December / January 2009 | Home Magazine Article

- For the Virtual Magazine Click Here | December / January 2009 article in Home Magazine.

- To download the magazine Click Here (PDF) - our article is on page 32

For more information call: 352.333.9661

December / January Article

Jack Frost may be nipping at our noses, but North Florida still has a climate that makes most parts of the country envious. And that’s good news for Florida gardeners, as our growing season extends through the winter months.

Now is the time to plant an amazing array of cool season shrubs, flowering plants and trees. If you think that pansies are your only option for this time of the year, consider these flowering garden companions.

Iceland Poppies are the stars of the winter garden. These plants have interesting lettuce-like foliage and crepe paper flowers in bright colors of neon orange, rose pink and sunny yellow. Their fuzzy stems unfurl quickly and seem to pop out overnight, as their name suggests. Plant them in drifts for full effect.

Shasta daisies are perennials that usually bloom in the spring, but we stumbled across a variety that blooms all winter long and doesn’t stop until early summer. The 12-inch plants each make a mound of white daisies with yellow centers and make a great focal point in full sun to partial shade.

Camellias have long been cherished as winter bloomers. Cut blooms brought into the house can last for a week or two. Many gardeners will float the blossoms in bowls for a centerpiece on the holiday table. Yuletide is a camellia that sports large, single red blooms with prominent yellow stamens. This small-leafed camellia blooms from November through January.

Many people think that Christmas trees don’t grow in Florida, but the Deodora Cedar thrives in humid places that leave other evergreen trees wilted. This rapidly growing tree has a pyramid shape and soft blue green foliage. We suggest combining it with the burgundy color of Loropetalum, known as Ever- Red Sunset, for a stunning contrast in the landscape.

Now is the best time of the year to plant herbs for the kitchen garden. Most herbs enjoy sandy, well drained soil and at least half a day of sunlight. Rosemary, thyme, fennel and parsley are all evergreen and thrive in cool weather. Plant strawberries, lettuce and celery for frost tolerant salad fare.

Planting trees, shrubs and perennials now will allow roots to be established guaranteeing a spring show you will not soon forget. With the right selection and placement of plant material, you can have color and interest in your garden all year long.

Remember that Poinsettias are tropical plants, and they need covering in event of a freeze. Don’t over water them or let them sit in water, and they will stay colorful for months in a sunny windowsill. Who doesn’t like getting oranges in their holiday stockings? Citrus trees in the landscape can be ornamental and edible. Careful selection of cold hardy varieties will keep you eating oranges all winter. Originating in the north of Japan, Flying Dragon dwarf rootstock imparts amazing cold hardiness to any citrus variety grafted onto it.

Jon George is the owner of Cottage Gardens, Inc., a Gainesville-base landscape design and installation firm. He has been gardening in North Central Florida for more than 30 years. You may contact his staff for questions at cottagegardensinc@yahoo.com.