The twisted stems of a Harry Lauder's Walking Stick dusted with snow makes for an picturesque winter's landscape. Photo Amanda Jarrett
The Garden Website for DECember
December's Introduction - December Plant Combo - Amanda's Garden Blog - December Garden Chores
A Festive Planter - Ask Amanda - Plant Police - Houseplants
My December Flower Arrangement - Plant of the Month: Christmas Rose
A Festive Planter - Ask Amanda - Plant Police - Houseplants
My December Flower Arrangement - Plant of the Month: Christmas Rose
December PLANT COMBO |
Amanda's Garden Blog |
A path curls its way through the Korean Garden at Bear Creek Park.
At this time of year, a garden's bones are all we see. A good use of evergreens, deciduous trees and shrubs combined with hardscaping such as paths, and even a well placed garden ornament, ensures the garden is interesting and beautiful no matter what time of year it is.
In the garden above, an aging pagoda becomes a prominent focal point with the aid of the deep green shiny leaves of the Japanese spurge that surrounds it. In contrast to the flat, horizontal shape of the spurge, are two delicate leafless vase shaped Japanese maples. The winding path leads our eye to the lacey leaves of a dwarf bamboo and up into the taller bamboo behind it. The twisting path also as intrigue and mystery as it disappears around the corner. |
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Frosted cotoneaster berries.
December Intro
A few evergreen boughs, some cones, holly and a lantern is all it takes to turn a fall planter into a festive one.
 An orchid turns into a Christmas centerpiece with lights, silver cones and fake crystallized fruit.
As December brings winter to our doors, the long nights and short days can be quite gloomy. Donning the halls with boughs of cedar is a great way to brighten the indoors while filling the house with their lovely scent. If you are going to bring fresh greenery like evergreen boughs and wreaths
into the house, don't do it too early. They are good for up to two weeks and then they become a fire hazard. And keep candles away from them at all times. Battery operated 'candles' and Christmas lights are great options. There is no need to purchase evergreen boughs, pinecones, funky branches and colourful berries if you are lucky to have them in your garden or have a forest nearby. You don’t need much either as a little goes a long way. It’s amazing how attractive a few evergreen branches spruce up mantle or table setting. Even houseplants become special with a few pinecones, some interesting branches stuck into their soil. Add a string of lights around pots and branches as a vignette. I love the battery powered lights as you can put them anywhere; no outlet needed. A welcoming entrance is another way to celebrate the season. An unassuming front door is easily transformed with a simple evergreen bouquet tied together with a lovely ribbon. Convert an outside plant pot or a fancy urn with the addition of fab branches festooned with colourful berries and baubles. Have fun celebrating the season and have a safe and Merry Christmas. Cheers, Amanda A Festive Planter
This planter was transformed when multiple red twig dogwood stems and old funky branches were stuck vertically into the soil. To soften the look, cedar boughs and an ornamental Christmas plant were added.
 Heavenly bamboo leaves stay colourful through winter. And it won't run rampant as it is not really a bamboo.
If you don’t already have a cheery planter by the front door, either plant one up from scratch or add to an existing one in need of Christmas cheer.
