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One of our absolute favorite plants to decorate with during the holidays is the classic Winterberry variety Ilex verticillata commonly known as ‘Winter Red’. This native variety produces plump, bright red berries that look great either placed by themselves in a vase or paired with cut greens in any winter display. When the weather and landscape turn grey, Winterberry is a welcome pop of cheerful color this time of the year.
To take you back a few years, Bill Van Wilgen was having trouble finding a reliable vendor for winterberry and decided we should try growing it ourselves, so he planted it around the Christmas tree field, and ever since it has absolutely thrived! It did so well you can now find Winterberry all over the Van Wilgen’s property, and we use these plants to supply the Winterberry you buy in the store. Additionally, we sell this variety in the spring for you to plant, so you too can enjoy it year-round in your landscape!
It’s that time of year at the garden center when we peek through the holiday greens on the patio and spot families trudging through our tree fields. Decked out in their Sunday best, bags of pre-wrapped gifts in hand. In search of the perfect spot to take the annual family photo. Christmas card photos are always at the forefront of preserving memories. If your like us and love to make your own cards instead of purchasing store-made ones, we know you’ll want your photos to be extra special.
We also know that in the midst of the yuletide season accomplishing this can feel like an Olympic event! Wouldn’t it be great if someone made it a little easier for you? That’s where we can help. Throughout our 56 acres, some of our creative team members have decorated areas and created lovely vignettes for you and your families. It’s a fun, festive time of year and it’s always a joy for us to be able to help.
Just in case you are looking for a few pointers on how to create great photos, here are a few simple tips:
The best place to get flattering, natural lighting is outside. Try shooting in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the
squint-inducing glare of direct sunlight. Find an area that your family can be in the shade, to secure even, soft light. Outdoors also creates a sense of place and lends to some unpredictability ~ you never know what can happen!
The holidays are upon us, and nothing brings that festive spirit out more than getting your Christmas tree. For many families, this means gathering up the family and traveling to cut a tree down. But for others, this means going to a nursery to pick out a live tree. While it may seem intimidating at first, decorating and then planting a tree that you can enjoy the rest of your life is simple, and only requires you to follow a few key guidelines.
- Pre dig your hole: By digging now and covering your hole with mulch or straw, you can avoid the hassle of having to dig in frozen ground.
- Slowly bring your tree inside: Your tree will be used to cold temperatures. Before bringing it to your heated indoor space, bring it to an unheated garage or porch first, allowing it to slowly acclimate.
- Plan to keep your tree inside no longer than five days. Any longer and the tree may begin to break dormancy.
- Keep the root ball moist but not overly wet.
- When moving outside, follow the same routine as you did while bringing them inside. Allow a week to readjust to colder temperatures before putting your tree out in the elements.
By following this list, as well as your usual planting instructions, you will be able to enjoy your tree year after year. Happy Holidays!
Will O’Hara