The holiday season evokes many memories of years past for me, probably for you too, and our senses bring those memories to life. Our minds see the bright red poinsettia and the green tree with the twinkly lights. We remember the taste of the candy cane or the tart cranberry and we can hear the snap of the fire in the fireplace. Do the scents of gingerbread and cinnamon take you home again? Some are memories of touch — the holly’s sharp leaves or the cup of cocoa warming your hands — perhaps a kiss under the mistletoe?
The gardener in me recognizes so many of these memories began as plants — peppermint for the candy cane, cocoa for the hot chocolate, the log in the fire, sugar cane to sweeten the cookies and of course, the evergreen tree. There are others too — sage for stuffing, the popcorn garland on the tree and the cedar wreath on the door. I remember Grandma’s always-present shining glass bowl (in my cupboard now) with fat purple grapes and sharp scented tangerines.
Other plants we think of at the holidays are mostly decorative and our senses, along with some basic plant knowledge, combine for their care. Poinsettias, amaryllis and Christmas cactus are available now at the florist and garden center. Paperwhites are popular but almost never rebloom, so they can be a gift to the compost pile. With the right handling, the others can continue to provide color and life past the holidays into the gray days of January.
Poinsettias (euphorbia species) are not easy to rebloom but here are the basic steps to try. Don’t water unless the soil feels dry, then water weekly until the leaves fade, usually March or April. Prune the plant back to about 4 inches and move to a shady spot. Decrease watering by half and repot if it is crowded. Beginning in early November give it twelve hours of bright sun and 12 hours of darkness. You may need a plant light and closet for this step! By holiday time, fingers crossed, the poinsettia should be colorful again.
The leaves of rosemary (salvia rosmarinus) resemble evergreen needles and can be trimmed into the traditional tree shape. Allow the soil of yours to dry a bit between waterings. Rosemary needs at least six hours of bright direct sun each day so a plant light is helpful to keep it going. It also likes some humidity and keeping it in a pebble-filled tray with water will provide it. If you have one outdoors be sure to bring in before frost. The scent is an extra holiday treat and you’ll have a bit to add when you roast a chicken.
An amaryllis bulb (hippeastrum species) in full bloom a quite a show. The tall stem shoots up and then that spectacular flower opens demanding our admiration. Many come with their own pot and soil and they bloom easily the first time. Keeping it in bright light prolongs the flower life. When those flowers do begin to fade, cut the stalk and keep watering the leaves until they begin to fade. Around the beginning of August, begin withholding water so the foliage dies back. Cut this off and put the potted bulb in a 50-60 degree spot in darkness. Bring it into the light and begin watering in early November. The flower bud should appear soon and the miracle of bloom should be ready for the winter holidays.
Always popular, the many varieties of Christmas cactus (schlumbergera) are easy to maintain after the holidays. Give it 4-6 hours of filtered sun each day and keep between 70-80 degrees during peak growth, April to September. When it has flower buds, lower night time temperatures to 55-65. Water when the soil is dry to the touch and feed it a dilute general plant food during the summer months.
Helleborus or the Christmas rose are perennials that are greenhouse grown for the winter holiday season. They can be planted in a shady spot when spring planting time comes with the right care. The plant has had an easy life in the greenhouse so a period of transition is necessary before planting outdoors. Move it to an unheated porch or enclosed patio and water sparingly. It could also go outside near a heated wall under a layer of mulch. In early spring, after storing in either spot, gradually acclimate it to the outdoors, either by removing the mulch over seven to 10 days or placing it outdoors for a longer period over the same number of days. It should be ready to be taken out of its pot and planted in a spot that is at least partially shaded in the summer.
With a little TLC, holiday plants can continue to brighten our winter days long after the cookies are eaten and the bells and ribbons are stored away, along with our happy holiday memories.
Emily Baker is a Purdue Extension master gardener and has been gardening nearly 50 years. She is member and past president of South Central Indiana Master Gardener Association. More information about the association is available at scimga.org. Information for this article was obtained from University of Nebraska Extension, University of Arkansas, Chicago Botanical Gardens and Purdue University Extension. Send comments to editorial@therepublic.com.