A garden centre is a great place to go for inspiration as they have excellent seasonal planters on display to purchase. At this time of year nurseries go all out, offering attractive winter plants and lots of lovely Christmas baubles for inside and outside the home. When making your own festive planter, make a statement with a big and bold container and design. Make sure the planter has drainage holes to prevent water logging and stinky soil. Fill with sterile potting soil, not garden soil to avoid weeds and bugs in the mix. When it comes to plant selection, keep in mind that the plants have to be visible in the rain and snow. A background of deep green evergreen foliage is a great way to start. Broadleaf evergreens such as yuccas, fragrant sweetbox (Sarcococca spp.), skimmia (S. japonica) and boxwood (Buxus spp.) provide a backdrop and substance while complimenting the other more colourful, interesting plants. The upright bamboo-like canes of the heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica), is a graceful addition with its dainty red winter leaves. The Lemon Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa 'Goldcrest Wilma'), resembles a wee Christmas tree and bears bright chartreuse evergreen lemony scented leaves. Don’t forget winter heather (Erica carnea) and Scotch heather (Calluna vulgaris) as they flower their little heads off throughout the winter. Place them at the pot edges so they can cascade over. Speaking of flowers, winter pansies and primroses add splashes of colour so use them to create a colour scheme or add to an existing one. Coral bells (Heuchera spp.) are perfect for winter containers. There’s many varieties with different leaf shapes, textures and colours. ‘Crème Brulee’ is reminiscent of burnt crystallized sugar while ‘Plum Pudding’ coral bells have frilly, dark 'plum' coloured foliage. The shiny purple-black grassy leaves of black mondo grass, (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens') contrasts nicely with just about everything. Another cool ornamental grass is Japanese sedge. It bears slender arching green leaves with yellow or cream stripes. It’s a bright accent to the surrounding dark evergreens. 
Creme Brulee coral bells add colour and texture.
Putting It All Together
Place a large plant, such as a yucca, Lemon Cypress, a huge pinecone or even an old fashioned lantern in the middle to become a focal point. Fill in with smaller colourful plants such as coral bells, pansies, mondo grass and/or heather. Need more? Take it up a notch and add cut branches of cedar, pine or spruce boughs and berry branches. Need drama? Add vertical lines with interesting branches from trees and shrubs. Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick, Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’, or corkscrew willow, (Salix matsudana) have twisted and curly branches that don’t hesitate to bring attention to themselves. Paperpark maples (Acer griseum), white birch stems and red or green dogwood twigs add colour and form. Just stick them in the pot with the rest of the plants. A visit to your own garden may yield some treasures as it’s a great way to fill in a sparse planter whilst adding pizazz without spending any money. It is better to have a full opulent planter than as sparse one so don’t be scared to add lots of greenery. A Quickie Fix For a temporary seasonal display to discard after the holidays, grab one of your larger pots and fill it with potting soil, sand or even garden soil. This will provide an anchor for evergreen boughs, funky branches and anything else you to stick into it. Add ribbons and colourful baubles to make it festive. The cut branches should last quite a long time as it’s cool and wet outside. Have fun with it. 
Red twig dogwood, pines boughs and holly stuck into a pot is a quick festive fix.
Houseplants
Little spider webs indicates a spider mite infestation.
 The stippling of this leaf is a common symptom of spider mites.
Houseplants & Bugs: When the leaves of houseplants, overwintering annuals (ex: geraniums) and tropical plants such as bougainvillea turn yellow and drop off, they might have insects sucking their sap out of them – like wee little vampires. Their feeding makes the foliage appear dusty, yellow and mottled. Spider mites are a common sucking insect pest that infests houseplants during to the dry conditions caused by central heating. These tiny spiders are barely visible. Look for their wee spider webs under the foliage and in the nooks and crannies especially where stem and leaves meet. Sponge infected plants with a mild dishwashing liquid and lukewarm water. For small plants, just dip them upside down in the soapy solution with your hand straddling the top of the pot. Keep them submerged for a few seconds then upright them. Repeat every 7 days and don’t let them dry out so much between watering, and mist daily. Spider mites love dry soil.
If you see fuzzy white stuff in the nooks and crannies of houseplants such as jade plants and African violets, it could be mealy bugs. Cacti and succulents are especially prone. This common insect loves to infest plants that are grown inside, including greenhouses. Use a Q-tip dipped in alcohol rub (isopropyl alcohol) to remove each and every fuzzy bug. Mealybugs like wet soil and warm temperatures, so ease up on the watering and move plants away from any sources of heat. 
Mealybugs have infested this hoya.
plant police
Lack of light and irregular watering have taken its toll on this pothos.
