December 2013
Vol 3, Issue 8


Garden Notes
Garden Notes Logo Bird


Greetings from Christianson's!
 

 

 

 

"For last year's words belong to last year's language

And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning."

 

~ T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"

 

 

In November of 2010, during a casual conversation with my new friend, Toni Christianson, I followed a little instinctive nudge and offered to help out at the Holiday Tea at Christianson's Nursery. Toni explained that this annual event is always on the Saturday following Thanksgiving and is held in the Nursery's 1888 one-room schoolhouse. I didn't know exactly what I was getting into, but it sounded festive and I was happy to help.

 

The moment I entered the Schoolhouse on that blustery afternoon, my jaw dropped and my heart soared. It was like walking into the holiday cover page of a home and garden magazine, only far better. A stunning bouquet of white roses and evergreen sprigs graced the rustic wood counter near the entrance, fresh garlands and wreaths adorned each window, and tea candles were sprinkled everywhere. On the far wall, a row of small birch trees sparkled with twinkle lights and a long side table was covered with silver trays of beautifully prepared sweets and savories. The center of the room was filled with round tables with white linen tablecloths and simple botanical centerpieces. As the old stove roared in the corner and live violin music filled the air, the guests began to arrive.  

 

From that day forward, I was hooked - hopelessly captivated by the magic of this amazing place.

 

That was the beginning, and here I am today, preparing the thirty-second issue of Garden Notes. What a gift it has been to create something so fun for a place I love so much.  Some months have been more challenging, especially when the sun was shining and my garden was calling, but it has always been a labor of love.   

  

And yet, as another year draws to a close, my instincts are telling me that it's time to pass this opportunity on to someone new - and that someone is Debra Lacy, the Nursery's new Classes, Events and Communications Coordinator.

 

Debra brings the perfect combination of skills and experience to this job. Best of all, she is a gardener to her core. For the past few weeks, she and I have been working together on this issue of Garden Notes, and I am continually amazed (and inspired) by the depth and breadth of her knowledge and enthusiasm.  Starting in January, Debra will be the new editor of Garden Notes and I'm excited to see how it grows and evolves under her expert care. 

 

You will still see me at the Nursery, but instead of carrying a notebook and dashing off to work on my next deadline, I will be bringing my family and friends to classes, festivals, and future holiday teas, enjoying picnics in the Schoolhouse Garden, reading Garden Notes, and meandering happily through the greenhouses.

 

Thank you for reading and sharing Garden Notes, and for all your wonderful feedback along the way.  It has been a joy and a privilege to be a part of it.  

 

And now...pour yourself a cup of tea, settle in, and enjoy this issue of Garden Notes.

 

Season's Greetings, everyone!

 

Eve Boe, Garden Notes Editor

In This Issue
Calendar Highlights
The Garden in December
Seasonal Specials
Primrose for the Holidays
Staff Picks
December Classes & Events
Fresh Ideas
Closing Thought
Quick Links

 

2013 Rose List

 

Garden Gazette: April - June 2013  

Garden Gazette: Feb - March 2013

Garden Gazette: Archives  

 

Christianson's Nursery

   

La Conner Chamber of Commerce  

Mt Vernon Chamber of Commerce

  

Where To Find Us

 Basic Logo

 

15806 Best Road

Mount Vernon, WA  98273

Map and directions 

www.christiansonsnursery.com 

 

360-466-3821

1-800-585-8200

 

 

Winter Hours 

Open daily 9 am - 5 pm  

 

Holiday Hours

 

December 24:

Open 9 am - 3 pm

(closed December 25) 

 

December 31:

Open 9 am - 3 pm

(closed January 1)  

      

Weekly Radio Broadcast: 

Sunday Mornings at 10:30 am 

 The Garden Show
with John and Mike
KAPS AM 660 

 

Voted Best Greenhouse and Nursery

in Skagit Publishing's

People's Choice Awards for

2010, 2011 and 2012 

   

NW Flower & Garden Show

"People's Choice Award 2011"

 

   


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Calendar Highlight
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Upcoming Classes & Events

Snow Geese by John Holtman

Saturday, December 7  ** NEW DATE **
1 pm:  Swans of the Skagit

Saturday, December 14
11 am:  Snow Geese of the Skagit

These classes are very popular and fill up quickly. Please call us soon to reserve your spot at 1-800-585-8200.
 
