In the 16th century, St. Nick's counterpart, Krampus, was fictitiously known to gift naughty children coal in their stockings. By the early 1900s, coal grew in popularity as a gift, since many families used coal to heat their homes. While today most of us no longer receive coal in our stockings, it...

The Poinsettia, a vibrant red flower that graces our Christmas décor, has a rich history of cultivation and symbolism, beginning with the ancient Aztec people of Mexico, where it thrives as a tall perennial shrub, often growing over 10 feet in height in its native environment. Poinsettias have...

During the holiday season comes tasty food, festive decorations, and precious time spent with those dear to us. It also means an array of holiday plants in your home or office, like poinsettias, amaryllis, and holly. One plant that may not be on your holiday décor list, the holiday cactus, is a...

The holiday season is quickly approaching, and while we might all celebrate differently, many of us are purchasing gifts for loved ones over the next few months. Before you start adding items to your shopping cart, here are some facts to consider about the environmental impact of holiday shopping...

Beat the winter blues with visions of gardening Around the time of the Winter Solstice, our family dreams of spring planting to cope with shorter days and long winter nights. Visions of a garden filled with tried-and-true crops (tomatoes, peppers, and sunflowers) coalesce with my family’s tenacity...

The gift of gardening is an experience anyone can appreciate this holiday season. Take the stress out of shopping this holiday season and give a blooming amaryllis kit that brings the beauty of nature indoors. Poinsettias are beautiful, popular holiday plants, but the gift of an amaryllis bulb kit...

The delicate act of arranging fresh flowers is a joyful art. Each bloom and sprig of foliage receives special consideration when creating an arrangement as beautiful and unique as the recipient. Local florists are already hastily preparing arrangements for the upcoming Valentine’s Day rush. Aside...

With an estimated 35 million Poinsettias sold annually, you may spot this colorful plant on many holiday tables every year. Native to Mexico, Poinsettias are large perennial shrubs growing over 12 feet tall. Introduced to the United States in the early 1800s, it has become one of the most popular...

“How I hate to hear winter cursed. Winter is bad; summer is good. Cold, bad; warmth, good. January in Illinois, heaven forbid! January in Florida, paradise. Bah, I say, humbug! Winter is not to escape; it is to embrace… I go upstairs to warm my hands in front of the wood stove and gaze into the...

If picking the perfect holiday gift stresses you out, this year visit your local garden center for a natural gift that keeps on giving. Gardening and growing plants is an experiential gift that is both rewarding and fun. If you are gifting a plant this season, remember to keep your gift recipient...