducked inside, got my book and the Lab, and we hung out until we were all chill and ready to face the world again.

Is this what they mean by aroma therapy?  Because I'm smiling again.