Bloom Day January 2011-Hedgehog Aloe and Bulbs!

Hedgehog Aloe Bloom

Ever see a hedgehog aloe (Aloe humilis 'Hedgehog') bloom? Me neither but I think it is pretty cool; especially since blooms are fairly nonexistent here in my home and garden in January. You might be like me and wonder what the heck is a hedgehog aloe? I asked myself the same question last March when I came upon some great specimens at the Nashville Lawn and Garden Show. The price was right so a pot came home with me that very day. The aloe was easy to divide so some snippets of my plant went home with my companions-shhh-it's a secret-save money by buying a big plant then sharing with your friends.

The aloe spent the summer outside receiving little to no attention from me. What a trooper it was in the full sun and dry conditions we experienced last summer. As the weather cooled I brought the aloe inside and set it on a plant stand in my living room. Walking by it one day I noticed a few stalks. Huh? What is that I thought? It took a few months but finally the bloom has shown itself. I won't go so far as to say the bloom is pretty but I do love the color. 

I also have some paperwhites blooming in the kitchen. These are splendid bulbs for growing inside the house and I so enjoy the smell, though the Jimster states they smell like cat pee. I don't see where he gets this idea at all.

From In the Garden

From In the Garden

Lastly I have some hyacinths that are very close to blooming. I purchased both the paperwhites and hyacinths as mark down bulbs at the end of the season. I had the hyacinth forcing vases left over from last year (purchased from Rural King in a kit for a mere $1 per!) The hyacinths are doing fabulously and will soon begin perfuming my computer room. I really enjoy any blooms inside the house this time of the year when it is so drab outside.

 
There isn't much else blooming inside the house and nothing is blooming outside. I am surprised there is nothing blooming outside because by this time last year the mahonia was blooming. It is nowhere close this year. The greenhouse has several blooms but I'll be talking about it and those plants in a later post so for now I just want to wish you many blooms....


in the garden....this cold January day.


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In the Garden