Village Condominium Association

Indoor Gardens
By J. F. Weiler

When the leaves have fallen and frosts have turned to snow it is time for the indoor flower and herb garden. The Amaryllis with its brilliantly colored tropical flowers is my favorite bulb to combat the winter blahs.

Originally from South America, the Amaryllis bulb has been imported since 1700 and is now available in 70 hybrid varieties. With names like Amigo (red petals), Aphrodite (white petals with red lines) and Ambiance (bold red and white striped petals) they are hard to resist.

The bulbs take about 8 weeks to grow and flower. The bulb sits bare, seemingly forever, and then will grow an inch a day! The seven-inch flowers are heavy and need to be staked. Sometimes referred to as the Belladonna Lily, the Amaryllis bulbs are available from most garden supply stores, including Home Depot.

An indoor herb garden of Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme will keep your gardener’s thumb green and enhance your meals. These herbs have been valued since medieval times as noted in the folk song “Scarborough Fair.” (Some gardeners claim herbs grow best with a daily dose of Simon & Garfunkel.)

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a biennial, yet tastes best the first year. Good sunlight will keep the plants from becoming leggy. They use up water quickly, so keep them moist. Some people like to provide them with liquid plant food. In outdoor summer gardens, Parsley will attract insects that will help protect nearby tomato plants. Parsley has many vitamins including Vitamin K, and the ancient Romans believed that Parsley enhanced digestion. Potted herbs are available from the Wilson Farm Garden Shop.

To enjoy the company of other gardeners, visit the Waltham Garden Club’s monthly meetings at the American Legion Hall, 215 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham. Their next meeting will be on November 17th at 7 p.m. They will also offer a fall workshop on floral arrangements on the 17th. For more information contact Nancy at 617-673-8708 or e-mail her at ndercole@brighthorizons.com.