The Garden Website for December
Amanda's Garden Consulting Company
Celebrating the season with greenery and baubles.
December Garden Chores
Snow covered holly branches in Courtney, B.C.
In This Issue
Holiday Ideas from the Garden - Wreathing Around - Holiday Planters - Christmas Trees
December Garden Chores
Garden Beds - Lawns & Pruning - Is it Too Late to Plant Bulbs?
Hydrangeas - Roses - What to do with Gift Plants
In the Veggie Garden - Dahlias, Cannas & Begonias
Before a Storm - After Snowfalls & Storms
Putting Things Away - Winterizing - Protecting Plants
Protecting Palms, Bananas & Other Tropicals - Ponds & Water Features - Help Birds in Winter
December Garden Stars
Gift certificates - December Flower Arrangement - Plant of the Month: Sky Pencil Holly
December Garden Chores
Garden Beds - Lawns & Pruning - Is it Too Late to Plant Bulbs?
Hydrangeas - Roses - What to do with Gift Plants
In the Veggie Garden - Dahlias, Cannas & Begonias
Before a Storm - After Snowfalls & Storms
Putting Things Away - Winterizing - Protecting Plants
Protecting Palms, Bananas & Other Tropicals - Ponds & Water Features - Help Birds in Winter
December Garden Stars
Gift certificates - December Flower Arrangement - Plant of the Month: Sky Pencil Holly
Fellow Gardeners..
Chloe on her throne.
Hello Fellow Gardeners,
December; you either love it or hate it. It’s a difficult month for those who don’t celebrate or enjoy Christmas. It’s no walk in the park either for people that love Christmas, as it can be quite overwhelming. The trouble with December is that it comes in fast and furious. For me, it’s when gardening and Christmas collide. I admit that I rarely get all my gardening done by December. My excuse is that the garden is still trucking along here in the south coast of British Columbia. Winter is often late to arrive, which is the case this year. Many plants haven’t gone into full dormancy yet. When I pulled up my dahlias, they were still flowering and looking pretty good. However, it's Christmas so gardening must take a back seat. It’s time to celebrate and reconnect with people. That's the best part of the holidays. It's not just the food, and the drink, and the presents - ahem. May December bring you happiness and peace. Merry Christmas! Cheers, Amanda 
Plant of the month
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December's Floral Arrangement
Red holly berries are surrounded by numerous types of evergreen foliage and
English ivy. For specifics and for other arrangements go to Monthly Flower Arrangements for the tropical Gardener
While working in Florida as horticultural consultant, I wrote a reference book on shrubs. Ornamental Tropical Shrubs includes colour pictures and point form information. To check out this informative & beautiful website, click here.
Amanda's Garden Channel
Check out Amanda's YouTube channel. It has informative garden, flower and plant videos.
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December Garden Stars
Mountain ash, Sorbus aucuparia, deciduous tree, 20 to 40ft x 10 to 20ft, spring flowers, berry clusters follow. Sun, dislikes drought, Zones 5 to 6. Click on pic for more.
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'Yuletide' winter camellia, Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide', broadleaf evergreen shrub, fragrant, sun to part shade, 6’ to 14’ x 5’ to 7’. Zones 7 to 9. Click on pic for more.
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Firethorn, Pyracantha coccinea, deciduous shrubby vine, 6’ – 18’ tall & wide, May white flowers, sun to part shade, thorny. Zones 6 to 9.
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Heavenly bamboo, Nandina domestica, broadleaf evergreen, orange berries, red fall colour, sun to shade, 3-8’ x 2-4’. Zones 8 to 10. Click on pic for more
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Viburnum, Dawn viburnum, V. x bodnantense 'Dawn', deciduous shrub, 8 to 10ft x 4 to 6ft, full sun, part shade. Zones 5 to 7. Click on the pic for more.
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Variegated English holly, Ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata', broadleaf evergreen, part to full sun, 15’-20’ x 8’-12’, need female for berries & male pollinator. Zones 6 to 9.
