Victor Hugo said: “Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart.” Let’s make December the month of giving, as well as decorating the hall with colorful seasonal plants, bulbs and greenery.
Poinsettias
This holiday go-to plant was introduced to the United States 200 years ago by Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico. (More at britannica.com/biography/Joel-R-Poinsett.)
There are well over 100 hundred varieties in the marketplace. Red poinsettias are the standard, but check out the range of colored plants with white, creamy or pale green leaves (also called bracts). Others have subtle shades of peach, yellow, pink and deep burgundy. Look for marbled, blotched, variegated or spattered leaves. Some poinsettias come with ruffled leaves, resembling a rose.
Poinsettias need six hours of bright, natural light (not direct light) from a south, east or west window (not touching the window).
Keep them from cool drafts and heat vents. They prefer temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees. Colors last longer at cooler temperatures.
Poinsettias are not outdoor plants and cannot be exposed to cold temperatures. They must be kept warm when transported from the store to your car to your house. Double or triple wrap them in store plastic bags or bring a box from home on cold days.
Remove the foil or punch holes in the bottom for proper drainage. Water when the surface feels dry to the touch. If allowed to dry out, leaves will drop and plants will wilt. Too much water leads to root rot, insects and death. They do not like to be overwatered.
Plants are not poisonous to people or pets, but the milky sap may irritate the skin.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen, a popular Mediterranean native plant, blooms during the cooler fall and winter months and then goes dormant in the summer. Given proper care, they can be kept from year to year.
Grown from tubers, these frost-sensitive beauties bloom for long periods in shades of pink, white, red or lavender. Leaves can have silver patterns with heart- or arrow-shaped leaves.
Keep them cool for regular blooming: 50 to 65 degrees and away from warm, south-facing windows.
The most common problem is overwatering. Water when the top soil surface dries out, then thoroughly water (over a sink) at the outer edges of the container until water completely drains out from the bottom.Cyclamen prefer humidity, so group them with other plants or place them on a pebble tray of water.
Remove yellow leaves and shriveled blooms. Repot in the spring and place outdoors in shade when nights are consistently above 55 degrees. Bring them back indoors each fall and start the cycle again. (More at www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/1335.html)
Greenery
Garden centers and grocery stores sell Christmas trees, wreaths and attractive bundles of assorted greenery. Christmas tree lots generally have free, leftover cuttings when shaping a tree; just ask.
Decorate the front door and all through the house with fresh or artificial greenery.
The key for longer-lasting, indoor, fresh-cut greenery is regular moisture from misting and using anti-desiccant sprays (sold at garden centers) to seal the leaves and pores on the bark to hold in moisture.
When making garlands, swags or wreaths, set the stems in room-temperature water for a few hours before making the display. With a hand pruner, make diagonal cuts through the stems, then gently crush the exposed end with a small hammer for better water uptake.
Try a fresh arrangement using an assortment of eucalyptus, cedar, pine, juniper or balsam for an aromatic treat that brings the outdoors in. Add fresh or artificial berry branches for a pop of color.
Use the same greenery and mix in red-twigged dogwood, curly willow and pinecones to outdoor weatherproof containers (concrete, metal or plastic). Don’t forget the outdoor lights.
Christmas trees
Over 350 million Christmas trees are grown in the United States. It typically takes six to eight years for a tree to grow to Christmas tree size. Up to three new seedlings are planted for every tree harvested, making them sustainable. Many municipalities, including Denver, pick up spent trees for recycling into mulch.
Check for freshness when purchasing a real tree. Feel a full branch — the needles should be pliable. Brittle needles mean the tree is dry. Lift the tree gently and carefully shake. Heavy needle drop means the tree is not fresh. And choose a straight trunk so it is easier to place upright in the stand.
Cut an inch off the butt of the tree before bringing inside, this will help the tree absorb water better. Check the stand daily and refill often. No one likes a sticky floor or gift, so periodically check around for any sap leakage and clean up right away.
A tree can use up to 2 gallons of water per day (you can overfill the reservoir, but you can’t overwater a tree), so check it often.
LED lighting uses less energy and is much cooler for the tree than the older incandescent lights.
After the holidays, use cut-up tree boughs and place over mulched beds for extra protection.
Check with your local municipality for Christmas treecycling.
Artificial trees can be used from year to year; the average life span is eight to 10 years. Keep both artificial and real trees away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and heat registers.
Give
For giving, consider any indoor plant or a seasonal one like an amaryllis, orchid, Christmas cactus or dish of paperwhite bulbs.
Start with small herb plants or sow quick-maturing seeds of onion chives, basil or lemon balm. Use a spare container or garage-sale find (you don’t need to spend a lot).
Gardeners always appreciate tools, seed packets and garden gloves. Consider giving a garden magazine subscription or gift certificate to a garden center.
Also nice is a gift certificate for a yearly membership to a Community Supported Agriculture group for seasonal delivered homegrown produce.
Food pantries and shelters can use additional dollars and food donations this time of year, so plan on helping out with a personal donation or for a friend.
My favorite gift is spending time with a friend or relative. Sit and visit while enjoying a cup of tea or hot chocolate. If you can also help someone in their garden, you are truly a treasured giver.
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