Houseplants need special attention during the winter due to the lack of natural light. Less light means they require less water and food. This pothos was watered inadequately. The dead leaves are a result of not having a consistent soil moisture due to the soil drying too much then being drenched on more than one occasion. It also has not received adequate light in intensity or duration, that why the leaves are pale and not vigorous. Repotting to a smaller pot as the plant is smaller than it orginally was. Dead growth was also removed and more care was taken to its watering.
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Ask Amanda Cut Christmas trees need their water topped up every day to keep them fresh and lovely.
Hi Amanda,
Do you have any tips on keeping a cut Christmas tree so it keeps its needles? L.D. Hi LD, Great question. A dried out Christmas tree is not only a disappointing mess and ugly, it's also a fire hazard. When selecting a tree, make sure it is not already dried out. Needles should still be pliable, and stay on the branch when handled. A good test is to pick up the tree and while holding it, drop it. If you are left with a denuded Charlie Brown tree, then it is already dried out so look for another. As soon as you get the Christmas tree home, it's best to recut the stem end, taking a couple of inches off. Stem tissues quickly close, preventing the intake of water. Once the trunk is cut, place it in a bucket of warm water. Let it sit there overnight so it can drink as much as it can before putting it in its tree stand. And don’t forget to refill that tree stand daily. I like to keep a watering can nearby for the convenience and so I don't forget. And it just makes total sense to keep the tree away from vents, fireplaces and candles of course. Here's to a safe Christmas and no Charlie Brown trees going up in flames. Cheers, Amanda December Garden Chores
The scarlet firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea), bears bright orange berries throughout the winter.
Winter’s Garden Appeal (or lack thereof): A drab garden is easily spruced up with many interesting plants that provide colour, interesting shapes and textures. Anytime the garden lacks colour, go to your local plant nursery, as they will have the best and the brightest of the season on prominent display. It’s a good place to get Christmas presents too, especially for those who “love plants and love to garden”.
Putting Things Away: If you haven’t already done so clean, prepare and put away tools, garden equipment and the lawnmower etc. Drain garden hoses and turn off outside faucets so they don’t burst. Remove fertilizers and other garden products from unheated sheds and garages and store them in the basement or another frost free location. 
Dormant oil and lime sulfur and other garden produts, should be stored in a frost free place for winter.
Harvest: Keep on harvesting parsnips, winter cabbage, kale, chard, Brussels sprouts, leeks and any other winter crops as you need them. There’s no need to pull up everything. Keep them in the ground as it improves their flavor and preserves their freshness. To prolong the harvest of leafy crops (kale, chard and lettuce) throughout the winter, remove the leaves you need or take the top third of the plant off, but don’t dig it up. They often pump out new foliage, especially kale, if the weather cooperates. Kale is one tough cookie.
A cage full of leaves protects a banana plant.
Birds: Bird seed and suet go a long way to help birds survive the winter, especially in cities and suburbia as there are limited suitable green spaces. They also appreciate dry seed, which can be tricky during the fall and winter months due to the rain and snow. I couldn’t figure out why the birds weren’t visiting our usually very busy bird feeder so I took it down to have a look. Continuous heavy rains had soaked the seeds in the tray turning it into a mouldy, icky mess. It had wicked its way up into the remaining seeds contaminating everything. I threw all the seeds out and washed the feeder with hot soapy water and a bit of bleach. The birds quickly returned as word must have got out that their seedy diner was back in action.
Cuttings: Continue to take hardwood cuttings from trees and shrubs.
Slugs & Snails: Rainy days are great for slug hunting as they are out in droves. Carry a cup of salty water to plop them in. Show them whose boss. Weeds: If you are so inclined, go weed hunting. The weeds are weak now and don’t put up much of a fight making hand weeding easier. Garden beds: Don’t let garden beds go through the winter without covering the soil with 3 inches of organic mulch such as fallen leaves or purchase wood chips or even lay newspaper down. Shred it into pieces and lay it on thickly as it stops weeds, erosion and the loss of soil nutrients. Straw works well for veggie beds. 
