Specifications Of The Red Chokeberries Plant

Red Chokeberry is a native plant to North eastern America, It was found growing in wet woods and wetlands. Chokeberries are attractive ornamental shrubs, naturally understory and woodland edge plants. Because they are native plants they are insect, pollution, and disease resistant. There are two well known species named for there colored fruit, red and black. This plant is a multi stemmed shrub, 6-12 feet tall and spreads readily by root sprouts. This is truly a plant for four seasons, in spring it produces clusters of white, five petaled flowers. They give way to dark green foliage throughout the summer months. This foliage turns from a lush green to a orange/red that really stands out in the fall garden. Also appearing are the bright red, pear shaped berries. These berries persist on the plant though December and January and along with the reddish brown exfoliating bark really standout in the winter landscape. Although the fruit persist though most of the winter, they are occasionally eaten by game birds and song birds and reportedly by bears. Because this plant is self pollinating only one plant is needed to produce berries. The juice from the berries is not sweet but is high in vitamin C and antioxidants. The berries can be used to make wine, jam, syrup, juice, soft spread, and tea. So if you are looking for a plant to spruce up your winter garden, give this plant a try.

One of the showiest ornamental trees for the winter garden is Winter King Hawthorn. The orange/red fruit which persist on the naked tree throughout the winter makes this a tree anyone would want in there garden. Unlike other hawthorns it has has very small thorns that are inconspicuous. Also unlike other hawthorns this plant is somewhat disease and pest free. This small to medium size tree will get to 20 to 30 feet in height and width. That makes this tree a good choice for small gardens, it is also a very good tree in urban areas were air pollution, poor drainage, compacted soils, and drought are common. The 2 inch clusters of white flowers that open in mid May, show up very nicely against the glossy green foliage. The outer bark of this hawthorn is beige-gray, which exfoliates to expose a warm cinnamon color under bark. The younger branches are a silver-gray color, bearing 1 inch thorns. The fall color although not its primary feature turners from green to a golden yellow, with hints of red and maroon. For winter interest, this is a plant that’s hard to beat.

Poinsettias make up for 85% of potted plants sales during the holiday season. Lastyear poinsettias amounted to $220 million in sales in the United States alone. Poinsettias are grown in all 50 states, with over 100 varieties available. Most poinsettias are grown from cuttings, these cuttings are stuck in mid to late summer and are grown to full mature plants in only a few months. This is best selling flowering potted plant in the United States, over 75 million sold and most within a six week period. The most popular color sold is red followed by pink and then white. Poinsettias are not poisonous if eaten, however some people may get a skin irritation from the milky sap.

How To Maintain The Perfect Poinsettias Gift

After you make your selection, make sure the plant is wrapped properly because exposure to low temperatures even for a few minutes can be damaging to this fragile tropical plant. When getting the plant home carefully unwrap it, place it in indirect light. Six or more hours of light daily is ideal. Keep your poinsettia away from warm or cold drafts; it likes daytime temperatures around 60 to 70 degrees and and night time around 55. Check soil for moisture, do not leave plant dry to wilting this tends to drop leaves sooner. Be sure to punch holes in foil so water can drain into saucer. Discard excess water in saucer these plants do not like to be water logged.A fresh poinsettia is one on which little or no pollen is showing on flower cluster in the center of the bracts. Plants that have shed there pollen will soon drop there colorful bracts. Most poinsettias are bought as seasonal annuals, if you are going to try to keep this plant after the holiday start fertilizing this plant after it stops blooming. Fertilize once a month with a water soluble houseplant fertilizer. Move poinsettia outdoors when danger of frost is passed. Place in a sunny area but were it will get moderate shade in the afternoon. To get the plant to re flower you will have to keep it in total darkness between 5pm and 8am. Starting around October 1 and continue until color shows on the bracts.

It is important to give your cut Christmas tree proper care from the time it is purchased until the tree is removed from the house. When purchasing a cut tree give it the freshness test by running your fingers though the needles. If it feels dry and brittle and a lot of needles come off, it is a tree that has been cut for a while and is not one that you should take into your house. When bring the tree home if it is not going to be set up right away it should be placed in a cool shaded area and also set up in a bucket of water to keep it from drying out.

How To Carefully Set Up A Christmas Tree

As you go to set the tree up in the house, if it has been more than 12 hours since the harvest of the tree, you will need to make a new cut 1/4 to 1/2 inches directly across the bottom of the trunk to improve water uptake. Use a tree stand that is large enough and can hold plenty of water. Avoid whittling down the sides of the trunk to fit the stand for these outer layers are most efficient in taking water up. The stand should hold at least one one quart of water for every inch of trunk diameter, the stand should hold at least one gallon of water. Keep the tree away from any heat source (fireplaces, heat vents, direct sunlight) lowering the temperature in the room will slow the drying out and reduce the water consumption each day. Check the water level daily a cut tree will absorb a lot of water, particularly during the first week. Be sure the water level does not fall below the bottom of the trunk. Check the tree for dryness. If the needles break easily or fall off in your hand, the tree is dry and should be removed. Have a safe and happy holiday.