Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide'

With holidays in full swing, I though it would be fun to take a look at one of my favorite Sasanqua Camellias - 'Yuletide'

A super versatile shrub that is easy to care for. With their red flowers and bright yellow stamens that can last for 2 or more months (from October - December), this plant can be treated as a speciman in your yard or patio. Like all sasanqua camellias, it will thrive in full sun as well as shade. Makes a good hedge and container plant.

USDA Zones 7-10
Full sun to partial shade
Acidic and well drained
Needs regular water
Evergreen shrub with a compact habit
2-5 feet (m) tall and wide
An abundance of single brilliant red flowers with bright yellow stamens

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Happy Holidays Everyone

Make A Poinsettia Tree!

If you ever have the opportunity, try decorating your house with a poinsettia tree!

All you need is a tree rack (pictured to the lower right) which come in several different sizes. Racks come as short as 3 feet and go up to well over 10 feet as shown here.

Making a smaller poinsettia tree can be just as breathtaking as a larger one, and if you put it on a table to give it a little extra height, or use it as a centerpiece, it can be the highlight of your house or party.

They are fast and easy to make and they are easy to care for. The major expense is the poinsettias themselves, but if you have a junior college or college in your area with a horticulture program, they likely have a poinsettia project. Because the students are growing the plants for experience, they usually charge less per plant than garden centers or grocery stores.

If you don't have a college nearby, then it could be a pricey decoration and you will have to make the determination if it is something you want to afford.

Whatever you end up doing, you can't deny poinsettia trees are absolutely gorgeous!

Gaultheria mucronata - Pernettya

Winter is upon us and if you're looking for a plant that gives good winter color with its berries, try Gaultheria mucronata also known as Pernettya mucronata.

Its common name is Prickly Heath, and it's an evergreen shrub that does well in climate zones 7-9. It grows to 5 feet (1.5 m) tall and as wide, with deep green, glossy leaves with sharp tips.

It bears clusters of small white flowers and purple fruit. It is quite showy in the winter. Some good cultivars to try are 'Bell's Seedling' or 'Mother of Pearl' or 'Mulberry Wine'

So if the winter blues are setting in - try some purple fruiting plants to liven your yard up!

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