As the year winds down we thank you for this opportunity to share our gardening knowledge and enthusiasm with you – quite a gift to us! Seasons greetings to all!

A Japanese white pine cone, a pin oak branch perspective from below, and beautiful lichen structures add richness and texture to ramblings.

photos by E Barth-Elias

Perspective. It’s easy to march through our days, eyes fixed firmly forward, focused on the task at hand. But, the world changes when looked at from another point of view.

Look closely:  The open scales of the Japanese white pine cone above display nature’s symmetry, yet no two cones are alike. Tan edges on the opened scales frame rusty to dark brown cavities where seeds were protected. The sap that kept insects and other animals at bay while slowly ripening seeds matured has dried to elegant white tips. The winged seeds housed in these bracts, similar to maple seeds, have been dispersed by the autumn breezes. An efficient system, with a beautiful byproduct – definitely worth a close look. 

Look down:  Those beautiful, feathery blue-green patches on stones and downed trees are lichens, symbiotic algae/fungus organisms. The algae in this partnership produce the food (photosynthetically) and the fungi control the growth. A marvelous, successful union that brings magical blue, red, yellow, and green tones to the grays and browns of stones and rocks.

Look up:  There’s a beautiful view from below the tree canopy. The character of each tree species is reflected in its branches – stout, straight oak branches, zigzagged, slender beech branches…  A look up shows a pattern of crossing, delicately tapering limbs, with bird and squirrel nest accents. It’s a work of art!

Take a moment to pause – pause to take in minute details, a new angle, an artistic marvel. It's a matter of perspective. Look Around.

K Edgington

The striking spadix of the peace lily.

E Barth Elias

When December rolls around, it seems everyone is in a rush.  Shopping, baking, traveling, and the usual happenings of life can cause chaos. Take a break and share some peace and tranquility with the aptly named peace lily. Peace lily, (Spathiphyllum species) is a classic houseplant for good reason. It’s easy to grow, flowers reliably, and tolerates low light conditions. The blooms are dramatic, yet elegant, and the glossy green foliage makes a statement on its own.

The peace lily is not a true lily but is a member of the family Araceae, which includes mostly tropical plants such as caladiums, elephant ears, and philodendron. Native to Central and South America, it’s known for its striking flower structure called a spadix, a spike surrounded by a leafy bracket called a spath. The plant periodically produces these long-lasting white flowers that are mildly fragrant, and peace lilies are one of the few houseplants that will bloom in low light levels.

What keeps a peace lily happy? They like bright or moderately lit rooms but not direct sun that will scorch the leaves. Keep the soil moist and water before it begins to wilt, which stresses the plant. Don't overwater, as it is the number one killer of houseplants everywhere. A general fertilizer is helpful during the growing season, but too much can cause the tips of the leaves to turn brown. Like many perennials, peace lilies can be propagated through division. Any garden variety potting soil should be fine to start with. Generally pest-free, the peace lily can suffer from the usual trouble-makers such as mealy bugs, spider mites, and scale. Avoid placing near heating/AC vents and drafts, occasionally dust the leaves, and you should be good to go.

Incidentally, based on its own research, NASA has named the peace lily as one of the top plants for purifying indoor air. Like all plants, it adds oxygen but also filters and eliminates toxins in the air, including benzene, formaldehyde, ethylene, and ammonia!

Spathiphyllum wallisii is the most common variety of the peace lily but there are other choices available. ‘Sensation’ is the largest commercially grown and stands at 6’ tall with ribbed leaves. Quite a statement. ‘Jet Diamond’ is a newer cultivar that has variegated foliage for extra pop between flowering. ‘Allison’ tops out at 2’ tall and can be grown seasonally outdoors in water gardens.  

Peace lilies are a lovely way to spread goodwill during the holiday season. They are popular flowers for Hanukkah, symbolizing peace, hope, and rebirth. The bold white flowers complement the season’s traditional blue and silver color scheme. It’s fitting for Christmas, as well, combined with greenery or as a gift that will flourish well beyond the holidays. Truth be told, who doesn’t appreciate the sentiments of peace, hope, and new beginnings? Consider a peace lily as a lovely houseplant, as a gift (perhaps to that relative that you never really got along with?), in holiday décor, or any time of the year. Peace be with you!

J Gramlich

Winter in Northeast Ohio can be bleak and seem to last forever. Northern cardinals provide a welcome pop of color and cheer to our wintry landscapes. Deservedly well-loved, northern cardinals are the state bird for 7 states, the mascot for numerous sports teams, and even viewed by some as spiritual messengers of love and hope. Let’s learn a bit more about these beautiful, uplifting birds.

