BEYOND POINSETTIA
Four plants to give at the holidays
Without question, the poinsettia is the quintessential Christmas holiday plant. U.S. producers sold more than 47 million poinsettias in 2019, or four times the number of live Christmas trees sold, according to the USDA’s Agricultural Statistics Service.
This wasn’t always the case. The rise in popularity of the poinsettia can be traced back to the efforts of the Ecke family in Southern California beginning in the early 1900s. At their ranch in Encinitas, three generations of Eckes focused their business on the poinsettia and astutely promoted it for Christmas. By 1986, it had replaced chrysanthemum as the top selling flowering potted plant in the United States.
At one point, the Ecke family was involved in
90% of the growth and distribution of poinsettias in the U.S. In 2012, Ecke sold its business to a
Dutch conglomerate; now, hundreds of U.S. businesses produce poinsettias, selling $215 million worth in 2022. Imports accounted for $11.5 million more, the statistics service said.
How’s that for growth? Though poinsettia may be the first plant that comes to mind for the Christmas holidays, several others have long been associated with the season and deserve a spot in your home. These make great holiday gifts that can be enjoyed throughout the holidays and beyond. Just be sure to match the plant’s maintenance needs with the recipient’s temperament and skill.
CYCLAMEN
Back in the day, before the poinsettia had established itself as the Christmas plant, cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) was popular at the holidays. It had one big advantage over the poinsettia then, and still does: longevity. If while shopping you see the florist cyclamen, as it’s called, check it out. It is an outstanding flowering houseplant that will test your horticultural prowess.
Take care to pick one that has lots of tight buds. Spread the canopy, look inside at the corm (the stem base) and make sure more buds are on the way. Find cyclamen a bright window, but in a cool room, and watch the plant explode with long-lasting blooms for an extended period. Take care with the watering. Water only from below; do not overwater, but don’t let the plant wilt.
After it finishes blooming, let it rest and go dormant. With a little luck, you should be able to get it to bloom again next season.
HOLIDAY CACTI
Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter? The Christmas cactus, Schlumbergera bridgesii, is distinguishable from the other two, with its rounded or scalloped segments (phylloclades) rather than pointy-teeth or distinctly rounded ones. Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti take about six weeks to bud; the Easter cactus, a bit longer.
As with the poinsettia, they are photoperiodic and require more than 13 hours of uninterrupted darkness, depending on temperature, to set buds. The ideal temperature for flower development is 50 to 55 degrees. Once buds form, the plant can be brought into warmer conditions. And when in bloom, the flowers last a week or so.
When purchasing, choose plants that have plenty of tight buds. Indoors, plants can be a little finicky and begin dropping their buds. Take care not to provide too high temperature or drafts, whether warm or cold. Bright light, yes; direct light, no. Plants do not like to be fertilized during flower initiation and bloom and should be kept slightly on the dry side.
ROSEMARY
A symbol of fidelity, respect and remembrance, and with a long religious tradition, rosemary has been used during the Christmas season in Europe since the 16th century. Various religious legends associate the winter blue flowers with Mary and the baby Jesus.
“Ros marinus,” the original name, is
Latin for “dew of the sea,” a reference to its native habitat on the Mediterranean coastline. Rosmarinus officinalis is an attractive landscape plant. Indispensable in cooking, rosemary often occupies a prominent spot in kitchen gardens.
The miniature rosemary Christmas trees are popular over the holidays. But they can be tricky to maintain indoors over the winter, since they are best suited for outside. Try rotating them outside when you can until spring, and then to a final resting spot that is sunny and does not stay too wet.
MISTLETOE
Phoradendron leucarpum, a parasitic plant, grows on a wide variety of host trees in the Eastern United States and Mexico. Spread by birds, the seeds germinate in the branches of trees; the developing haustoria — growths from the mistletoe’s roots — penetrate the host’s vascular system to secure water and nutrients. Not good for the tree.
In ancient times, the Druids believed that hanging a sprig in the house would ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. In Norse mythology, it was a sign of love and friendship. The original custom of kissing under the mistletoe comes from England.
And one more thing (or two)
How’s your garden and landscape experience been this season? Trying something different or new? What worked, or didn’t work? Any surprises? Write in and let us know — and please add your tried and proven gardening gift ideas so we can help readers with their holiday shopping.