Small checklist for freezing weather:

• Wrap plants in fabric instead of plastic.
• Inserting a small light bulb or strand of Christmas lights within wrapping helps keep temperature warmer.
• Water all plants WELL before temperature drops below freezing.

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Keeping Christmas Trees
Fresh and Safe

What many people don't realize is that when Christmas trees are cut from their farms, their life cycle is over. Anyone who decorates with fresh flowers knows that once a plant is removed from its life-supporting root system, it has a very short display period. There are some steps, however, that you can take to give your Christmas tree the best possible display time in your home.

We are Cornelius Nurseries want one of your most important purchases of the year to be enjoyable and long lasting.

Winter Garden Color Ideas

There are many choices for garden plants in Houston winter weather. Develop interest by combining colorful flowering plants with plants that have colorful and interesting leaves. Here are some suggestions:

• Using spiky, dramatic foliage plants like Acanthus or Cardoon as focal points, create added interest with snapdragons, geraniums or petunias - all ideal for winter full-sun gardens.
• For partially shady winter gardens, our best blooming plant is Cyclamen. And they are able to withstand short-duration freezes without damage. Consider combining these with foliage type plants like Dusty Miller, Aspidistra or English Ivy.

Bulbs

Now is a good time to begin planting your fall bulbs for spring flowers. Those bulbs that have been in refrigeration can be planted beginning now through the New Year's holiday. Tulips, hyacinths, crocus are particularly ones that need the chilling.

Other non-refrigerated bulbs like daffodils, narcissus, paperwhites, amaryllis, freesia and anemone can be planted later with two weeks or so between planting dates. This staggered planting method will give you prolonged blooming into the early Spring.

'Tis the Season

This Holiday Season is especially beautiful. Maybe it's the fallout from the horrific situation a year ago, but this year's decorating ideas are so fresh and wonderful. Decorators find the use of more natural, realistic colors to be a fresh departure from the "designer" colors of the '90s.

Real or not?

The manufacturing of silk and artificial flowers and foliages has taken a quantum leap forward. It is virtually impossible to distinguish a man-made stem from a natural one without close scrutiny or touching. Orchids are one item that comes to mind. Some are so realistic that they defy the imagination.

Interesting combinations

As with living container gardens, the design of an artificial arrangement contains elements that create interest. Upright, striking and bold flowers or foliage contrast beautifully with cascading elements like ivies and trailing flowers. Using a light-dark contrast theme is also a creative way to add interest. And there is always a place for the monochromatic theme, taking advantage of elegant simplicity.

Thank You ...

... for taking the time to read our newsletter. We encourage you to write us with gardening questions whenever you have the need. We often answer your inquiries in a few minutes.

January will bring trips to organize our spring selections, so if you have anything that has been eluding your grasp, let us know and we will keep our eyes open for it.