The lovely poem Gloria read at the November meeting: The garden is rich with diversity With plants of a hundred families In the space between the trees With all the colours and fragrances. Basil, mint and lavender, Great Mystery keep my remembrance pure, Raspberry, Apple, Rose, Great Mystery fill my heart with love, Dill, anise, tansy, Holy winds blow in me. Rhododendron, zinnia, May my prayer be beautiful May my remembrance O Great Mystery be as incense to thee In the sacred grove of eternity As I smell and remember The ancient forests of earth. - Chinook Psalter
Do it yourself palm wreath from monstercircus.com http://monsterscircus.com/2016/12/diy-weaved-foliage-christmas-wreath/ ALSO BROWSE The Florida-Friendly Landscaping Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design: https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/FYN_Plant_Selection_Guide_2015.pdf Brevard County UF/IFAS Extension. Information is only a click away: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/brevard/ Gardening Solutions: http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/ Living Green: http://livinggreen.ifas.ufl.edu/ Garden Design Magazine online has a wealth of ideas and information about garden design and holiday floral design. https://www.gardendesign.com/flowers/arrangements.html Mother Nature Network offers inspiration f
Adjust irrigation based on rainfall. See Landscape Irrigation Deadhead & Inspect - Pick off dead blooms and seeds to encourage new flowers and monitor plants often for insects and disease.
Houseplants: Inspect regularly for pests on indoor plants. Keep in mind that plant-specific temperature, light, and humidity are key to ensuring that indoor plants thrive. See Houseplants Mulch/compost - Renew mulch to conserve water and discourage weeds. Use fallen leaves to provide the carbon ingredient needed for successful composting and also to make a good mulch. See Backyard Composting & Landscape Mulches Landscape and garden pests: Continue monitoring and treat as needed. While cooler weather generally means fewer pests, some populations actually increase at this time of year. See Garden Pest Insects Insect Management in the Home Garden Landscape Pest Management
Prepare for a Freeze by bringing potted orchids indoors if the forecast is for 50 degrees or below. Water plants well but do not drench if a short freeze is predicted and then keep your irrigation sprinkler off as long as there is a freeze warning. To be honest I haven’t brought any orchid inside for years and they have all somehow survived very cold nights. Protect tender tree-growing orchids, tomatoes, and tender bloomers from falling temperatures. Move mulch so it doesn’t touch stems of tender, young plants. See Cold Protection and Chilling Damage of Landscape Plants Winterize tender plants with liquid seaweed solution (e.g. Maxicrop or Neptune’s Harvest). Use as a foliar spray on both s
ROAD TRIP – Bok Tower Gardens a National Historic Landmark in Lake Wales. Holiday time at Bok Tower Gardens is always a treat. Holiday home tour tickets are available online to experience Pinewood Estate completely transformed into a holiday showplace reflecting the grandeur of the 1940s. Enjoy festive carillon concerts at 1pm & 3pm, seasonal holiday foliage and a full schedule of events and holiday programming. Until January 6, 20019.
Look for plants with a full cluster of cyathia (the true flowers) located in the center of the bracts, which are actually modified leaves and can be a variety of colors. The flowers should be tightly budded. The cyathia holds the pollen for the plant and as soon as it opens and sheds pollen, the leaves will start to fall off, typically the colored ones first. Check the base of the bract. New flowers are green and red-tipped. Mature cyathia are yellow. Poinsettia bracts maintain their color much longer if you select one that is in the beginning stages of flowering. Poinsettias Tip: Poinsettias are vibrant additions to holiday arrangements. A stems lasts a week or more if you cut it on the dia
Consider enjoying a live southern red cedar and then plant it in the landscape when the holidays are over. See Christmas Tree Selection and Care
In contrast to December national magazine covers that typically feature snowy holiday scenes, the 1929 magazine cover above depicts a map of Florida with a variety of the fruits and vegetables that have long brightened northern tables in the winter months. I remember vividly the vivid glow of the fragrant tangerine that was always at the toe of my Christmas stocking. A real treat in those days. We are so fortunate here to have a mild climate that provides fresh produce year round. Visit the Brevard County Farmers market at Wickham Park on Thursday afternoons and the Rockledge Gardens market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
December is a good month to add or transplant trees, shrubs and other plants and to divide perennials. You can add new cold tolerant fruits to the landscape but delay tropical fruit plantings until spring. Because of the cool weather, water loss through foliage will be low and above ground new growth minimal. This is a good time to plant herbs and most vegetable starts and start flower transplants. The days are warm and sunny; but as you know a sudden cold front can sweep in and wreak havoc on the landscape if you haven’t taken the precautions listed below. WHAT TO PLANT Annuals/Bedding plants: To add color to the winter garden, plant masses of petunia, pansy, and snapdragon. Hardy annuals t