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Winterberry, Gaultheria procumbens, broadleaf evergreen groundcover, 6” x 1’, white blooms June to July, part shade, shade. Zones 3 to 8. Click on pic for more,
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Beautyberry, Callicarpa bodinieri, North American deciduous shrub, 6-10', sun to part shade. Zones 6-8. Click on pic for more.
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Oregon Grape Holly, Mahonia aquifolium, grows 3-6' x 2-5'. Sprays of yellow flowers in April. Full sun to shade. Zones 5 to 8. Click on pic for more.
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Rockspray cotoneaster, Cotoneaster horizontalis, deciduous shrub, 2’-3’ x 6’-8’, small white flowers May to June followed by red berries. Zones 5 to 7.
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Emerald & Gold wintercreeper, Euonymus fortunei, broadleaf evergreen, 3' x 4', sun, part shade. Zones 5 to 8. Click on pick for more.
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Snowberry, Symphoricarpos albus, deciduous shrub, 3-6 ft tall & wide, pink summer blooms, white winter berries, sun. Zones 3 to 7. Click on the pic for more.
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Ilex verticillata, winterberry, deciduous shrub, sun, part shade, 6’- 12’, berries only on female plants, spreads via suckers. Zones 3 to 9.
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Strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo compacta, broadleaf evergreen, 10’-20’ tall & wide, fragrant, winter fruit & flowers. Zones 7 to 9. Click on pic for more.
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Oso Happy Smoothie landscape rose hips, deciduous shrub, full sun, 2ft x 2ft, Zones 4 to 9.
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Holiday Ideas From the Garden
A lit cedar bough brings a touch nature.
Click on the pic above for instructions on how to make a garland.
Holly & cedar sprigs add a festive & fresh touch.
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Tie different lengths of branches together, add a bow and you've mad a swag.
This homemade Christmas Elf was easy to make. Click on pic for instructions.
Get greenery from the garden, the woods or at a store.
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With just a touch of seasonal greenery, it’s easy to create beautiful decorations inside and outside the home. Pine, spruce, cedar and other evergreen branches look fabulous without any adornment, and they smell pretty good too. Lay them on fireplace mantles, pin a branch to a wall or frame a picture with English ivy. Get festive and add some pinecones, baubles and ribbon.
Wreathing Around
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Magnolia wreath
English ivy and a holly berries wreath. Click on the pic to view the video.
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Rose hips, ivy and greenery are weaved into a grape vine wreath.
Faux flocked ivy, pine cones and a green satin bow accent the evergreens wrapped around a wire coat hanger frame.
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A fun and feathery purple & black wreath
Click on the pic to see a wee video of a simple holly and ivy wreath.
A homemade grapevine wreath includes dried hydrangeas and faux sugared fruit. .
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Wreaths: If you’ve never made a wreath, give it a go as they are easy to make and the price is right, especially when using plants from your garden. Either buy a base wreath from a dollar store or cut off pliable vine stems to make your own base. Wrap the stems around and around to form a circle then secure them with wire or twine. Stick in sprigs of cedars, yews and other evergreens. Add a bow and ornaments for a festive touch. Check out Christmas Wreaths for instructions on how to make many of the wreaths below, and for garland instructions click here.
Holiday Planters
The transformation of my summer planter begins.
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After the dead annuals are removed, evergreens stems are inserted.
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Holly berries and sprigs are added.
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A few final holiday touches and the planter is complete.
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Festive Planters: It doesn’t take much to spruce up summer planters into something fab for the holidays. Stick in some evergreen boughs, funky branches, colourful stems or ones with pretty berries. Add outdoor Christmas lights to brighten those dark December evenings. For more click on 10-steps-to-a-festive-planter.
Christmas Trees
Don't forget to add water to the reservoir of cut trees. Don't forget!
Living Christmas trees are available to rent and to purchase.
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Do your research of types of Christmas trees before purchasing.
