Now A Days Perspective Of Nature
Fortunate indeed is the gardener who has a source of holiday greens in the garden. All of the broadleaf evergreens in this area are a potential source of this material plus, of course, the various needle evergreens of the region. The new home owner should plan to plant some of these. Not only are they choice landscape materials, but they also provide a source of cut material for use inside the house. The hollies have long been favorites for indoor decorating.
Many parts of the South of Mid-America cannot grow the native, or American holly (Ilex opaca), so gardeners are turning to other holly varieties. Among the most popular is one that is truly outstanding-the Burford holly (Ilex cornuta Burfordi). A member of the Chinese holly group, it has the characteristic squarish-angular leaf with rolled edges, slightly twisted. The leaves are dark, glossy green, and have usually one to three spines and yellow-white veins.
This variety is a heavy berry producer, in fact, the term ”berryiferous” might be applicable. The Burford holly grows better than average in most locations, and to a height of five feet. Its garden uses are for hedges, specimen plants, foundation plants and tubbed plants. Most gardeners do the pruning of this plant during December to supply their holiday needs.
Other holly-like plants make good Christmas greens – the Mahonia, or Oregon grape holly, and the Photinia are two. Both of these are robust growers, and the leaves have a definite tinge of bronze that is attractive in combinations of other holiday materials. Have you ever tried plain English ivy in combinations with red accessories? It is a wonderful Christmas foliage. All of us use the conifers. A few of the best are pine, cedar, spruce, cypress and arbor-vitae. Even though arbor-vitae is definitely out of style as a landscape material, it is a good Christmas green because of its texture and coloring.
For Bright Berries
Plant the shrubs noted for decorative berries for another source of seasonal material. Nandina, with its large clusters of brilliant red berries, is very good. One of the best berried shrubs is pyracantha-of several varieties, with either red or orange berries. These grow well in our area. French mulberry (callicarpa) is a striking plant for its berry beauty. It has large circular clusters of berries at each node in a gorgeous shade of purple. For a contemporary color scheme worked with chartreuse, these are delightful.
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