Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2003
PDFfile available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/flowers.html

Holiday Blooms for Every Room
December 2003
Karen Hull, Johnson's East Greenhouse Manager

    This is a very exciting time of year. We are busy making holiday
plans and "to do" lists. There are family gatherings and holiday parties
to attend. There are trees to decorate; lights and garland to put up.
When decorating your home for the holidays, remember to use blooming
plants ... always a welcome addition to any decor. It's nice to enjoy
fresh blooms indoors when the wind is blowing outside and the colder
weather has set in, and we have a wide variety of blooming plants to
complement any home.

POINSETTIAS
    Poinsettias are probably the most popular Christmas plant. You see
them in every home during the holidays. At Johnson's, we have homegrown
(and all in the family) poinsettias. Our poinsettias are grown by Wes
Johnson (Marty and Linden's brother), who owns and operates Hesston
Plant Company in Hesston, Kansas. And these Johnson poinsettias are
beautiful! Among the red, white and pink poinsettias we'll have Plum
Pudding, Winter Rose and Monet.

PAPERWHITES
    Paperwhites are a bulb in the narcissus family and will bloom 2-3
weeks after planting. These easy-to-grow bulbs have a very strong
fragrance and small white blooms.

AMARYLLIS
    The amaryllis is a bulb that produces large, striking flowers. The
bigger the bulb, the bigger the bloom. We have varieties ranging from
miniatures to the huge Red Lion. Here are a few new varieties this year:

    ROYAL VELVET--rich, velvet-red color.
    CYBISTER--a cross between a miniature and a regular amaryllis.
       Varieties available are Chico (pink) and Ruby Meyer (red).
    AMPULO--pure white trumpet-shaped flowers.

    When planning the timing of your amaryllis blooms, allow 5-6 weeks.
We also have convenient gift-boxed amaryllis with everything needed
including the pot, soil and bulb. All you do is add water! This is an
excellent way to mail your Christmas gifts.

CHRISTMAS CACTUS
    Christmas Cactus are becoming more and more popular for holiday
blooms. Chances are your Grandmother had (and probably still does have)
a Christmas Cactus or two. When in bloom these are stunning! Christmas
Cactus requires a drop in night temperatures (not under 50 degrees) for
5-7 days to set on the buds. Placing the plant near a window is usually
enough of a drop in temperature to achieve this.

    When making your holiday plans this season, think of different ways
to use flowering plants around your home. We have blooms for every room
in your house, and you'll enjoy them long after the holidays are just a
memory.