So what’s a gardener to do in February? There are some things I can do now to be ready. Gardening Tasks for February Check our selection of seeds or, if there is some variety we don’t have, check a gardening catalog: Get your favorites now, in case they sell out later. If you’re like me … Read more
When I was a kid, one of the first plants I noticed was my grandma’s African Violet. It even had a name—Jenny (it was given to her by a friend who had a daughter named Jennifer). I loved the pink flowers and the fuzzy leaves. A Few Interesting Facts About African Violets African Violets are … Read more
Ficus trees are great indoor plants—if you’ve got what they need. Well, isn’t that true of most plants? There are many to choose from: Weeping Figs, Rubber Trees, and Fiddle Leaf Figs, among others. I have a weeping fig, one of the first plants I have ever bought. I used to worry over every yellow … Read more
Did you know Friday was National Houseplant Appreciation Day? There are dozens of studies that show that having houseplants are good for us! They do help “clean” the air in our homes–although, the more the better. One or two little pots of philodendron won’t do as much as a lot more plants. Plants Improve Emotional … Read more
It’s that time again—time to make my New Year’s Gardening Resolutions! So here they are: Even though it is tedious, I resolve to go through my plants and examine them top to bottom for insect pests that may have hitchhiked a ride inside for the winter and are now chowing down on my plants. Outside, … Read more
Saturday, December 21st, was the Winter Solstice–the day with the longest night and shortest day of the year. We have a Winter and Summer Solstice because the Earth is tilted on its axis. This means that as we orbit the sun, one hemisphere will get more sunlight, hence the four seasons. The Winter Solstice is when our … Read more
Almost every door seems to have a sprig of mistletoe at Christmas. So, what exactly is it? What is Mistletoe? Believe it or not, mistletoe is a parasite. It sends its roots down into its host plant, tapping into its water and nutrients to keep it alive. Its botanical name is Phoradendron, which comes from the … Read more
Last week, I discussed one of my favorite holiday plants: the amaryllis. This week, I’ll discuss another one of my favorite holiday plants: the poinsettia. From Mexico With Love: The History of Poinsettias In 1825, Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first appointed U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, was intrigued by some beautiful red flowers he saw growing … Read more
Is it Christmas or January? One of my favorite holiday flowers is the Amaryllis. This beauty has flowers that range in size from six to ten inches—and all this from a bulb that ranges in size from three to five inches. Now, some people grow amaryllis as an annual—that is, they enjoy the blooms and … Read more
You see them everywhere this time of year, don’t you? Christmas cactus. So here is some “need-to-know” info about these beautiful bloomers. Where They Come From Christmas cacti are native to the tropical rainforest in Brazil, and, believe it or not, they are epiphytes. Epiphytes are plants that live on other plants. Now, they are … Read more
