Bloom Day - December 15, 2012

Billbergia nutans

There are a few blooms in the indoor garden this December Bloom Day. The most unusual and noteworthy is the bloom of the Billbergia nutans or Queen's Tears. These blooms are lime green, pink, yellow and black light blue. They are just coming out. Really, nature does some magical color combinations doesn't she? This bromiliad is very easy to grow and thrives on neglect. Who wouldn't love these flowers? In addition to Queen's Tears, the begonias are blooming along with the abutilon, a pink poinsettia and an African violet in a terrarium.
Pretty standard blooms with the exception of The Queen. Outside, the frost is blooming. Frost on the ground, the grass, the seedheads and the heuchera leaves. Upon close examination I found a frost flower. Gail of Clay and Limestone fame posted about her large frost flowers on the Verbesina virginica here. I have been lusting after them since but this morning I did spy these tiny yet perfect frost flowers on the blue plumbago, Ceratostigma plumbaginoides. I would have missed them if Gail hadn't posted so recently about frost flowers. Thank you Gail. I am not sure how Bloom Day arrived so quickly after the last but thanks to Carol of May Dreams for hosting yet another BD.