Fresh trees have supple needles that don't fall off when touched.
Select a tree with many sturdy branches o hang ornaments.
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There are many types of conifers sold as Christmas trees. Needle size, retention, longevity and density differ depending on the type of tree. Purchase cut or potted living trees or consider renting one. Search ‘Rent a Christmas Tree Near Me’ for a list of companies.
Before purchasing or renting a tree, measure the available space in your home to get the appropriate height and width of the tree so it doesn’t engulf the entire living room. Don’t forget to take a measuring tape with you when you go tree shopping. When you get it home, saw off its base and place into a large container of water prior to bringing it indoors. Refill the tree's water reservoir daily to reduce the risk of fire. To learn more about all the different types of Christmas trees, their care, potted Christmas trees care, tree disposal and more, click on Christmas Trees.
Before purchasing or renting a tree, measure the available space in your home to get the appropriate height and width of the tree so it doesn’t engulf the entire living room. Don’t forget to take a measuring tape with you when you go tree shopping. When you get it home, saw off its base and place into a large container of water prior to bringing it indoors. Refill the tree's water reservoir daily to reduce the risk of fire. To learn more about all the different types of Christmas trees, their care, potted Christmas trees care, tree disposal and more, click on Christmas Trees.
December Garden Chores
Click on the underlined coloured links to be redirected.
Garden Beds
Remove all weeds before mulching.
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Fall leaves repurposed as mulch at Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, B.C.
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Keep organic debris on garden beds, don't rake it off.
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Prepare Garden Beds: Dig out weeds and any diseased and dead plants. Do not rake off fall leaves & other organic debris. Instead, place a 3 inch layer of fall leaves on top of the ground to prevent erosion, nutrient loss and lessen temperature swings. Another added benefit is plants are fed naturally without the use of fertilizers. Here's more on Soil Building & Preparing the Garden for Winter,
Lawn & Pruning
Don't walk on frozen grass.
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Rake fall leaves off the lawn before it snows.
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Wait for winter to prune.
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Always remove suckers (& the tree band!).
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Wait to prune cherries & other spring flowering plants.
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Lawns: Keep off frozen lawns as it damages the little grass plants. Rake off fall leaves regularly, especially before a snowfall. Set the mower to 1.5 inches for the last cut of the season. Avoid leaving clumps of grass on the lawn over the winter. Here's more on Lawn Basics
Pruning: It’s best to wait for winter to prune trees and shrubs when they are fully dormant. The only thing to do now is to remove or cut back branches that are too low, in the way, broken, dead and diseased. Feel free to remove suckers and watersprouts at any time of the year. For more click on Pruning Basics 101 or Winter Pruning
Pruning: It’s best to wait for winter to prune trees and shrubs when they are fully dormant. The only thing to do now is to remove or cut back branches that are too low, in the way, broken, dead and diseased. Feel free to remove suckers and watersprouts at any time of the year. For more click on Pruning Basics 101 or Winter Pruning
Is it too late to plant bulbs?
You can still plant bulbs if the ground isn't frozen.
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Plant bulbs planters a bit deeper than recommended.
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Add bonemeal & dust with cinammon.
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As long as the ground isn’t frozen, it’s not ideal but it’s okay to plant tulips and other bulbs. To ward off mould and critters dust them with a generous amount cinnamon at planting. Plant in pots for showy spring displays and feel free to add some to your existing planters. Use a narrow trowel to make a hole inbetween existing plants and slip them in. Luckily, they don’t need much room to grow. When planting bulbs in containers, plant them a little deeper than recommended. To protect potted bulbs over the winter, bury pots in the ground, nestle in an open compost bin, or wrap the pots with insulation or bubble wrap. Top all planting of bulbs with three inches of fall foliage. Remove all remnants such as tulip skins to thwart observant critters, and don’t forget to add a label. Click on Spring Flowering Bulbs for more tips and for a video click here.
Hydrangeas
Snow dusted hydrangeas add to winters gardens.
