Christmas Trees Available Now
Fraser Fir and Nobles

Christmas Greenery Available Now

Christmas Tree Delivery 7 Days a Week

We Can Deliver Your Tree Lit

We Put Tree Stands on Trees in The Store

Special Order Early--Large Christmas Trees 10-13'

by Tamara Galbraith

Attention: Anyone who receives an amaryllis as a gift over the holidays...don't throw that bulb away when the flower stalk becomes withered and ugly! With a little coddling, you can enjoy the same beautiful blooms next year.

After the blossoms shrivel, cut the flower stem 1" above the base with a sharp knife. Continue to water and feed the remaining bulb regularly, and provide plenty of light. Amaryllis can be planted outdoors--pot and all--in partial shade and then into full sunlight during the summer.

For Christmas blooms next year, bring the plants into the garage in late September and place the pots on their sides. Cut off all water. This gives the plants a couple of months to rest before preparing to bloom again during the holidays.

In November, remove any dead leaves and replace the top couple of inches of potting soil. Resist the urge to pot up, as amaryllis like being jammed into a small space; there should only be about 1" between the bulb and the pot. Thoroughly water, place in a sunny window indoors and wait until growth emerges.

Once a flower bud becomes evident, continue watering when soil becomes dry, and make sure the plant is receiving plenty of sunlight. Water well during blooming, but put the plant in a less bright spot to help the flowers last longer. Then, when the flowers begin to fade, it's time to start the whole process over again.

Here, amaryllis can also be grown outdoors like any other flowering bulb, although many of the Dutch hybrid types will not do that well. Just make sure the soil is well-drained and rich in organic matter. Space bulbs about a foot apart and barely cover the bulb tops with soil. Select a sunny spot in the garden that receives some shade during the afternoon hours. Avoid placing the bulb where it will dry out excessively; a light layer of mulch will help retain moisture and keep the bulb from overheating in hot weather.

Poinsettias are a wonderful worldwide holiday tradition. In fact, next to a Christmas tree, nothing else says Christmas quite like poinsettias. Displayed alone or in groups, they can add a festive splash of color to every décor. From a centerpiece on a holiday table to a miniature plant decorating the corner of an office desk, to a colorful hanging basket that can brighten any room, the poinsettia is the perfect holiday gift.

So how did poinsettias become so popular at Christmas--and where do they come from? According to Mexican legend, a poor Mexican girl named Pepita who could not afford a gift to offer to Christ on Christmas Eve picked some weeds from the side of a road. The child was told that a humble gift, even if given in love, would be acceptable in God's eyes. When she brought the weeds into the church and laid them at the feet of the Christ child, they bloomed into red and green flowers and the congregation felt they had witnessed a Christmas miracle.

Poinsettias are native to the tropical forest at moderate elevations along the Pacific coast of Mexico and some parts of Guatemala. They are named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Ambassador to Mexico, who introduced the plant in the U.S. in 1825.

Poinsettias have come a long way from their humble beginnings. For years only variations of red flowers were propagated and grown. But now there are hundreds of color varieties available ranging from traditional shades of red, pink and white to burgundy, peach, striped, flecked and hand-dyed varieties.

Poinsettias are fairly easy-going, and with proper care can last long past the holiday season. Just click on the link below for a complete care guide including tips for re-blooming the following season.

We have an outstanding selection of poinsettias in every color--including a number of new varieties. The sooner you purchase your poinsettias the sooner you and your friends will be able to enjoy the unique holiday beauty that only they can provide. So hurry in and pick some up today while supplies last!

Poinsettia Care Guide (Separate Page--click here)

No Christmas season would be complete without the fragrance and beauty of fresh evergreen wreaths and greens. Here we stock an excellent selection of plain and decorated Christmas wreaths. We have a variety of sizes to fit any door or entryway.

Our garlands can be cut to any size and are perfect for wrapping around stairway banisters, bookshelves, and fireplace mantels. Our table centerpieces make the perfect Christmas accent for dinner tables and coffee tables.

We pride ourselves on offering only the freshest. So don't delay, hurry in and pick up the freshest greens in town today!

Most greenery care tips are intuitive. Greenery, like any cut flower, has a definite freshness window. Some ideas that will help you broaden the window for your Christmas wreaths, heavy garland, roping and boughs are listed below.

1. When you buy greenery make sure you buy the freshest available. If you are not going to use it right away it will need to be stored in a cool, moist (not wet) environment. Ideally place it in a totally shady place on the ground outside. If you buy garland or roping, unwind it with the best side up. From personal experience, we have had pieces that stayed on the ground into February and remained as fresh as the day purchased.

2. OUTDOOR USE: Remember, Dallas during the holidays is usually still warm with low humidity and drying winds. Homes that have a northern exposure with plenty of shade will be able to maintain greenery freshness into January. Eastern exposures will be the next best for maintaining freshness and, of course, southern or southwestern exposures can cause greenery to dry and discolor in a matter of days if there is direct sun and wind.

3. INDOOR USE: Maintaining greenery freshness indoors depends on heat, dry air and direct sun exposures. All of these factors shorten the freshness window. The cooler you keep your house, the longer your greenery will last. 70° versus 80° will make a big difference. Direct heat from vents can damage greenery, too. Point vents away or close them altogether, if possible. The less air movement directly on the greenery, the better. Shutter direct sunlight window exposures.

4. PRODUCTS: We carry two products that prolong freshness--Wilt Pruf and Cloudcover. They are anti-transpirants that, when applied correctly, will slow down water loss, help maintain green color and reduce fire hazard. To apply, spray your greenery, wreaths, boughs and Christmas tree thoroughly. Be sure to spray all leaf surfaces. Spray outdoors and allow to dry. Plan to spray at least one hour before you are ready to start decorating with your greenery.

5. Fresh greenery branches or tips used in arrangements should be treated like any cut flower. Being woody, they need a fresh cut 1" to 2" above the original cut. Pound 1" to 3" up the stem with a hammer to allow the stem to take in more water when put into a container.

6. Remember that holly is extremely perishable. The Ilex (holly) without leaves, Possum Haw, or Winterberry will look better longer.

While the poinsettia remains the most popular of the holiday plants, a healthy Christmas cactus in full bloom is a great gift idea for that special gardener. It is easy to care for and can be grown indoors throughout the year. The flowers range in color from yellow, orange, red, salmon, pink, fuchsia and white or combinations of those colors. Its pendulous stems make it a great choice for hanging baskets

The common Christmas cactus grown commercially is composed of several closely related species of forest cacti that grow as epiphytes between 3,000 and 5,000 above sea level in the Organ Mountains north of Rio de Janeiro in southeast Brazil.

We typically think of cacti as being heat tolerant, but Christmas cactus will keep its blossoms longer in cooler temperatures. It is important to keep plants in a well-lit location away from drafts of heater vents, fireplaces or other sources of hot air. Drafts and temperature extremes can cause the flower buds to drop from the plant before they have a chance to open.

The Christmas cactus is a tropical type plant, not quite as drought tolerant as its desert relatives and, in fact, may drop flower buds if the soil gets too dry. Water thoroughly when the top inch or so of soil feels dry to the touch. The soil should be kept evenly moist for best growth.

Christmas cactus will do best in bright indirect light. They don't need to be fertilized while in bloom, but most gardeners enjoy the challenge of keeping the plant after the holidays for re-bloom the following year. While plants are actively growing, use a blooming houseplant-type fertilizer and apply monthly until blooms set the following season. If taken care of properly, a single plant can last for years, providing many seasons of enjoyment.