Rewind

A blanket of icy white snow covers the front yard. According to local meteorologists, this week’s 5” of snow might be the largest snow total of the whole winter season. For Minnesota, that’s a shockingly low amount of snow to fall for what often feels like a six-month long season. Only last weekend, I spotted the tips of green daffodil leaves emerging above the semi-warm soil in the gardens near the house. I know they can survive snow, but can those fall-planted bulbs survive a longer-than-usual spring filled with above normal temperatures?

I spy sunrise just after 6 am, when I sit in the living room and sip my morning coffee. At night, when bringing the kids home from their after school activities, I notice the daylight sticks around longer and later. These are all good signs indicating that outdoor growing season will soon arrive.

I’ve collected some of my favorite flower photos for this month’s edition of Rewind. I hope wherever you are in the world, these flowers give you a boost today.

If you like the photos featured in this Roots & Vines newsletter, then check out my new online store. You can purchase both digital and print copies of selected flower photographs from my collection.

-Betsy

Dried strawflowers in afternoon light

This sweet bud vase came from a treasured friend, so I had to test it out with dried flowers from last year’s garden.

February flowers arranged as a small bouquet

I’ve been known to smell each bouquet of roses displayed at a local grocery store just to indulge in the scent of fresh flowers. I re-designed this Valentine’s Day arrangement, and it now sits on the kitchen table where we can all smell roses together.

Paper envelopes made from origami paper make the perfect container for seeds

Many wonderful online seed starting groups exist with the sole purpose of sharing and swapping seeds… for free. If a gardener whom I have never met is willing to trade their precious flower seeds with me, then the least I can do is send my seeds to them in a pretty paper envelope.

Dried amaranth on a February afternoon.

Dried amaranth contains so many textures that it’s hard not to get distracted by its charm when I’m working at my desk.

Garden planning rendered in watercolor.

In late winter, when I simply cannot stand the cold weather and drab landscape, I take out my watercolor set and begin designing the kitchen gardens. The renderings help me think through companion planting options while also considering the best way to pair flowers based on color and size.

Winter gardening with house plants

I have several holiday cacti growing throughout the house. Some blossom, but others do not. This cutting (now plant) came from my great-grandmother’s mother plant several decades ago.

ZZ Plant: An easy tropical plant to grow because it requires lower levels of light.

I have limited south-facing sunlight for house plants, so when I find a plant that tolerates northern light, I find a home for it.

Tradescantia, “Wandering Dude”

Tradescantia is an easy houseplant to care for and it produces beautiful lavender leaves that climb and bend toward the light.

Foliage and products featured in today’s essay: Strawflowers from Johnny Seeds. Tradescantia and assorted houseplants from Tonkadale Nurseries. Origami paper from Daiso.

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See you soon.

-Betsy