I love it when my nears and dears give me garden-related gifts during the holidays. Any kind of plant is welcome, especially flowering ones. Gardening gifts are sometimes a little more problematic, because I am not a gadget person. That said, some of the best gifts have been very basic. Long ago, I received a high quality garden fork and spade that I still use almost every time I hit the dirt. My roses are hard on gloves, so the numerous holiday and birthday gifts of gloves have come in handy.
If you are buying for a gardener or at least a plant loving friend or relative this holiday season, think about what he or she will truly like or use. Most longtime plant lovers have too many objects, so unless you know someone very well or that person has made a specific request; steer clear of buying tools or equipment. Plants are great, but gear the purchase to the person. The following is my own version of online matchmaking, pairing plant gifts with types of plant lovers.
Black Thumbs/Loves Flowers: The Christmas amaryllis was made for this person. Each giant amaryllis bulb conceals an embryonic plant that has everything it needs for a splendid show this year. There is only one thing to remember as you buy or order amaryllis; the bigger the bulb, the flashier the end result. If your friend likes the DIY element, buy one of the kits that includes everything he or she will need to pot up the amaryllis and get it growing. If your friend’s black thumb is too pronounced for that, go to a nursery or garden center and get an attractively potted specimen that is already sprouting. All the recipient will have to do is put the pot in a bright spot and add water occasionally. After Christmas, your friend can either throw it out, guilt-free, or give it to another friend or relative for foster care leading to possible second year bloom.
Cactus and Succulent Fancier: This person probably already has a Thanksgiving/Christmas/holiday cactus or two. These sometimes go by their Latin name, Schlumbergera. The plants don’t look like much out of bloom, with their flattened, spineless leaves, but they are easy to care for and will repeat faithfully for years. For gift recipients who already have the standard red and pink Christmas cacti, try giving white, bi-colored or apricot-flowered specimens. Logee’s, in Connecticut, has one called ‘Aspen,’ which is white with frilly petal edges and a red ring in the throat of each flower.
Easy Care/Flashy Foliage: Give the “no muss, no fuss,” flashy foliage lover a croton, known botanically as Codiaeum or Codiaeum variegatum. The plants grow up to three feet tall when mature and feature large, long leaves splashed with green, yellow, orange, red and sometimes pink. Water when they feel dry to the touch, stick a few plant food spikes in the soil once a month and you have pretty much finished the maintenance chores. The plants need a bright spot indoors and will welcome the chance to spend the summer on the porch or in the garden. Crotons are the original happy plants and you can find them at almost all nurseries, garden centers and big box stores.
Potential Fancy Foliage Addict: If someone is well on the way to a plant addiction anyway, it’s best to get them on to something healthy. Rex begonias, with their multi-colored, swirling, ruffled leaves are just the ticket. Rexes are great for history lovers too, as they are typical Victorian parlor or conservatory specimens. I love the classic ‘Escargot,’ with its snail shell-shaped curling leaves of silver and green. With the vogue for foliage plants going strong, there are many rex varieties to choose from. The combinations of colors are stunning, including burgundy and silver; pink, white and darkest green; or raspberry and chocolate brown. The plants top out at about fourteen inches tall and grow nicely indoors in a bright window, set atop—not in—trays of pebbles and water. After the first year, when full-blown rex addiction has set in, you may have to content yourself with giving the newly minted rex addict gift certificates, as he or she may have gotten extremely fussy about the rex selection.
All of the above plants can be found in one form or another at a vast array of garden and general merchandisers. Buy the best quality you can and look for big, healthy plants, not just glossy pots and associated value-added. geegaws. For a lovely selection of traditional favorites, especially rex begonias, the company specialty, try Logee’s, 141 North Street, Danielson, CT 06239; (888)330-8038; www.logees.com. Free catalog.