This is “Begonia Richardsiana,” a semi-tuberous begonia purchased several years ago for about $12 at Logee’s greenhouses in Danielson, CT. It lives on the windowsill of our master bathroom, with a nice view of a shady part of the garden.
If you’re wondering what’s up with the pinecones, I have a thing about bringing nature indoors, and I put together this little arrangement for Christmas. I think it looks pretty, so I’ve left the cones in place for now.
This unusual-looking plant has interesting, maple-like leaves and a thick trunk. It does well in low light situations, and even blooms in the spring and summer – nothing fancy, but pretty, white flowers.
Here’s what the leaves look like up close:
And here’s that strange trunk, also called a “caudex”:
If you are thinking that this plant looks a lot like a bonsai, you’re right. In fact, when I bought it, it was in a tiny bonsai pot, like the one in the photo on the Logee’s website. Predictably, it soon outgrew that, so I ended up planting it in the pot it is still in today.
I take this plant to the sink once a week and give it a good watering. I also fertilize it once in a while with seaweed emulsion or Dyna-gro. This is an easygoing, pretty houseplant.
Digging RI 
Bringing the outside in – love it. Seems coherent to me, after all, we humans are the one to erect barriers/walls in nature. So enjoy your posts – always a surprise as to where you’ll transport us readers.
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Thanks! Usually, I have no idea what I’m going to write about until I sit down and begin.
I always marvel at how beautiful things like pine cones and seashells are. Bringing a few of them inside lets me gaze at closer range.
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Yes! 35 yrs ago I decorated my living room with a bird’s nest, wasp nest on a bough. in separate areas. Loved it. Laughable when some potential buyers toured my house and didn’t get it. Still didn’t take them down.
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I love begonias, but had no idea there were so many different kinds. Yours is fantastic! And the pine cones look really pretty.
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Glad you approve CJ. It seemed a shame to take them away after the holidays.
As for begonias, they seem to like living indoors and I like having plants on windowsills.
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I looked at that begonia on the site you linked to, but am worried about the cold weather for shipping. You definitely gave me begonia fever.
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I have recently bought some indoor plants which are doing well. My problem is that my cats are VERY interested in them, and I’m afraid they would ruin them. I have managed to block the two orchid plants, but need any ideas you may have to save the others. Thank you!!
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In my experience, some cats enjoy playing with houseplants, while others couldn’t care less about them. If your cats appear to be reaching the point where they actually start playing with your plants, there are a few things you can try.
The foolproof solution is to keep your plants out of reach. A friend of mine bought small, decorative shelves that each hold a single plant and mounted them on the walls where her cats couldn’t reach them.
Another thing to try is adding to your cats’ stimulation by distracting them with lots of new, fun stuff to do. You don’t have to buy a lot of expensive toys. Most cats can play for hours with a large paper bag or a cardboard box.
Let me know how it goes.
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