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Optionally, cut off flowers just above the top bud.
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Don't leave a stub. Cut just above a bud.
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This is the correct way to prune a hydrangea.
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Mophead Hydrangeas: It’s fine to remove just the flower heads this month, or wait until late winter or early spring to do some remedial pruning. Remove spindly, dead, shaggy, weak, unproductive, old and crossing stems. Do not cut the remaining stems too far back. In spring, as the buds begin to swell, cut just above the first set of fat buds at the top of the stem. If you go beyond that, it may not flower next year as mophead hydrangeas (H. macrophylla) form flowers on new growth on old stems.
Roses
Leave attractive rosehips for wildlife and for winter colour.
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Soil mounded over rose crowns also provides winter protection.
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A mulched and gently pruned rose is ready for winter.
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Go easy on them. Don’t cut roses too far back as it reduces their winter hardiness. Do remove overly long, weak, diseased and dead canes but keep any colourful rosehips. To prevent overwintering diseases, remove all foliage from the plant and the ground. Protect the roots by hilling the soil upon its crown (where roots and stems join) or pile on fall leaves and straw.
What to do with Gift Plants
Fresh poinsettias bear little flowers in the centre.
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This old poinsettia has no flowers left.
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Rotate amaryllis 15 degrees every few days to prevent leaning.
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‘Tis the season for potted floral beauties to be given away as gifts - and to keep for yourself if you have a mind to. Most people consider them to be temporary plants only to be thrown away after they finish flowering. Amaryllis rarely rebloom unless planted outdoors in a tropical climate. Same goes for poinsettias. Once poinsettias decline, they might make a nice houseplant, but they will fail to develop their colourful red bracts without receiving the required darkness for 12 hours.
Moth orchids are the easiest orchid to grow indoors.
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Avoid overwatering African violets.
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Kalanchoes need bright light.
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Thanksgiving cactus also flower during Christmas.
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Christmas & Thanksgiving cactus, African violets, kalanchoe, and moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) are long-lived gift plants that make excellent houseplants - if they are properly cared for. Keep all plants away from heating vents and cold draughts. Place them where it’s sunny and bright or supplement with grow lights. Water with lukewarm water, not cold, when the top ¼ of soil is dry. For detailed information on how to grow specific plants, click on Poinsettias – Moth Orchids – Christmas Cactus.
In The Veggie Garden
A light dusting of snow doesn't hurt cool season crops.
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Protect hardy plants with straw and a cloche. Click on the pic for more.
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Kale tastes sweeter after a frost.
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Harvest root crops as you need them.
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Clean & Protect: There’s no need to harvest all your cool crops if they are still looking and tasting good. Keep cabbage, winter peas, kale, chard, brussel sprouts, carrots, parsnips, leeks in the ground and harvest them as needed. Just tidy them up by removing any sad parts. Clean all debris from the veggie beds from past crops to prevent overwintering nasties. Cover the ground with a 3” layer of straw, fall leaves and torn newspapers to insulate the soil, prevent erosion, retain nutrients and to reduce flooding and winter weeds.
Dahlias, Cannas & Begonias
Dig up dahlias, just in case.
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Store dahlias in boxes in a frost free, dry location.
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Overwinter callas where it's dry, cool and frost free.
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Dust begonia tubers with cinnamon to prevent mould.
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Dahlias, Tuberous Begonia, Cannas: It’s not too late to dig up and save these tender summer flowering bulbs. Store cured bulbs, tubers and corms in cardboard boxes filled with vermiculite, peat or potting soil. Place in a frost free, dry location. If you have already done the dirty deed, check on the stored bulbs monthly to make sure they aren’t rotting, dried out or frozen. To learn more click on Dahlias – Tuberous Begonias
Before a Storm
Retrieve garden items before a storm.
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Secure all windows, doors & vents.
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Secure trampolines.
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Tie up formal evergreens.
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Secure vines to their supports.