Now is a good time to take hardwood cutting from roses and most other shrubs and trees.
Are you ready for winter & Snow?
Snow is a good insulator even when it decorates a winter planter.
 This perfect little Christmas tree, a Lemon cypress, has lovely yellow lemon scented leaves.
Don’t panic if snow buries everything as it’s a great insulator. The only issue is its weight. Unburden crushed plants in planters and in the garden with a broom as soon as possible. To prevent squished plants and broken branches, tie up any pyramidal and globe evergreens if you haven't already done so. This prevents the weight of the snow from distorting their lovely shapes. Evergreen magnolias, are especially prone to breakage as their limbs are brittle and snap easily.
Protect tender plants (elephant ear (Colocasia spp.), New Zealand flax (Phormium spp.), bananas, palm trees, hybrid tea roses, pineapple lily (Eucomis autumnalis), freesias, fuchsias and cannas Don’t use plastic as it promotes a rotting turning plants into a mushy mess and it has no insulating value. Cover tender plants with 6 inches of soil, leaves or mulch. You can also wrap above ground portion of plants with layers of burlap, sheets, rugs, and cardboard. Cage bananas, palms and tree ferns and fill the cage with foliage or mulch. Go into the garden after a downpour, high winds or a heavy snowfall to make sure everything is tickety-boo. Downed limbs, broken branches, toppled trees and smashed shrubs are all too common during the winter months. Remove any broken limbs especially from trees asap, upright any fallen plants if possible. While you’re at it, don’t let snow accumulate on balconies and rooftops as the structure may collapse with the extra weight. Winterize outside containers that are not used for seasonal winter displays but still contain trees, shrubs and perennial plants. Wrap the containers with bubble wrap, blankets and place in a protected and sheltered area near the house, or bury them in the garden up to their pots until spring. Check on them occasionally to ensure they are not drying out or becoming too wet, as both these scenarios will lead to their demise. For those containers used for winter displays, check on them often to make sure they don’t run out of water, or receive too much. And let's not forget Since many dahlias died last winter, many folk are opting to dig them out and store them - just in case.
Dahlias & Summer Bulbs: Get a move on if you haven’t already dug up and stored dahlias, tuberous begonias, gladiolus, cannas and other tender summer bulbs. Let them dry to cure in a frost free dry place for a week, knock off any extra soil and dust with cinnamon as it is a natural fungicide. To reduce rotting, store in cardboard boxes or paper bags filled with vermiculite etc., in a cool frost free area away from light.
Dahlias and other summer bulbs are stored after being cured in a frost free, dark and cool place.
Use sterile potting soil, peat or vermiculite to cover dahlias. Store in a frost free area.
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December Lawn Care
Keep off frosty lawns as injures the grass plants.
Rake the last of the fallen leaves from the lawn and rake into garden beds. Keep off the grass when it is frosty and frozen. Grass crowns (where the stems meet the roots) are easily broken when frozen. And no mowing when it is frosty. If you do get a chance to mow one last time, don’t cut the grass to short – 2.5 to 3 inches is best
Gift Plants
Red Glitter poinsettias
Gift Plants: Prolong the life of poinsettias, Christmas cactus and amaryllis by keeping them away from heating vents, cold windows, open windows, drafts etc. Place them in the brightest light possible, preferably a southern or west facing window. Allow the soil to slightly dry out between watering, but don’t let them dry out too much as this makes them prone to spider mites. Look for tiny webs with the tiniest spiders on the undersides of the leaves. Wash them down with soap and water every 7 days, mist daily and don’t let them dry out so much between watering.
Daffodils, hyacinths and tulips need to be treated differently that other gift plants as they are spring flowering bulbs. If possible keep them in a cool, sunny room to prolong their flowering. |
Remembering & Taking Notes: While it is still in your noggin’, make notes about your garden successes, failures and things you would do differently. Include a plan and some photos. This is especially important to do for the veggie garden so you can rotate crops more efficiently next year.
