Clivia

Day 131: Who needs Amaryllis when you can have Clivia instead? Okay, the plant has to be at least seven years old before it will flower (and this one was closer to 12), but it holds its foliage all year long and you don't have to fuss with providing any special care for the bulb. Clivias can be set outdoors in the summer, but they are also entirely comfortable with life on a shelf indoors as long as they're in a cool room during the winter. They prefer partial shade if outdoors, a north or west window if they're to be raised as houseplants as mine is. They are available in a variety of colours in the white/yellow/orange range, with some being more expensive than others. And they're not cheap these days! Fortunately, I got mine before they became something of a fad. This plant has been in bloom for over a month now, brightening the Loom Room when I look up from my weaving. It still has a couple of buds hiding beneath the open ones.