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It's a good idea to keep an eye on the weather forecast this time of year. If a storm, high winds or some other inclement weather event is predicted, it's prudent to safeguard the garden. Bring equipment, tools, patio umbrellas, furniture and their cushions indoors. Stack or weigh down outdoor furniture with bricks. Anchor trampolines and close all garage, greenhouse, shed doors and windows. Bring in hanging planters and place other planters together against the house in a sheltered spot. Remove or cut back tree branches that are weak, diseased, broken and dead. Secure vines, including rose canes to their support. Wrap evergreens with string if heavy snow is predicted.
After Snowfalls & Storms
Hire ISA certified arborists.
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A broom exposes a winter heather's blossoms.
Keep drains free of debris.
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Cocoa blends in as she checks out a broken branch.
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Rectify issues as soon as possible when the weather allows. Shovel balconies to prevent them from collapsing. Liberate shrubs and tree limbs from heavy snow with a broom. Check the garden for flooding, damaged branches, fallen trees, and other issues. Clean storm debris out of drains and eaves. Contact hydro or your utility provider for any downed power lines. Call professional arborists, that are fully insured and ISA certified, to remove large tree limbs and fallen trees. It is not safe to climb trees, especially when wielding a chain saw or other pruning equipment. Stay safe out there and call the pros.
Putting Things Away
Keep leather & suede products indoors.
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Move vulnerable garden products indoors so they don't freeze.
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Putting things away: Store fertilizers, liquids, seeds, leather items, gloves, and anything that will spoil indoors in a dry, frost-free place. Avoid water and snow collecting in wheelbarrows, by placing them upright or flip them upside down during storage. Bring in all unused ceramic, clay pots and statues to prevent them from cracking.
Equipment & Tools: Clean tools and all garden equipment. Apply vegetable oil where needed to prevent rust. Wipe down pruning gear with disinfecting wet wipes before drying and oiling. Drain hoses and store indoors, then shut off and drain outdoor faucets by closing interior shut-off valves.
BBQ: Clean the BBQ before storing to prevent pests and corrosion. Disconnect gas canisters and store upright in a sheltered location outdoors in a dry, well-ventilated location away from the house.
Drains & Gutters: Clear debris from gutters, downspouts, and city drains to prevent flooding. Check regularly for blockages.
Equipment & Tools: Clean tools and all garden equipment. Apply vegetable oil where needed to prevent rust. Wipe down pruning gear with disinfecting wet wipes before drying and oiling. Drain hoses and store indoors, then shut off and drain outdoor faucets by closing interior shut-off valves.
BBQ: Clean the BBQ before storing to prevent pests and corrosion. Disconnect gas canisters and store upright in a sheltered location outdoors in a dry, well-ventilated location away from the house.
Drains & Gutters: Clear debris from gutters, downspouts, and city drains to prevent flooding. Check regularly for blockages.
Winterizing
Drain hoses and shut off outdoor faucets.
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Clean the mower before storing.
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Clean & oil garden tools.
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Select salt-free de-icers.
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Protect Pipes from Bursting: Outdoor pipes freeze when the temperature drops to -4°C (24.8°F). In cold climates, use insulating pipe sleeves and faucet covers, available at hardware stores and amazon.ca. Underground Irrigation: Contact an irrigation company, preferably the that installed the system, to blow out the lines for winter.
Winterizing Lawn Mowers: Clean and sharpen blades and replace if needed. Remove debris from the mower deck with a putty knife. Store mowers out of the weather in a protected area. Refer to the owner’s manual for more information on overwintering gasoline and cordless electric mowers.
Salt De-Icers: Avoid using de-icing salts to melt ice on paths, sidewalks and driveways. It’s harmful to pets, plants, soil, pollutes waterways and it’s toxic to salmon and sea life. Commercial non-salt, pet friendly de-icers are available or use sand, kitty litter or coffee grounds.
