tropical

Houseplant Order from Glasshouse Works: Fluffy Ferns!!!

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Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Suzi Wong’.

Many moons ago I had a large, fluffy, and lovely ‘Suzi Wong’ fern—but then I neglected it. Take my advice, this is NOT a houseplant that likes to be ignored or forgotten.

Before you know it, the thing will look entirely toasted if you’re not paying attention, and you will regret it. High humidity and lovingly caring for its every need are what work best for this fine-looking specimen houseplant.

This time around my little princess is going to make it because she’s a beauty and I’m going to give her what she deserves.

The three ferns I recently purchased from Glasshouse Works.

For years I’ve regularly ogled the lists of plants offered by Glasshouse Works. Then a few years ago I ordered plants from them, but I hadn’t done so since that time.

This past month I started to think about Suzi again, so I looked her up. Of course! Glasshouse Works sold them, and they had the impossible-to-find ‘Verona Lace’ fern too. Yes!

Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Suzi Wong’.

As you can see, the delicate ‘Suzi Wong’ fern has already been a bit neglected by me. Since I plan to finally pot her up this week—and am dedicated to giving her whatever will keep her happy—I think this time I’ll succeed. Hopefully in a few more years I’ll be divining this plant.

We will see.

Protoasparagus plumosus aka Asparagus setaceus.

Admittedly, they sent me an extra (free) plant and I never checked back with them to see if it was some kind of mistake. (I swear they did NOT know I was a blogger.)

Was I pleased? Of course!!!

An Asparagus fern for me? Why yes! Thank you!

Protoasparagus plumosus aka Asparagus setaceus.
I had one of these plants before too but let’s add this to the litany of confessions today: I neglected it. That’s sad since the last one I had was grown from seed.
Sometimes I am a horrible plant mommy.
Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Verona Lace’.

The other jewel in my order was the ‘Verona Lace’ fern. Ok, I may have killed one of these in the past but it was before I had indoor lights for my plants. Anyway, it’s an absolutely graceful and serene fern. I have only seen one mature plant at my old employer’s home and it was the most enchanting thing. It drapes. It sways. It chops the air. It’s legend. (It’s also famous for growing very slowly, hence, it’s rarity.)

Overall, I give Glasshouse Works a huge double thumbs up! I’m a huge lover of houseplants and they offer so many that are really difficult to find. Check them out if you haven’t already.

(PS: Where do you like to shop for houseplants and tropicals online? They also specialize in a lot of terrarium plants but I’m looking for some Begonias. Thoughts?)

Volunteer Park Conservatory (Seattle): Part Five, The Bromeliad House

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This—the last room on this visit we’ve been having for about a week now—is the Bromeliad House.

Dischidia ‘Thailand Blush’.
I am sorry I don’t know as much about these plants as I’d like to, but in my home, they are simply too difficult to care for and that always complicates things. I’d love to take them on, but maybe I will have to let a few other plants die first. Yes, I said that.
Air plants are everywhere here, but there are other plants too.
There is a different kind of Staghorn Fern and…
more and more of the Tillandsia and other Bromeliads.
I found some lovely blooms though.
Aechmea warasii variegata.
This was a nice view but it reminded me of The Muppets for some reason. Maybe I’m tiring of calling everything Seussian?
There was a musical artwork made by an artist from Portland, Oregon installed overhead and it was really kind of nice in that it wasn’t really overdone or obtrusive. It complemented the whole atmosphere.

As the musical chimes played I admired blooms nearby and listened to the melodic tones.

Agapetes ‘Ludgvan Cross’.
I like these plants more and more whenever I see them. They look like hand-painted China and are so stimulating to the eye.
Agapetes ‘Ludgvan Cross’.

Before I left I walked around outside admiring the beds of annuals. It was such a nice way to relax and clear my mind before heading back home to Portland.
I don’t know much about this aspect of their work here at the Volunteer Park Conservatory, but when plants are confiscated from people trying to ship them in or out of the country illegally this is where they are sent. I was happy to know they didn’t necessarily just wind up in a garbage can somewhere. Not that I have thought about this a lot but…
Maybe the seeds I accidentally attempted to import legally that were on the DO NOT IMPORT list ended up here and are out back in their plant pokey? If so, I hope they’re doing well. I am just relieved that the only harm I caused myself was the worry about where my seeds had gone. I had no idea they were being held up because of my mistake. Note to self: Order more carefully next time.