Need a Valentine’s Day idea? Garden gifts offer love and affection
Flowers for Valentine’s Day? Give creative combinations for the holiday of love and friendship. Here are some gift ideas:
Bouquet of sunflowers with an assortment of sunflower seed packets
The sunflower ( Helianthus annuus) is hard not to like. It’s bright, big and bold, with a sunshine-dipped tone that sings happiness and optimism. And the flowers turn facing the sun, a quality that we can all appreciate in a fluctuating world.
Native to North America, this annual is easy and quick growing from seed. Color combinations are numerous, from white to burgundy, with head forms that may contrast or complement the “petals.”
If your goal is to harvest seeds, then choose a single-head flower, like ‘Mammoth.’ True to its name, this variety grows 10 to 12 feet tall. Plant in a row to create more impact. Succession plant every two weeks to keep a continuous supply of color.
Multistem sunflowers produce more numerous but smaller flowers over a greater time frame. These are best for bouquets.
Choosing a pollenless variety will keep your tables tidy.
To start early, they can be planted in small containers with potting soil. Just be sure there is adequate drainage. Keep moist and do not let them get too dry. When 4 to 6 inches tall, transplant outside. Direct sow seeds about 1 inch deep in full sun and welldrained soil after any chance of frost. An average bloom time is around 60 days after planting.
A collection of tea with a spring-blooming camellia
Tea lovers may know that their beloved beverage comes from Camellia sinensis, but if you are not prepared for the quantity needed to pluck tender new leaves two at a time, there are alternatives for smaller urban yards.
Select Camellia japonica or Camellia sasanqua. Now is the perfect planting time for these large evergreen shrubs with thick, glossy leaves. They grow 6 to 12 feet tall. Plant in well-drained, slightly acidic soil, with added compost. Be sure to not plant any deeper than the soil line in the pot. Mulch the shallow roots to protect from temperature extremes and retain moisture.
White, pink and red flowers can take on six different forms that resemble roses, peonies and anemones. If there is a freeze, it will damage an open flower, but a bud that hasn’t opened yet will be protected.
Camellia japonica blooms October to April, depending on variety, and is stately in presence. It prefers part to full shade in our heat. Large blooms demand attention with their flawlessness, even if less profuse than sasanquas. ‘Taylor’s Perfection,’ a mid- to late-season bloomer, opens 4- to 5-inch flowers from March to April and are slightly more plentiful than most japonicas.
Camellia sasanqua’s smaller blooms blanket shrubs September to January. However, you will not find them blooming or budded for Valentine’s Day. They prefer part shade to sun, yet it would be wise to protect from afternoon sun.
Flower gifts
• What represents long-lasting love like long-lasting blooms? Orchid ( Phalaenopsis) flowers hang on for about two months. Aim for plants whose buds have not yet opened all the way, so that your love can enjoy the show longer. Add to the gift with a decorative pot — one that has a drainage hole and saucer under it to serve as a humidity tray. The last ingredient is a layer of pebbles on top of the saucer to set the pot upon. Add water to the rocks, but not above, to increase humidity. Once flowering is done, cut the stem and place the plant near an east or west window.
• A nerdy pun, such as “It’s thyme to garden, my love,” with a small collection of thyme plants will surely earn you some points. Garden centers are starting to add to their herb supply. Lemon thyme tends to be a litter hardier, but there are many options, including woolly, English and silver. Thyme ( Thymus vulgaris) prefers sunny, well-draining soil. It does not do well in high humidity and wet soil.
• Anthurium ( Anthrurium andraeanum) and heart-leafed philodendrons bring a literal sense of the holiday with their heart-shaped leaves and flowers.
• Let your love “bee your Valentine” with pollinator plants. Add a jar of local honey or a gift certificate to purchase caterpillars to raise for the garden.
It likely does not matter what you give a garden lover for Valentine’s Day, if it supports the garden, it will be embraced with gratefulness.
Also, glorious gardens abound around the area and await your visit. Go explore! Time spent outdoors is always time well spent.