Winterizing Lawn Mowers: Clean and sharpen blades and replace if needed. Remove debris from the mower deck with a putty knife. Store mowers out of the weather in a protected area. Refer to the owner’s manual for more information on overwintering gasoline and cordless electric mowers.
Salt De-Icers: Avoid using de-icing salts to melt ice on paths, sidewalks and driveways. It’s harmful to pets, plants, soil, pollutes waterways and it’s toxic to salmon and sea life. Commercial non-salt, pet friendly de-icers are available or use sand, kitty litter or coffee grounds.
Protecting Plants
Wrap tender plants from head to toe.
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Protect overwintering potted plants by piling on leaves or straw.
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Protect plants in planters from top to bottom.
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Frost cracks are common on trees with thin bark.
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Protect vulnerable plants with frost blankets, old sheets and other fabric. Note that plastic has no insulating value and promotes rotting. Protect roots by placing a mulch, like a thick layer of fall leaves, on top of the soil and around plants. Add extra mulch over tender plants, especially up north. Protect saplings and thin-barked trees by wrapping their trunks to prevent vertical frost cracks. Here's more on Winterize Your Garden.
Protecting Palms, Bananas & Other Tropical Plants
If possible, protect the top bud on palm trees.
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Mulch bananas with their stems cut into pieces.
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A wrapped Australian tree fern.
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Palm trees, Australian tree palms and bananas that live on the edge of their hardiness zones need winter protection. Protect their roots with a 6 inch layer of fall leaves, straw or another mulch on top of the ground and surrounding area. Form cages around the plants and fill with fall foliage or straw. Protect the top bud on palm trees with burlap or another fabric because if that dies, so does the palm tree. Here's more on Tropical Plants Winter Protection
Ponds & Water Features
Move hardy waterlilies to deepest part of the pond.
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Prepare ponds & water features for winter.
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It got too cold for this fountain.
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Ponds: To inhibit the accumulation of mould, algae, and debris, regularly skim off leaves and organic material from the water. A long handled net easily removes debris from the bottom. Cut off dead and unsightly foliage from plants in and around the pond. Surprisingly, they also overwinter well if place in the compost pile. To retire water features during the winter, clean them thoroughly, blow out the lines and store pumps indoors. For more info click on Ponds in Winter.
Help Birds in Winter
Place a tennis ball in bird baths to prevent freezing so ice doesn't form.
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Anna's hummingbird doesn't migrate south for the winter.
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There are ways to keep nectar from freezing.
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Birds rely on feeders during the winter.
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Water for All: When the temperature drops and water turns to ice, birds and other wildlife have no drinkable water. To keep water from freezing, drop a tennis ball in a shallow tray, a birdbath or in your pond. Set it on a stable surface away from cats.
Tweety Birds: Birds have a really tough time during the winter. Help them out by hanging out suet cakes and keeping bird feeders stocked with fresh seeds. Inspect regularly. Discard rotting and sprouted seeds. Disinfect the feeder before filling with fresh seeds to prevent the spread of disease.
Hummingbirds: Anna’s hummingbirds stay throughout the winter in Southern British Columbia. Invite them into your garden with a couple of hummingbird feeders filled with nectar. Combine 1 cup of boiled water to ¼ cup of white sugar. Only use white sugar as honey, brown sugar or other sweetener is harmful to the hummingbirds. Hummingbirds in Winter.
Tweety Birds: Birds have a really tough time during the winter. Help them out by hanging out suet cakes and keeping bird feeders stocked with fresh seeds. Inspect regularly. Discard rotting and sprouted seeds. Disinfect the feeder before filling with fresh seeds to prevent the spread of disease.
Hummingbirds: Anna’s hummingbirds stay throughout the winter in Southern British Columbia. Invite them into your garden with a couple of hummingbird feeders filled with nectar. Combine 1 cup of boiled water to ¼ cup of white sugar. Only use white sugar as honey, brown sugar or other sweetener is harmful to the hummingbirds. Hummingbirds in Winter.
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