In The Garden

In the Garden

Ralph Purkhiser, Purdue University Master Gardener

     We previously discussed the importance of keeping cut trees well hydrated, but what about the other formerly live plant materials that make it into our holiday decorations?  The basic truth is that everything that once grew from a root needs moisture to remain safe and attractive.  If you are using cut greens for only a couple of days, you may be able to keep them just by spraying them a couple of times a day with water.  However, if your decorations are meant to remain through the holidays, further steps are necessary.

     You could place each individual stem in a vial of water, much the way florists do for some special arrangements.  However, the water in these small vials is not enough to last long, and they will need to be refilled frequently.  Another option, is to put the greenery in vases, and change the water about every three days.  Probably the safest option is to use artificial greenery inside the house.  I am usually not a big fan of artificial plant material, but safety is the most important part of decorating.

     As the carol states, “The prettiest sight you’ll see is the holly that will be on your own front door.”  That is a good place for a holly wreath.  Outside, cut greens may be misted and should be fine for a few weeks.  You may also spray them with an anti-transpirant, which will help the material retain its natural moisture.

     We do not really know where the custom of placing a wreath on the door originated, but we do know that wreaths of laurel leaves were given to returning warriors in ancient Persia.  They wore them on their heads.  This custom later was passed to the Greeks, who gave laurel wreaths to champions in athletic events.  Wreaths were the original Olympic medals!  It is plausible to believe that those champions would later display the wreaths on the doors of their homes.

     Whatever the origin, by the Middle Ages, wreaths had become a part of Christmas decorating.  People had embraced the symbolism of the circular form as God’s unending love, and the evergreen boughs used in the construction symbolized eternal life. 

     As with trees, knowing the source of your wreath is important.  Buying a pre-made wreath at a big box store means that the material in the wreath has probably been cut several weeks ago.  If you want to keep your wreath around for a while longer, buy from a local craftsman who uses fresh-cut material.

     The freshest wreaths are the ones you make yourself.  It is not a terribly hard process.  All you need is some sort of round or oval base, floral wire and access to plant material.  The forms are generally available at craft stores.  You will find forms made of wire, plastic, Styrofoam and vines.  Personally, I prefer to make wreaths from grapevines that I braid into circles.  I then begin placing greens and other decorative plant material into the form.

     Use your imagination and what you have available.  Laurel and holly are the traditional materials, but any evergreen tree or shrub may yield materials for a wreath.  I even use the invasive Japanese honeysuckle vines to help form the wreath base.  While most commercially-available wreaths are made of a single plant, I like to mix it up.  I may use the evergreen leaves of hellebores as an accent on a wreath.  I like conifer foliage and the cones, but I also use broad-leaf evergreens, such as magnolia and rhododendron foliage.  Dried grass seed heads and flowers may also be used.  Spray paint is your friend.  I like to spray dried hydrangea blooms with silver, gold or metallic blue spray paint.  With such an accent, you may decide you do not even need to add a bow.

     Have fun.  Make your wreath unique.  No one else will have one exactly like yours.

In the Garden

Ralph Purkhiser, Purdue University Master Gardener

Dear Santa,

     I have truly tried to be good this year, but I always seem to fall short.  Still, I am sending my Christmas list, just in case.  You may at least get some ideas for the good gardeners on your list.

     As always, the first item on my list is rocks.  I need some gravel for paths and would love some large flagstones.  I would also like a large boulder with “Sandhill Gardens” carved on it.  You could just leave that down at the end of the driveway, where I plan to display it.  I would also like some large rocks to form terraces on some steep banks.

     Of course, all of this stone work would require some help.  Perhaps you could spare some elves after the Christmas rush at the North Pole.  Like many gardeners my age, I find that I need a little help lifting heavy objects.

     There are a lot of plants at Sandhill Gardens, but there are still some things I would like to add.  I especially would like to have some more evergreen trees, especially those with interesting forms.  I realize that the weather at this time is not conducive to plant transportation, so I am suggesting that you bring gift cards for my favorite local garden centers.  I think most gardeners would appreciate such cards, so they could buy spring plants, tools and other garden needs.

     My beloved French climbing roses are getting heavy and need a better trellis.  I really would like a custom-made steel trellis that will not bend with the weight of the roses.  Again, I will need help installing the trellis and getting the rose canes trained on it.

     Years ago, I designed a fountain for someone that looked like an antique truck was leaking from the radiator.  The bed of the truck was planted with cutting flowers.  I would like to do that again here at Sandhill Gardens.  For that, I need an old truck shell, a good heavy container for the water and a good pump system.  Once again, helpers for the installation would be great.

     I could also use some grow lights for my indoor plants.  I really like the kind that are on stakes that may be placed in individual pots, but I could also use some that would cover a larger area.  Some more heat mats would help with seed starting and plant propagation.

     Last summer was hard on my pots.  I managed to break several pots, so I need to get replacements.  I prefer glazed pots, with my favorites being cobalt blue.  I also need terra cotta pots for my cactus and succulent collection.

     I love music in the garden.  I have several wind chimes, but I would like some with deep sounds.  I also would like a wind harp.  I would like to get a series of outdoor speakers and connect them to a sound system in the house, so I could play music that would be soothing while I am out working in the garden.

     I have found that cordless electric garden tools make many garden jobs easier.  However, I find that I run out of battery power before I get finished.  Therefore, please bring me some extra batteries.  I have also seen a wall rack with the chargers hanging on it.  I would like a battery-powered pole saw, so I do not have to run extension cords when I need to do some trimming.