Jotting down your garden adventures from the year is a good idea while it's still fresh in your mind.
December Arrangement
December arrangement includes Emerald and Gold Euonymus, Hick's yew, Oregon grape holly, Peegee hydrangea, Douglas fir and Nootka rose hips.
for the tropical Gardener My book on Ornamental Tropical Shrubs is a colourful & informative reference book.
While working in Florida as horticultural consultant, it became apparent that there was a need for a book on tropical shrubs. There are so many wonderful shrubs to choose from, so I wrote a reference book to make the selections easier. Ornamental Tropical Shrubs includes pictures in full colour and information about the plants in point form. So if you live in the tropics and subtropics and need a reference book on tropical shrubs, or you just want to have a look-see click here.
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Plant of the month
Christmas Rose, Helleborus Niger
A spotted Lenten rose, Helleborus orientalis
Corsican hellebore, Helleborus corsicus
A pink hellebore.
Cotton Candy hellebore, Helleborus x hybridus 'Cotton Candy',has multiple petals.
The beauty of a hellebore is its simplicity.
A Lenten rose flowering in March.
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Common Name: Christmas rose
Botanical Name: Helleborus niger Form: course leaves, rounded plant Family: Ranunculaceae Species: niger Plant Type: herbaceous perennial evergreen Mature Size: 1ft to 2ft x 3ft wide Origin: Europe Hardiness Zone: 3-9 Foliage: dark green, leathery, thick, compound, palmate, serrated margins Stems: all stems, including flowers, arise from a central crown. Flowers: Winter flowering, held in nodding clusters with prominent yellow stamens. Petal shape, number and colours differ depending on variety: red, maroon, pink, peach, yellow, white, spotted and striped. Seed: numerous black seeds in a brown follicle, seeds are viable Exposure: part shade Soil: evenly moist, well-drained, needs water to establish new plants Uses: garden beds, containers, cut flower, houseplant, perennial & shrub border, slopes (to enjoy their nodding flowers). Propagation: harvest their seeds when their seed husk is brown and crispy. Place in a fridge for 8 weeks or allow them to seed themselves and let nature do the work. Plant can also be divided, but they don't do it too often as they like to be left undisturbed. Problems, slugs, snails. leaf spot, leaves, stems and roots are toxic if ingested. There are many types of hellebores but only one is the Christmas rose (H. niger) as it flowers at Christmas. The Lenten rose (H. orientals) blooms later and into early spring. Now with new and wonderful hybrids, selection is even better. Now is the time to go shopping for these winter jewels as you can see them in their prime. Hellebores is a well-loved winter plant associated with Christmas because its rose-type flower blossoms in December. This long blooming plant continues to treat us with exquisite beauty well into the spring. The plant itself is composed of a circle of large bold leaves. Out if its center, leafless flower stalks appear. The flowers vary in size, up to 4 inches wide depending on the variety. Most varieties have 5 single petals with many long yellowish stamens protruding from the flower’s center. Their blossoms also nod, hiding their beauty to protect them from rain and snow. Breeders have developed new varieties that keep their flowers more upright such as Helleborus x hybridus, but there are many different types to choose from. Some flowers are spotted, striped, doubled, have wavy petals with coloured edges; there’s so many to choose from. 
A Christmas rose, Helleborus niger.
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A bowl of cut hellebore flowers.
All types of hellebores are long lasting cut flowers.
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Hellebore leaves vary, but they all have 3 leaflets, like this Corsican hellebore leaflet.
The prominent stamens of a Lenten rose.
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The seed heads are inside a follicle.
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A Lenten rose that has gone to seed is still very pretty.
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Helleborus leaf spot is a common disease. Just remove infected leaves and don't compost them.
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THE GARDEN WEBSITE INDEX
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Container Growing 101Monthly Flower Arrangements
Growing Roses Introduction Mulching & Types Introduction |
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