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FEATURED QUOTE : "Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed." ~Francis Bacon |
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Gardeners choose plants on a whim, or because they admired a neighbor’s plant, or a newsletter they received alerted them to a new idea in grouping familiar, and rare, plants. We hope to entice you with our favorite list of winter blooming shrubs.
The Callicarpa americana, which is known more familiarly as the Beautyberry (Callicarpa means beauty berry) was used by Native American tribes for various medicinal purposes. The roots, leaves and branches were boiled down and used in sweat baths to treat malarial fevers, rheumatism, dizziness and stomachaches. The roots and berries were boiled and drunk to treat colic, and the bark from the stems and roots was used to treat itchy skin. This miracle plant has been found to be repellant to the mosquitoes which carry yellow fever and malaria, as well as the tick which carries Lyme disease. And all of this wrapped up in a deciduous shrub that grows from 6 to 8 feet tall, thrives in zones 5 to 10, is very drought tolerant, and carries tiny lilac flowers in spring that by cool weather turn into tightly clustered berries in resplendent shades of purple.  During medieval times, the hellebore, also known as the Christmas rose, was considered a weapon against witches, evil spirits, and general insanity. Perhaps these apocryphal stories arose because these exquisite beauties not only have a long bloom time, but as they love the cooler weather, it’s not unusual to see them in the middle of winter.
This northern gardener has even seen them proudly appearing through a bank of snow! Their colors remind one of a Japanese water color, as they drift from a light green to pale lavender to a deep plum. Mature plants form clumps about 18 to 24 inches tall and 24 to 30 inches in width, and if happy where planted, they will self-sow. Expect 50 or more flowers per plant.
The leaves are evergreen, but when cutting them back in late winter, be sure to wear gloves, as contact with the leaves may cause mild dermatitis in some people; don’t worry about losing them to deer for this same reason. We love them as ground covers for deciduous shrubs, so consider housing them beneath the Callicarpa americana.
The Iberis sempervirens, or perennial candytuft, was employed by the ancients up through Colonial times as a cure for rheumatism, and gout, and is said to be useful in treating cardiac hypertrophy, asthma, and bronchitis in doses of from one to three grains of the seeds.
Today it is used in homeopathy for nervousness and muscle soreness. The candytuft is a low growing evergreen sub-shrub, 10 to 12 inches in height, which will thrive from zones 3 to 8 (just be sure to provide full sun). This is one of the truly great plants for rock gardens, spilling over a wall, or as a remarkable border plant for walkways. The flowers are flat, dense clusters of a startlingly bright white.
The candytuft is a care-free plant, whose fragrance also encourages one to add it to a cutting garden. Plant it around your mailbox and you’ll have instant curb appeal! We’ve been discussing plants that not only provide us with verdurous vision, but also have been used throughout the centuries as curatives.
We’d now like to introduce you to that antithesis, the Daphne odora, or winter daphne, which is highly toxic; even coming in contact with the sap may cause a mild case of dermatitis. Originally from China, and named in 1784, by 1874 it was being grown in California. Its highly aromatic flowers are dark pink and the sweet smell of them may last for many weeks, beginning mostly in March but as early as late January.
Initially named Shui Hsiang, or Sleeping Scent, the legend that surrounds the daphne is that a Chinese monk of Lu Shan discovered the plant upon awakening from a nap to its spicy fragrance.
To best appreciate this evergreen’s intoxicating aroma, plant it towards the front of a sunny, sheltered border close to an entryway or a path. Use the flowers for sachets, and potpourri, or to perfume water. The leaves are long, oval, green, and often variegated. It’s hardy from zone 7 to zone 10, prefers moist, extremely well-drained soil, morning sun with afternoon shade, and will grow to a height of 3 to 4 feet, with a width of 2 to 4 feet. 
Another of our favorite plants for winter watching is the Bergenia 'Autumn Glory'. This low-growing perennial is known for its long and narrow dark green leaves, which develop rich plum-red tones in the winter. Topping this glossy, rubbery textured evergreen are tall stems of bell-shaped coral-pink flowers which add the “glory” in early spring.
