“It is never too early to prepare for the holidays, and there is so much more to Christmas decorating than pine trees, wreaths and garland,” says Jesseline Gough, Marketing Coordinator at pickOntario. “This winter, encourage your family and friends to spice up their holiday décor with Ontario-grown flowers and plants.”
And no, it is not all about poinsettias.
With plenty of stunning flowers and plants growing right in your backyard, Jesseline has put together a list of her seasonal Ontario-grown favourites:
- Potted Christmas Cactus– Looking more like a flowering plant than a cactus, the Christmas or Zygo Cactus comes in several different colours, including red and white for the holiday season. The Christmas Cactus has tubular flowers with reflexed petals on extended stems.
- Potted Frosty Ferns – These charming ferns are becoming very popular around the holiday season as they give the appearance of miniature Christmas trees with frosty tips. They enjoy low light and well watered soil.
- Potted or cut Amaryllis –These flowers are the perfect centerpiece for your next festive holiday feast. Growing to 12-20 inches high, Amaryllis is grown from a bulb and produces several trumpet-shaped flowers. With bright, colourful petals, typically red in colour, Amaryllis is a great substitute for the Poinsettia. You can usually find this plant in stores in November and December.
- Potted Cyclamen – This oft-overlooked beautiful holiday plant will bloom continuously throughout the winter months, and is available in snowy white or bright jewel-like tones.
- Potted Helleborus – Also known as the Christmas Rose, the glossy foliage and sweet, rose-like flowers make this plant a wonderful hostess gift that can be planted outdoors in the spring after the risk of frost has passed.
- Cut Anthurium – These heart-shaped flowers emerge from a colourful spike and are sold by individual stems. Because of their size, they are great for elaborate centerpieces.
- Potted Chrysanthemum – You may have seen this popular plant at your local grocery store. Potted Chrysanthemum is a holiday favourite as it comes in several different colours and is easily maintained. Lucky for you, they also last an extremely long time.
For more information:
www.pickontario.ca