Planting for the holidays

THE GARDEN FANATIC

“Holidays are an intensification of the conditions of ordinary

life ... well above average levels of stress, pressure, concentration

and monotony.”

-- Jean Baudrillard

“Attention shoppers ... there are only 47 days till Christmas.”

-- Anonymous

Now that election day is safely behind us, we should be able to

stroll merrily through Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and the New

Year. Yeah, right. Decking our doorway with boughs of holly and

shopping (for gay apparel) actually creates stress and pressure, at

least for me.

If you are on a mission to beautify your garden for the upcoming

holidays, commit to spending time in the garden now (or retain a

hired hand). Many annuals and perennials possess blossoms that are

showy through the New Year. But to enjoy them, you must get them

growing!

Camellias are particularly lovely during the fall and winter, and

will continue to bloom for months. Try planting C. sasanqua

varieties, in addition to the more familiar C. japonicas. Mulch their

beds with azalea mix, peat moss or leaf mold to keep them happy and

productive.

Delphinium, English primrose, foxglove, Iceland poppy, pansy and

stock top the Plant Man’s flower list for fall and winter. Prolific

bloomers, they prefer full sunlight but require very little else but

admiration.

Prized for its fragrance, lavender, Lavandula heterophylla, brings

a showy display of purple flowers throughout the year. It thrives in

well-draining soil and will grow either in full sun or partial shade.

Lavender can be trimmed as an attractive border plant or allowed to

sprawl in rock gardens.

If you want berries for the Christmas bough, plant Wilson Holly,

Ilex altaclarensis “Wilsonii,” rather than the better known Christmas

Holly, Ilex aquifolium. This hybrid is the best holly for Laguna and

is a heavy producer of bright red berries. Perfect as a patio tree,

espalier, shrub or hedge.

The smaller varieties of poinsettias are the ultimate symbol of

Christmas in the garden (far superior to those plastic Santas).

Available in standard red, pale pink, yellow and multicolors, they

will be making their appearance at a retail venue near you soon.

Ensure good drainage through a properly prepared planting bed and

avoid overhead watering for best results.

Catharine and I have just returned from an anniversary trip to

Oregon -- also a momentary escape from living our lives in Laguna. We

enjoyed a smooth return flight and were treated to the awesome vista

of snowcapped Mount Shasta, near the California border. It sorta

reminded me of ... (I can’t bring myself to say it yet). See you next

time.

* STEVE KAWARATANI is the owner of Landscapes by Laguna Nursery,

a design-build firm, at 1540 S. Coast Highway, Suite 206. A “hired

hand,” he makes his home with wife Catharine Cooper, an artist and

writer, and their three cats. He may be reached at 497-2438 or

Landscapes@ln.coxatwork.com.