This gem thrives in both sun and partial shade, is a perennial in zones 4 to 9, is deer and rabbit resistant, and at only 6 to 12 inches in height, has a vast array of uses. Mass plant the bergenia, or use it as an edging along a walkway. It’s perfect for container planting or in your cutting garden. This gardener uses it as a border for my ornamental grasses garden; as the season cools, and we look to our plants for textual interest, the bergenia will provide it where lesser plants will succumb to the elements. Just as we look forward to adding a dramatic touch to our holiday wreaths with holly berries, we can enjoy that same drama in our gardens. A recent introduction from master plant breeder Dr. Elwin Orton of Rutgers has given us the Ilex 'Red Beauty', an evergreen hardy to zone 7, which grows upright in a wide conical shape, similar to that of a Christmas tree. It sports very dark blue-green, glossy leaves with undulating edges, and in fall and winter dark red berries provide additional visual interest.Have we whetted your appetite for a winter garden? We guarantee that these will serve up a capacious Cockaigne, a wintry wonderland of scent and color and texture that will extend your gardening pleasure throughout the year. |
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While the poinsettia remains the most popular of the holiday plants, a healthy Christmas cactus in full bloom is a great gift idea for that special gardener. It is easy to care for and can be grown indoors throughout the year. The flowers range in color from yellow, orange, red, salmon, pink, fuchsia and white or combinations of those colors. Its pendulous stems make it a great choice for hanging baskets. The "Christmas cactus" that is grown commercially is actually several closely related species of forest cacti that grow as epiphytes between 3,000 and 5,000 feet above sea level in the Organ Mountains north of Rio de Janeiro in southeast Brazil, South America. We typically think of cacti as being heat tolerant, but Christmas cactuses will keep their blossoms longer in cooler temperatures. It is important to keep plants in a well-lit location away from drafts of heater vents, fireplaces or other sources of hot air. Drafts and temperature extremes can cause the flower buds to drop from the plant before they have a chance to open. The Christmas cactus is a tropical type plant, not quite as drought tolerant as its desert relatives and, in fact, may drop flower buds if the soil gets too dry. Water thoroughly when the top inch or so of soil feels dry to the touch. The soil should be kept evenly moist for best growth. Christmas cactuses will do best in bright indirect light. They don't need to be fertilized while in bloom, but most gardeners enjoy the challenge of keeping the plant after the holidays for re-bloom the following year. While plants are actively growing, use a blooming houseplant-type fertilizer and apply monthly until blooms set the following season. If taken care of properly, a single plant can last for many years, providing many seasons of enjoyment. |
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Fresh holiday greens such as wreaths and garlands have a definite life span, but with the following tips you can keep them looking good so you can enjoy their wonderful scent and beauty throughout the holiday season. If you aren't hanging or mounting your greens right away, lay them outside on the ground (best side up) in a cool shady location until you are ready to use them. Try to avoid getting the greenery wet. Sunlight, heat and wind are the worst enemies for holiday greenery, so keep that in mind when hanging them up. Outdoors, wreaths will last much longer on doors with northern or eastern exposures. Southern or western exposures can cause greenery to dry and discolor much more quickly. If hanging or mounting greenery indoors, be sure to keep it away from heating vents, and try to maintain room temperatures of 70 degrees or less. Also shutter direct sunlight window exposures to prevent excess discoloration. Anti-transpirants help to slow down moisture loss, helping to maintain the color and reduce a potential fire hazard. Be sure to apply anti-transpirant outdoors at least one hour before decorating the greenery, so it can dry before you add all those personal touches to it! Happy Holidays! |
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History of Poinsettias The Aztecs called poinsettias "Cuetlaxochitl." During the 14th-16th century the sap was used to control fevers and the bracts ( modified leaves) were used to make a reddish dye.
Centuries later, Joel Roberts Poinsett became the first United States Ambassador to Mexico, being appointed by President Andrew Jackson in the 1820's; because of his interest in botany he introduced the American elm into Mexico. 
During his stay in Mexico, he wandered the countryside looking for new plant species. In 1828 he found a beautiful shrub with large red flowers growing next to a road. He took cuttings from the plant and brought them back to his greenhouse in South Carolina. Even though Poinsett had a distinguished career as a US Congressman and Ambassador, he will always be best remembered for introducing the poinsettia into the United States. |
December 12 is National Poinsettia Day, designated by Congress to honor the flower and Joel Robert Poinsett, botanist and the first United States Ambassador to Mexico. Native to Mexico, the poinsettia, with over 50 million sold annually, is the number one flowering potted plant sold in the United States.
Montezuma, the last of the Aztec kings, would have poinsettias brought into what now is Mexico City by caravan because they could not be grown in the high altitude.  |
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One needn't be a professional gardener to appreciate a houseful of greenery. In fact, most of us are stumbling along, learning a bit more each day about the plants with which we share our lives. And in return for the pleasure of form and color they add to our living environments, not to mention the fresh oxygen they release into the air, we often are too eager to reciprocate by over-tending them.  Root rot in houseplants is most commonly caused by over-watering; when a plant wilts, our first instinct is to water it, but if it does not respond to watering, and the lower leaves begin to yellow and drop, these are sure signs of root rot. The roots need both water and oxygen, and if they are given too much water, the oxygen cannot reach the root. When first choosing your new plant, pick one with a healthy green color and which shows signs of new growth. Check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not root bound, and avoid plants with white or brown lumps on the leaves or stems. There is no one way to water all plants. Succulents have fleshy leaves and stems that enable them to store water, while plants with large or very thin leaves usually require more frequent watering. If you're planting in clay pots, remember that they are more porous, thus water evaporates rapidly from the sides. Plants placed in glazed or plastic pots will require less water. Plants in warm, dry, sunny locations need more frequent watering than those in cool, low-light environments. A large plant in a small pot needs more water than a small plant in a large pot. And after rewarding you with a flush of flowering, plants may slow in growth and become dormant, hence needing less water. Here's an easy way to tell if your houseplants are thirsty; insert your finger into the soil up to the first joint--if it is dry, time to water. Rap your knuckles against the side of the pot; if the sound is dull, the soil is moist; if the sound is hollow, time to water. Look closely at the soil of your plant; if it is lightening in color, time to water. And lift up the pot; as the potting mixture dries, the plant lightens in weight. Of course, choosing easy-to-care plants is the most efficacious manner of filling your home with the outdoors. We have a variety of easy-to-care-for plants that are wildly different visually, but which all provide the sense of nature that we strive for when filling our homes with plants. |
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