 
For more information visit our web site at

The Garden in December
by Rachel Anderson

 

It seems to me that the sunrise in winter is so much more beautiful than at other times of the year.  Maybe it's because the sun is so seldom seen here in December, that when the clouds part and I am able see the peach and rose hues of a winter sunrise, I can't help but stop and stare transfixed and mesmerized by the color and brightness.  Or maybe it's because the sun rises so much later in the morning that I'm actually awake to witness it.  That's probably it right there.  But that doesn't make it any less beautiful, especially at this, the darkest time of the year, when colors and light are most welcome.   

 

There's really not a whole lot to do in the garden in December, especially with our attention turned indoors for the holidays.  But if you really must get out there and do some puttering, here are a few suggestions:

  • Keep bird feeders and bird baths full, clean, and free of ice.
  • Take care of your tools.  Store them somewhere dry when you're not using them.  Now is a great time to clean, sharpen, and oil your pruners and loppers because pruning season is right around the corner.  If you're unsure how to do it yourself, check with your local hardware store.  Sometimes they will offer that service and do it for you.
  • If you're into making wreaths for the holidays, take a look around your garden for interesting materials to use.  It's okay to do some light pruning on most trees and shrubs this time of year and there are tons of great garden plants that make beautiful accents in wreaths.  Get creative!  Don't forget that at the nursery, we have a few wreath machines that are available to use free of charge.  Just make sure to call ahead and schedule a time to come in.  It's really fun and your creations make great gifts!
  • If you're missing the color and fragrance of flowers in your garden this time of year, then consider planting a few winter flowering shrubs and perennials.  There are a surprising amount of things you can plant in our climate that will flower despite the cold, wet season like Daphne odora, witch hazel, Camellia sasanqua (of which we have an incredible selection right now), Sarcococca (sweet box), Garrya, Mahonia, winter heather, hellebores, and others that I've surely forgotten.  Also, the flower buds on Pieris are very beautiful and interesting this time of year.  Many of these plants are deer resistant and evergreen, and provide a much needed nectar source for overwintering hummingbirds. 
  • If you're planning to get a living Christmas tree this year, make sure that it's not in the house for longer than 10 days.  Water it well before you bring it in and then at least once while it's in the house.  Put a saucer underneath it to catch any water that drains out the bottom of the pot.  When the time comes to put it back outdoors, place it in a protected area for a week or so (depending on the weather) to get it used to being out in the cold again.
  • To prevent your paperwhites form getting too tall and floppy, give them a drink.  Of alcohol, that is.  Research has shown that a 5% alcohol/water solution stunts the growth of potted paperwhites.  Use only distilled alcohol like gin, vodka, or tequila, or rubbing alcohol can also be used.  Don't use beer or wine as the sugars can damage the plants.  Use a 1:7 ratio alcohol to water if you're going to use distilled. Use a 1:10 ratio if you're using rubbing alcohol.  This trick only seems to work with bulbs that are forced using the pebbles and water method.  Once your bulbs have begun to root out and grow, pour off the old water and replace it with the alcohol solution and only use that for future waterings.
  • If you have plants that for one reason or another you haven't gotten into the ground yet, make sure to protect them during cold frozen weather.  Sometimes just pulling them up against the side of the house is protection enough.  However, if your plants are on the marginal side as far as hardiness, then it would be better to put them in the garage or something similar until things warm up again.  No matter what the plants are, be sure to keep them watered.  Watered plants have a much better chance of weathering the storm than dry plants.  So go ahead and make plant-cicles.  It's a good thing!  Of course, the very best thing you could do is get your plants in the ground with a nice blanket of mulch to protect new roots.