      If, as usual, I am going to get coal, I would ask that you make it charcoal this year.  That way, I could at least use it to cook hamburgers.

Merry Christmas,

Ralph

In the Garden

Ralph Purkhiser, Purdue University Master Gardener

     As I was driving down the highway last week, I came up behind a truck loaded with wrapped evergreen trees.  I found myself wondering where these trees had been grown and how long it had been since they had been cut.  I am sure they were heading to some store in the area, where they would be sold as Christmas trees.  In this day of warning labels ad nauseam, I wondered if they had a label to explain the dangers of buying such a tree to display in a home.

     While many people refer to such trees as “live” trees (as opposed to artificial trees) they are definitely NOT alive.  They died when they were cut from their root systems.  At that time, they began to dry and lose vigor.  They became fire hazards and sources for needles to litter the floors of many houses.  If they are expected to remain in the home until at least Christmas Day, they will have been cut for over a month!

     Picking a Christmas tree should be about much more than finding the perfect size, shape and fullness.  The freshness of the tree is of utmost importance.  Of course, the best way to ensure your tree is fresh is to cut it yourself, or at least choose one at an area tree farm.  This brings back fond memories of walks around my family’s property to pick the best tree to become our Christmas tree.  For us, that meant our Christmas tree was always an Eastern red cedar, as that was the only conifer that grew wild on the property.  I remember, also, the hurt I felt when a college acquaintance visited me at my family home and laughed that we used a native juniper (Yes, red cedars are really junipers.) as a Christmas tree.  The tree was never actually in the house.  Our small home had only four rooms (with the restroom located about a hundred yards west of the house), so there was never room for a Christmas tree indoors.  Instead, the tree sat on the front porch and was visible in the living room through a window.  Even with the tree outside, we were careful to only turn the lights on when we were home and to shut them off when we went to bed.  The lights used in those days could become hot and the now-dead tree would be tinder for a fire.

     Today’s LED lights are much safer, but one should still take precautions to prevent fires.  If you must buy a tree at a store, pull at the needles to check for freshness.  If the needles come off easily, the tree is too dry and will continue to dry when you take it home.  Once you get the tree home, cut off about an inch of the trunk.  This will expose some fresh wood that will take up water more readily.  The newly-cut stem should be put into water immediately, and the tree should be secured in a stand that has a generous water reservoir.  Check that reservoir frequently and keep it filled with fresh water.  There is no need to purchase any of the products that claim to keep a tree fresh.  Purdue University studies show that these products actually do very little to make the tree remain fresh.  They also discourage using any of the homemade alternatives, such as sugar, aspirin or lemon-lime soda.

     There are also other alternatives to using a cut tree.  Potted and balled-and-burlapped trees are actually living trees that may be planted in your yard after the holidays.  There are still some draw-backs.  These trees will break dormancy and the warmer temperatures in your home may cause them to begin to put on new growth.  That growth will not have time to adapt to the winter conditions when taken back outside, causing damage to the tree.  The live trees will still need to be watered while inside, and will continue to need irrigation when planted outside, as long as the ground is not frozen. 

     The Christmas tree is a big part of most Christmas celebrations, but I urge you to consider your safety.  It is, of course, acceptable to use an artificial tree, but do not expect me to like a tacky silver tree with a color wheel.

In the Garden

Ralph Purkhiser, Purdue University Master Gardener

     As the gardening season draws swiftly to an end, I look back at this year and count my blessings.  I have much for which to be thankful.

     As regular readers are well aware, this year was an important milestone for Sandhill Gardens.  I had worked hard to get the gardens in good shape for a celebration of the 100^th anniversary of my family’s gardens here in Northwest Township of Orange County.  While the weather dampened the planned celebration, I am truly thankful that I continue to garden where my ancestors began planting beautiful flowering shrubs and perennials.  I am thankful for the many plants that still survive in the gardens and for the heritage of gardening.  I am thankful that my grandmother and my parents taught me the joy of gardening and instilled in me a love of nature. 

     I received several gifts this year to mark this anniversary.  I thank my gardening friends for the plants, flower pots and garden décor I have received.  Several items were handcrafted, and they will be treasured reminders of the blessing of having wonderful and talented friends.

     I am thankful that my health, while not perfect, still allows me to work in the gardens.  I may require some help with heavy lifting and some difficult chores, but I still do most of the gardening myself.  I am also thankful for the help of a wonderful handyman.  He would not want me to name him here, but he has been a blessing, helping with cutting up large limbs and cutting some small trees.  Despite his busy schedule, he always seems to work me in when I need him.

     This year saw the completion of a long-time dream.  The concrete hand chairs are now in place at the top of the cliff.  I am thankful for my nephew and great nephew who wrestled those heavy chairs into place, where they will like be long after I am gone.  They make a wonderful place to sit and watch the sunsets.

     It was not the best year for gardens.  Like many, my garden did not produce well early in the season.  However, I had planted a little late, and when the vegetables did begin to come on, they produced well.  I had plenty for me and to share, and am still getting some salad greens from the raised beds.  For this, I am thankful.

     Lastly, I am thankful for everyone who shared my garden with me this year.  I love to show visitors around, and many of you have stopped by to see Sandhill Gardens.  I hope you were not disappointed, and I hope the plant starts than many of you received have thrived.  Gardens are meant to be shared.