Planting for the holidays

Steve Kawaratani

Happy Holidays ...

“This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know

what to do with it.”

-- RALPH WALDO EMERSON

“Too much agreement kills a chat.”

-- ELDRIDGE CLEAVER

Our town stands independently unique by the values espoused by its

citizenry preservation of the village character, clean water and

superior schools for our children, being just a few. We agree to

disagree about the Village Entrance, stop sign locations and the

granting of revocable encroachment permits. But, at the end of the

day, we mainly agree Laguna is a special place to live.

Despite the protectiveness we all feel toward our town, pollution,

noise and view concerns diminish our quality of life and even the

best efforts of the City Council, Planning Commission and the Design

Review Board cannot completely regulate development. What struck me

this week, however, was the shameless, plastic garland already strung

at a business venue. Decking the halls with boughs of holly this

early isn’t festive, at least from my perspective.

With Halloween a major, commercial holiday, trick-or-treaters and

their parents will be spying on neighbor’s gardens next week. If your

garden is short of being beautiful for the upcoming holidays, one

must really commit to spending time in the garden now (or retain a

hired hand). Many annuals and perennials possess blossoms that are

showy through the New Year. But to enjoy them, you must get them

growing!

Camellias are particularly lovely during the fall and winter, and

will continue to bloom for months. Try planting C. sasanqua

varieties, in addition to the more familiar C. japonicas. Mulch their

beds with azalea mix, peat moss or leaf mold to keep them happy and

productive.

Delphinium, English primrose, foxglove, Iceland poppy, pansy and

stock top the Plant Man’s flower list for fall and winter. Prolific

bloomers, they prefer full sunlight but require very little else but

admiration.

Prized for its fragrance, Lavender, Lavandula heterophylla, brings

a showy display of purple flowers throughout the year. It thrives in

well-draining soil and will grow either in full sun or partial shade.

Lavender can be trimmed as an attractive border plant or allowed to

sprawl in rock gardens.

If you want berries for the Christmas bough, plant Wilson Holly,

Ilex altaclarensis “Wilsonii,” rather than the better known Christmas

Holly, Ilex aquifolium. This hybrid is the best holly for Laguna and

is a heavy producer of bright red berries. Perfect as a patio tree,

espalier, shrub or hedge.

The smaller varieties of Poinsettias are the ultimate symbol of

Christmas in the garden. Available in standard red, pale pink, yellow

and multi-colors, they will be making their appearance at your

favorite retailer soon. Ensure good drainage through a properly

prepared planting bed and avoid overhead watering for best results.

Catharine and I will be returning to our home before the holidays.

We’ll miss handing out candy again, but Santa Claus, reindeer and

lights are at ready. In fact, there are only 61 shopping days until

Christmas. Please shop in Laguna and see you next time.

* STEVE KAWARATANI is the owner of Landscapes by Laguna Nursery,

1540 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. He is married to local writer,

Catharine Cooper, and has three cats. He can be reached at (949) 497

2438, or e-mail to [email protected].