Stay warm and cozy, and have a great holiday!

 

 To download a printable copy of this article, click here 




Rachel has been gardening since childhood, thanks to her mom, and has been part of the team at Christianson's since 2002.  She's a Certified Professional Horticulturist with a passion for roses and vegetable gardening.  Rachel and her family enjoy gardening together and now share their urban garden with a menagerie of ducks, chickens, two cats, and a dog.
   

Seasonal Specials
 
Variegated English Holly
DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS 

  

Custom-made wreaths 
Our in-house designers have created beautiful botanical wreaths using traditional 
fresh greens as well as red twig dogwood, grasses, teasel, rose hips, cypress, and more.

Living Christmas trees and
fresh holiday greens, garlands, wreaths and swags

   

Hellebores ~ the Christmas Rose 
We have many new varieties that were bred in Germany
for a hardy, holiday flower in December

 2014 roses will start arriving in December!   


2014 selections of balled and burlapped specimen trees and shrubs
Parrotia,magnolias, dogwoods, Japanese maples, conifers, witch hazel,
yellow berry English Holly, and many more, and all at great prices!

Click here for planting instructions for balled and burlapped trees  
 

 

DECEMBER SPECIALS

 

December 2 - 31

Christmas Holly - 20% off

traditional English holly plus many rare and uncommon varieties 

 

Primrose for the Holidays



Primrose is dressed from floor to ceiling in festive holiday finery and filled with special treasures for your holiday decorating, entertaining, and gift-giving.  Here are just a few of the many one-of-a-kind items you will find in Primrose this season:
  • Shop from our eight holiday trees!  Each tree is decorated with an assortment of beautiful and whimsical ornaments, many of which are vintage, including snowflakes, woodland animals, and icicles.   
  • Antique French linens, including quilts from Europe, winter-white coverlets from America, and vintage pillow shams.
  • Handmade rose hip wreaths, beautifully crafted by Laura, our in-house wreath designer.   
  • Scented holiday candles. One of our favorites is 'Fir & Grapefruit' by Barr Co. It comes in festive jars, is sentimental and mildly scented. 
  • Beautiful all-occasion glassware and vintage ironstone serving pieces to dress your holiday table.
  • Mantle and centerpiece decorations and locally made hand-carded mohair snow. 
  • For holiday entertaining and decorating, we carry a wonderful selection of seasonal napkins, paper plates and many other unique items to brighten your home this holiday season.
  • Colorful, organic hand-painted pasta from Italy, organic microwave popcorn in various delicious flavors, jarred horseradish, condiments and many other specialty culinary items perfect as hostess gifts or stocking stuffers.   
  • Books!  Primrose is filled with a wonderful selection of children's books, home and garden books, and cookbooks.  

To learn about the history of Primrose and see more photos,

please visit our website

Staff Picks

 


This month our 'Staff Picks' come from Eric Andrews, a Christianson's staff member since 2000. Eric was in his early twenties when he first discovered his passion for plants and landscape design and he jumped in with both feet - simultaneously working at Molbak's Nurseryin Woodinville and studying environmental horticulture at Lake Washington Technical College. Since joining the staff at Christianson's, Eric has continued doing landscape design work and has become the Nursery's expert in ornamental grasses and bamboos as well as indoor plant buyer. He also creates many of the beautiful plant displays you see at the Nursery.  When he's not at Christianson's or doing design projects, Eric is busy at home playing with his two young children and working in his own garden.  These are some of Eric's favorite indoor plants:

 

Araucaria heterophylla: The Norfolk Island pine is a really cool year-around interest plant. In the winter, use as a small, indoor Christmas tree and enjoy the nice, soft foliage the rest of the year.

 

Agloenema sp.: Chinese Evergreens have good looking foliage for low light areas of your home or office. They tolerate a fair amount of neglect for those gardeners who are self prescribed black thumbs. Let the top inch of soil dry between thorough waterings.   

Agloenema sp.

