HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL YOU GARDENERS “Well, the weather outside is frightful” – No, wait, this is not the case in 2020. Here we are in early January and we are having some nice weather and temperatures that allow us to get outside into our gardens and enjoy ourselves with our beloved plants. I … Read more
How many New Year’s resolutions do we actually keep? You go to the gym in January and there’s always a waiting line for the first available treadmill. By March, not only is there no line, but there are several vacant treadmills waiting. My Three 2020 Garden Resolutions I’m better at keeping the ones I make … Read more
HERE IS A LITTLE SNAPSHOT ON SOME OF THE POPULAR GARDENING TRENDS First, Happy New Year to all. Typically, January is a month where there is not too much activity outside and, naturally so, with the cold, dreary days. But, now is a good time to think about what you want to do come spring. … Read more
Saturday, December 21st, was the Winter Solstice—the shortest day of the year; the first official day of Winter; Yule. The days, which have been getting shorter and shorter each day since the Summer Solstice, now will be getting longer by a minute or two each day. Many cultures around the world have celebrated the Winter … Read more
PROCRASTINATORS – LISTEN UP!!! I, too, am a procrastinator when it comes to shopping. But, come see us. This time of year we are full of gift ideas for the gardener in your life. Let’s start with the obvious – the gift of a plant. We pride ourselves on having the biggest and widest selection … Read more
In the past couple of weeks, I’ve had numerous people ask me how to care for the holiday plants they either received or bought for Christmas, so here is a quick guide. Poinsettias Take them out of foil they came in or poke holes in the foil so they can drain well. Keep them in … Read more
DISH GARDENS ARE A UNIQUE AND POPULAR GIFT ITEM Dish gardens are, in effect, miniature landscapes. It is hard to find an office that does not have at least one florist dish garden sitting on top of a desk or file cabinet. Basically, a dish garden in a container that contains three or more assorted … Read more
This coming Wednesday, December 12th, is National Poinsettia Day. So here are four interesting facts about everyone’s favorite holiday flower. Poinsettia, botanically Euphorbia Pulcherrima, is named for Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S minister to Mexico. He was an avid amateur botanist who, in the 1820s, sent home to South Carolina cuttings of a … Read more
LAST MONTH OF THE YEAR. THERE ARE STILL SOME TASKS THAT CAN BE DONE IN THE GARDEN. Up to this point, Mother Nature has been very kind to use with some nice days. Other than a little snow a couple of weeks ago, temperatures have been mild. However, we could use some rain. This year … Read more
One of my favorite flowers this time of year is the Paperwhite Narcissus, the fast and easy indoor bloomer. Narcissus papyraceus—paperwhites—are native to the Mediterranean from Greece to Morocco. They are daffodil relatives. They are not winter hardy here in Virginia, however, they will bloom easily indoors in a sunny window. Paperwhite bulbs are readily … Read more
