One of my favorite garden center shopping expeditions occurs after the garden has been put to bed. (And by that, I mean that I’ve started my four month-period of ignoring it; I don’t do anything special to winterize it.) Usually, the first weekend of December finds me at the best local place for holiday plants, evergreen décor, and other fun seasonal stuff.
There are no bedazzled poinsettias here, just really cool cultivars, as seen at top (did not keep the tag on these). I also repeated on a purchase I made last year. Normally I compost these plants toward the end of January—they falter—but the Christmas Mouse cultivar (above) has staying power and continued to “bloom” through March last year. I have to say poinsettia growers are really stepping up. There are some really interesting varieties out there. And I totally agree with this statement, from an Illinois extension writer: “I view these holiday-colored plants as a living floral arrangement for the holidays, as opposed to a permanent fixture in my houseplant collection. They’re just too tough to force into flower again in the average home setting.”
I also get little novelty plants that hang out in the kitchen as long as they are viable. Sometimes these can become long-term houseplants; sometimes not. (I find that cyclamen can be really disappointing indoors—or it can be great.)
Not having much access to a woodlands—and not caring to trespass—I buy a lot of my mantlepiece greenery, preferring incense cedar, juniper, and various pines and firs. I have a couple evergreens I can cut from, but to use them exclusively would be boring. As for trees, we don’t have a tree, but if we did, it would be freshly cut from a local grower. We have many such.
At this time of year, the garden center combines the best of both worlds. Outdoors, chainsaws whir and families pick out trees. Indoors, there is greenhouse warmth—along with too many tempting citrus plants. Must resist. It won’t work. Been down this road before.
No cider and cookies this year, thanks to COVID. I appreciate the owners’ acknowledging that masks only work if you keep them on.
My husband accompanied me for the first time this year and was glad he had. It was a Christmas kick-off, of sorts. Why do the holidays make me happy? It doesn’t make much sense. But they do.
Christmas makes me happy as well. Especially this year. Not sure why.
The holidays make me happy as well. In my favorite local nursery, even more so. The last two weekends were too frazzled to visit though. This weekend should be calmer, and I need a tree (it’s a must on my holiday spirit list), so I hope I’ll find the right one at said nursery. Also a good bit of greenery to spruce up the mantel.
I agree about going to local garden centers right now. My favorite day is Winter Solstice, when the nights stop lengthening.
I put up cheery outside lights in October (before cold sets in), keep turning them on earlier as days shorten. Rule is they can stay up until March equinox , a fine advantage of not calling them ‘Christmas’ decorations!
My family passes on the SOP cultural seasonal mayhem but appreciate, during this dark period, why Sparkle and Gaiety and (too many) sugary foods and alcohol are so appealing.
PS. We don’t have an indoor Xmas tree but daily enjoy watching the many trees, including conifers, that we’ve planted here over the years. Thanks be to all the living, breathing O2 exhalers and CO2 absorbers wherever they may be. Talk about gifting!
Wynne – I loved your comment “Thanks be to all the living, breathing O2 exhalers and CO2 absorbers wherever they may be. Talk about gifting!”
My 90-something friend had a cyclamen that belonged to her mother. She never allowed it to go dormant.
I never did that either–did not even know it was a thing.
I try to keep the poinsettia going until I can plant it outside. Visitors to the garden will ask if that is a poinsettia. They make a good background fill plant, with dark green , pointed leaves, some have a subtle red stem, veins. Going to the local nurseries is the best way to start the holidays.
I agree. Best way of dealing with a poinsettia IMHO — let the professionals deal with it! Those happy colors reflect my love of the season of Advent with my nearest and dearest around me — plus the month leaves us with longer days than it started us with. Love December, even though it’s busy! —MW