Peperomia griseoargentea: Silerleaf pepper is another lower light plant that also tolerates neglect. The round, pleated leaves add interesting metalic textures. A perfect plant for the person who wants a smaller specimen for the coffee table or north windowsill.

 

Aeschynus spp.: Lipstick vines have flowers shaped like tubes of lipstick, thus their namesake. This easy to grow plant takes medium light and is great to grow over an urn or as an indoor hanging basket. Lipstick vines takes medium light so an east window is perfect.  

 

Peperomia griseoargentea

Dizygotheca elegantissima: False Aralia's are a personal favorite of mine because they have beautiful dark blackish-green leaves that are shaped like a large Japanese lace-leaf maple leaves. This plant requires bright light and is a good substitute for Ficus.

    

Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish: A truly dwarf version of their big banana cousins that are easy to grow in high light and moist conditions. If they get enough light, they will produce edible, rich tasting fruit when mature. Grows to 8 feet tall, so looks great under a vaulted ceiling or your personal conservatory. If space is a problem, the super dwarf variety grows to only 3 feet.

 

Dizygotheca elegantissima

Rhapis excelsa: The Lady Palm is a great plant because the leaves don't dry out on the tips as much as other palms and they take lower light conditions. They tolerate cold temperatures down to freezing, so can sit outside under your front porch well until fall. Slow growing, these palms won't take over your house.

 

Haworthia fasciata: With some neglect and lots of sun, this striped relative of the Aloe will develop red overtones. These cute little plants stay to around 4 inches tall and bloom spikes of coral colored tubular flowers. Very easy to grow, but requires a south window and moderate watering in the summer. Water less frequently in the winter.

 


Rhapis excelsa

All these selections are good looking and easy to grow. Eric is tormented on his selections because there are so many good looking indoor plants to choose from. He'd be happy to help you with your selection, and considers these picks a good place to start.

 

Here's a great gift idea...

The Unexpected Houseplant by Tovah Martin highlights 220 extraordinary houseplant choices. This book will be available at Christianson's in mid-December.
Visit Tovah Martin's website for more information.

 

 

December Classes & Events   

 Classes

Saturday, December 7 

Swans of the Skagit
1 pm - 2 pm 
(reservations required - $5 class fee)

   

The majestic beauty of fields filled with white swans, both native trumpeters and tundras, is virtually at Christianson's doorstep in December, January and February. Come hear wildlife biologist Martha Jordan describe these amazing birds - the largest waterfowl in the world - and Skagit Valley's best places to view them. Martha is the coordinator for Washington Swan Stewards, which is the local branch of The Trumpeter Swan Society. Make your reservations early as this was a wildly popular talk last year!

 

 

Saturday, December 14

Snow Geese of the Skagit
1 pm - 2 pm 
(reservations required - $5 class fee)

 

Snow geese create an awesome winter sight on Skagit Valley farmlands, as huge numbers migrate here from Alaska and Wrangell Island, Russia. Come learn more about their fascinating history and challenges with wildlife biologist Martha Jordan. Martha is the coordinator for Washington Swan Stewards, which is the local branch of

The Trumpeter Swan Society. Make your reservations early!

 

 

Classes fill up fast so reserve your spot soon.
Please call us at 360-466-3821 or 1-800-585-8200

Fresh Ideas

Here's an assortment of fun ideas, helpful tips and great recipes for December.  Simply click on a photo you like (or the link below the photo) to learn more. We hope you enjoy this month's collection of fresh ideas!


Cosmopolitan:
the perfect holiday cocktail












Decorating with
oranges and cloves
Mulling spice recipe
The care and feeding of your living Christmas Tree
Move the forest indoors
(photo by Kindra Clineff)
Closing Thought...
 

"Let the children have their night of fun and laughter,

let the gifts of Father Christmas delight their play.

Let us grown-ups share to the full in their unstinted pleasures."

 

~ Sir Winston Churchill

 

 

 
Garden Notes Editor:
Eve Boe, Public Relations
Christianson's Nursery & Greenhouse
360-466-3821