STEVE KAWARATANI:Only 73 days left for Christmas gardening

“This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.” -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Too much agreement kills a chat.” -- Eldridge Cleaver

Our town stands by the values espoused by its citizenry... preservation of the village character, clean water and superior schools for our children, being just a few. We agree to disagree about the senior center, the Athens Group and the granting of revocable encroachment permits. But, at the end of the day, we mainly agree Laguna is a special place to live.

Despite the protectiveness we all feel toward our town; pollution, noise and view concerns diminish our quality of life … and even the best efforts of the City Council, Planning Commission and the Design Review Board cannot completely regulate development.

What struck me this week, however, was the shameless marketing of Christmas at a local business venue. Decking the halls with boughs of holly this early isn’t festive, at least from my perspective.

With Halloween a major, commercial holiday, trick-or-treaters and their parents will be spying on neighbor’s gardens next week. If your garden is short of being beautiful for the upcoming holidays, one must really 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. Available in standard red, pale pink, yellow and multi-colors, they will be making their appearance at your favorite retailer soon. Ensure good drainage through a properly prepared planting bed and avoid overhead watering for best results.

Catharine and I will be home for all the holidays. We’ll likely pass on handing out candy again, but Santa Claus, reindeer and lights are at ready. In fact, there are only 73 shopping days until Christmas. Please shop in Laguna and see you next time.