by CMG Adrienne M
“Star of Holland” Variegated Red Amaryllis from HollandBulbFarms.com
Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind, to cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. ~Calvin Coolidge~
We can bring the magic of seasonal cheer into our homes with flowers from our gardens, the garden center or the supermarket, and greenery from outdoors to decorate tables and mantles. Add lighted candles and colorful ribbon to brighten our homes, and hearts will be bright as well.
- One of the flower stars of the Holiday Season is Amaryllis. The bulbs can be found in garden centers and some supermarkets, and bloom in many varieties and colors. Their bulbs are easy to force into bloom indoors. Place the large bulbs about 3/4 into a pot with fresh potting soil and water lightly. Place it in a sunny spot, and it should flower in a week or two. If the stems get too leggy, use a flower support to keep it from toppling. Read the instructions from Miracle Grow on planting and caring for amaryllis outdoors.
“Ariel” Paperwhite Narcissus from WildseedFarms.com
- PAPER WHITE NARCISSIS can also be forced into blooming indoors by placing the bulbs in a shallow container filled with small stones, and water to cover only the bottom of the bulbs. Place the container in a dark, cool room for 4-6 weeks. Their marvelous scent will fill the house for several weeks. The complete directions are here. For information on all varieties of native and naturalized narcissus read the excellent article by Greg Grant, the Smith County horticulturist for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Tyler, Texas.
Poinsettia Pulcherrima by Berthe Hoola van Nooten
- This illustration of Poinsettia Pulcherrima by Berthe Hoola vanNooten, is from her botanical work “Fleurs, Fruits et Feuillages Choisis de L’Ile de Java, Peints d’après Nature,” published in Brussels in 1863. The plant illustrated above became known by its common name “Poinsettia” as early as 1836.
- Your newly purchased Poinsettia requires the same care as many houseplants. Allow for proper drainage by repotting into a hardier pot or by making a few holes in the foil wrapper, then placing the pot on a saucer. Place the plant where it will be free from draft and will get some sunlight. Do not over-water.
- Pansies and violas are popular and colorful cool-season bedding plants. They thrive in the chilly nights and the cool-to-mild days from November to April. The cold weather of winter, even if temperatures should reach the teens, will not bother these plants in the least.
- Visit a garden center for transplants of cool-season annuals for the garden. Alyssum, dusty miller, dianthus, hollyhock, and larkspur will do well in winter here, although they might not survive a hard, prolonged freeze. The double-flowered spikes of stock will add fragrance, and sweet alyssum will spread to cover the ground beneath.
Double Take® Peach Flowering Quince from ProvenWinners.com
- Flowing Quince is a small shrub that can bring color to winter gardens, as it can start budding in early February, lasting through April. A new, rare color in the series from Proven Winners is Double Take® Peach Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa). This heat- and drought-tolerant shrub needs full sun with part shade in the afternoons, grows 4-to-5 feet in height and width, and often reblooms in the fall. It can be used as a specimen plant, or en masse in borders. Flowing quince blooms on old wood, so if pruning is needed, do so after blooming. Zones 5-9.
Heuchera Dolce® Silver Gumdrop from ProvenWinners.com
- Coral Bells (Heuchera) are perhaps an underused plant here in south central Texas. They can be planted throughout the year, and are evergreen in our mild winter climate. Plant them in humus-rich, well-drained soil in full to part sun; roots should be covered and insulated in freezing weather. All Heuchera change color once the nights become cold. Foliage colors include green, burgundy, purple, red, gold, orange and brown. Vibrant pink blossoms appear in spring on long spikes which attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Native Purple Coneflower (Echinacea E. purpurea) from Wildflower.org
- A hardy perennial for our area is the Native Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). It is one of seven different Echinacea species native to the central and eastern United States; these are the “old” varieties. The new varieties range in vibrant colors from pinks, purple, yellows, oranges and dark red, with heights from 12 to 36 inches or more. They are hybrid crosses between two different coneflower species. Coneflowers can be started from seeds indoors after Christmas, or purchased as transplants throughout most of the year. They need sun and part shade, and well-drained, sandy, or richer soils. This popular perennial has smooth stems and long-lasting, lavender flowers. Bloom time is April through September.
- December, January, and February are safe months to prune oak trees that are susceptible to the oak wilt fungus which invades and disables the water-conducting system in susceptible trees. A sealant or latex paint should be applied to cut ends to seal them against invasion by the sap-feeding (nitidulid) beetles which are believed to be responsible for much of the long distance spread of oak wilt.
- Potted plants do not grow rapidly during the winter months, so don’t over-water them. They won’t need fertilizer until the spring.
- Clay and ceramic containers left to the elements may suffer cracks during a hard freeze when water in their soil freezes and expands. Move the containers and susceptible lawn art to a protected area, or ensure that they are well wrapped.
- Care for the pollinators during the winter by allowing a few broccoli plants go to seed. The yellow flowers will brighten the landscape while they are feeding the bees. By feeding the pollinators over the winter, chances are they will come around to help in the production of spring crops.
- Vegetables still growing in the garden (beets, carrots, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) will now need protective covering from frost and chilling wind, as will any new sprouts or transplants.
Sources include: botanicalartandartists.com; LSU Ag Center; CentralTexasGardener; Milberger’s Online Newsletter; ProvenWinners.com; SouthernLiving.com; WildseedFarms.com; PlantAnswers.com; AgriLifeExtension.tamu.edu/counties/Bexar-County.