Taking good care of your plants over the winter is something you should be thinking about and we have some items and some information to help you with that. If you have any questions about what to do for specific plants, please give us a call.

As you are getting ready for the holidays, don't forget about the Oriental Garden Supply Gift Certificate - available in all sizes, guaranteed to please any recipient, particularly if you are not sure what they would like. Right now you can get them at 10% off either at the nursery or, new this year, you can purchase a downloadable certificate right on the website! No need to trek out to the nursery. Purchase for a gift recipient or for yourself, and use them at the nursery or for your online order! Great deal!

Reminder: Our Winter Photo Contest is coming up and we will post more details in the next newsletter. Do plan to take pictures of a special plant or your landscape showing its beauty this winter. Note that pictures must be taken between December 15, 2014 and March 15, 2015. Look at that Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Crippsii' in the center of this picture - positively glowing!

We encourage you to come visit us at the nursery before we close at 4 PM on Friday, December 19th. Hours are 9 AM to 4 PM Monday - Friday now. We look forward to seeing your winter pictures and helping you finish your gift list here at OGS!

Al Pfeiffer, Owner
Oriental Garden Supply

Our climate zone often requires that we take extra measures to protect our plants over the harsh winter. Last year's winter should be a reminder that we cannot be lax about this! Selecting plants that are hardy to our area is the first step, along with making sure that the plant goes into winter with enough moisture to fend off the drying winter winds. Here at the nursery, we have polyhouses to protect the tenderest of our plants, but out in your landscape you may need to use other means to protect your investment from the elements. Correct siting, windbreaks, and temporary protective barriers such as burlap screens, hinged wooden covers, and newer products such as Shrub Coat will help. Certain plants may benefit from the spray application of antidessicants, but never use them on Chamaecyparis (Hinoki or other false cypresses) or Thuja (arborvitae) since the waxy coating prevents transpiration in these plants.

Paper or plastic tree wraps are helpful in preventing sunscald on thin-barked plants such as Japanese maples. They are also useful in reducing damage to susceptible young tree trunks from deer, rabbits, moles, and other animals. Liberal use of fencing or sprays or granular applications of critter repellents like Plantskydd in later winter months can also help remove your plants from their dinner menu.