of princesses and kangaroo paws

Now that my tender plants are in the house I have more time to really pay attention to them.  I've been noticing how they look, taking stock of their sizes, and what flower buds might still persist. 

I'm very pleased with how my princess flower, Tibouchina urvilleana, is blooming.  One by one, the buds have opened to reveal the perfectly delicate, purple flowers.  They are as soft and velvety as the leaves.  The best thing about growing this plant inside is its tolerance for drought, which means I don't have to water it frequently.  Our friends in south Florida can enjoy this plant year round outdoors, that is to say that it's hardy there. 

Kangaroo paws was a new one for me this year.  I saw it at the garden center on the sale table for $5.  It was a no brainer purchase.  The real question was how many I was going to buy (just one).  Anigozanthos 'Bush Pearl', an Australian native wildflower, bears vibrant, candy pink flowers.  Aptly named, the flowers are that of the shape of a kangaroo's paw.  I'm really enjoying the grass like foliage, and the way the flower bud stems come out of the ends much like how a tradescantia flowers, only longer.  Does that make sense?

As I was drawing the mini blinds on the window the other night, I noticed the biggest surprise of all: flower buds on my Thai Crown of Thorns.  I purchased this plant after having seen it the previous year at the Philadelphia Flower Show.  My friend John purchased one (I actually think he bought more than that!), but I just could not drop $20 for a little 4" potted plant.  Thinking that I could maybe find it somewhere at my local garden center, I decided to wait.  Well, I had not seen it anywhere. 

The trip to Philly Flower Show was coming back around again, and I knew we were going.  Sure enough that same vendor was in the exact same spot selling her Thai Crown of Thorns and other unusual plants.  I was torn.  I would be taking a chance if I did not buy it then and there, knowing that I still might not be able to find it.  So, there I was trying to make a decision.  I was prepared to pay the $20 for it.  But, there was a bonus!  She remembered us from the year before.  An unusual circumstance, actually, was what made her remember us, but I digress.  Anyway, she gave me a discount.  I was stoked.  It was only 10% off, but I didn't care; any amount off was enough to make me happy about it.  Now, it's about to produce flowers.  I remember being impressed by how much it grew for me this summer.  I've kept it on the dry side, and used a lot of perlite in the soil, especially at the top.  Tada!