Little Lives - Lived Under Glass

Wardian Cases

Any one else squeal with delight over stuff like this? Just me?

I di-in't think so.

My heart races when I look at little greenhouses. Terrariums. Wardian Cases. A jar turned upside-down over a tiny plant.

Immediately wanting. Needing. Must have-ing.

Wardian Cases were first developed by Dr. Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward in 1829 - to protect his fern collection from London's air pollution. They subsequently became very popular in transporting tender plants from places as far as Australia and China - back to England. Then, the English Victorians put their touch on them for their drawing rooms. All fancy-schmancy and ornate and what-not.

As the days become shorter and shorter, I look to hints of gardens that can be cultivated indoors to get me through the dark, cold times. November through February.

I found a (somewhat) affordable one here. Uh-huh. Yeah. That's right. Feel the lust.