Flowers and a bonzai tree

Today we left early to head to the flower market. There are plenty of flower shops here in Shanghai, but they all just carry fresh cut flowers, or plants already in pots. Our landlord, or the previous renter, left beautiful wooden flower boxes on our two patios. There are also two pots and a small tree (dead before we got here) for us to work with. The only place to obtain flowers to plant is at the flower market.

The market was comprised of an area that was enclosed which housed all the fresh cut flowers and bonzai trees and then a small outside area that had all the flowers to plant in your garden. Both areas (as most shopping areas of China) were divided into small little shops or areas. All with different owners. We walked through the enclosed area, and all I can say is that it is a bride's paradise (most were catering to this with large signs). The flowers were gorgeous and numerous stalls had orchids that were astounding (if I didn't think I would kill it quickly--I seem to lack in the green thumb department--I would have bought one).

We trooped outside after our tour and quickly settled on some beautiful flowers. We also picked up a small azalea tree to replace the dead one, some ivy to hide our meter box, and a large pot that has three tomato plants growing in it. Dustin did our negotiation and we loaded up the car. Our driver was clearly amazed at the flowers and plants and probably wondering what in the world we are doing with them all. Dustin ran back in to the enclosed area and came back with a bonzai plant (This is a tree that you keep miniature by pruning and shaping it). We were all excited to see it as it is a Japanese Maple and just really neat.

We headed back home and I got Josh down for his nap. Danny stayed up and "helped" me plant the flowers. (I think he did more playing with the handles that came on the plants--he was everything from a space explorer to a cowboy). It was great to have his company, and just listen to his imaginative play. The planting took longer than I thought and was a lot of work, but the results are beautiful. They turned our empty balconies into our own private garden area. I also love looking out at the flowers from inside the apartment.

Overall, we were quite pleased with our success and pray that they will survive as we are not quite sure what we bought (except the azalea tree, the tomato plant and the bonzai plant), so we are a little hazy as to how much water they all need. We will keep you posted.