Cardinalis cardinales, commonly called red cardinals, redbirds or common cardinals, are found in southeastern Canada, middle and eastern U.S. (and parts of Texas and Arizona), and Mexico. Nineteen subspecies have been identified based on differences in coloring, size of crest, song and behavior. The estimated 110 million U.S. northern cardinals live in parks, backyards, and woody edges of forests, building their nests in dense, low shrubs and vines. The birds are easy to spot.

Female cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

photo by Monika Bobek

Males are bright red with black faces, a large crest (cluster of feathers on top of their heads) and thick, red bills. The mostly brown females have black faces, bits of red on their tail, crest and wings, and red-orange bills.

If their feathers look sparse, no worries —it probably means the bird is molting—they can even lose all their head feathers, giving them a “bald is beautiful” vibe. Check out THIS poor guy—good thing molting is not during mating season!

Originally found in the southern U.S., cardinals moved north beginning in the 1900s, a shift scientists attribute to a warming climate, the growth of suburbs with backyard bird feeders, and increased “edge” areas for habitat. “Northern” was added to their name in 1983 to distinguish these cardinals from southern species like the endangered yellow cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata), only found in South America. See it HERE.

The name “cardinal” probably came from Catholic cardinals, due to their red garments and tall headgear which resembles a bird’s crest (if you squint). In that same vein, flocks of cardinals are called a college, conclave, deck, Kremlin (built in the Red Square), or Vatican.

Just don’t confuse a yellow cardinal with a northern cardinal that is yellow. Huh? A cardinal’s color comes from carotenoids contained in the insects and fruits (berries and wild grapes) in their diet. Experts think a rare genetic mutation may cause yellow pigment instead of red, resulting in a yellow-y northern cardinal. Check it out HERE. THIS VIDEO suggests illness might also be a factor.

Cardinals forage by hopping between bushes and the ground, seeking their varied diet of seeds, all kinds of insects, and plant matter. They love backyard bird feeders, especially when filled with sunflower seeds. They will often both open and close the joint! In fall and winter they flock together in groups as a strategy for finding food. Early spring is for mating, and these birds of a feather do not flock together then, preferring to stick with their partner.

Mating is characterized by various courtship “dances” and may include a birdy version of gazing into each other’s eyes as the guy feeds his gal. Watch HERE. Females prefer the most brightly-colored males as that indicates good health. The female northern cardinal is one of the few North American female songbirds known to sing. (This theory of non-singing females is being rethought.) Read about it HERE. WATCH THIS FEMALE sing a beautiful duet with her mate as part of the courtship process. Both males and females may become extremely aggressive during mating season to protect their territory. This is when you may see them attacking their image in windows and car mirrors. Check THIS out.

Courtship drama complete, nests are then built by females in densely grown areas such as junipers, dogwoods, grapevines and honeysuckle. She lays 3-4 eggs, and her mate provides room (nest) service until they hatch 2 weeks later. Mom sings to request food and warn of danger. Parents continue to care for their young for one to two months. In winter the birds shelter in evergreens.

Given that Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology credits the male northern cardinal with attracting more folks to birdwatching than any other bird, it makes perfect sense that the Ohio Ornithological Society’s publication for Ohio birders is called THE CARDINAL.

If you want to continue this northern cardinal love-fest here’s more good stuff. Enjoy!

ALL ABOUT BIRDS - THE CARDINAL: The Cornell Lab

NORTHERN CARDINAL - ONE OF THE MOST ADMIRED BIRDS: Lesley the Bird Nerd

C Christian

A cut tree decked out in ornaments

photo by Rachel Barth

Our country is rich with nationalities, languages, and faiths, gracing the holiday season with many different forms of expression. However, there are few more pervasive symbols of the beginning of winter than Christmas trees, which begin to show up in living room windows almost before the Thanksgiving turkey has been turned into soups and sandwiches.

Whether real or artificial, up to 80% of homes in the United States report having some form of a conifer bedecked with ornaments, lights and tinsel. These trees adorn our traditional celebrations throughout much of December and into the early days of January. When it comes time to move those trees along, disposal can be difficult.

Many people think an artificial tree is best because it is permanent, avoiding the expense and hassle of harvesting and hauling a real tree home each year. Artificial trees don’t need to be watered and they last for years, even decades. However, there are hidden costs of using an artificial tree.

Artificial trees are most often made in China so they must be shipped long distances. Some consider the extended life of an artificial tree an asset. A survey reported that 60.5% of people think an artificial tree is the better environmental choice. It’s not that cut-and-dried, though. The needles on artificial trees are most often made of polyvinyl chloride, a material that is widely used in the plastics industry and made from highly toxic vinyl chloride. While PVC is very stable at first, over time it begins to break down, releasing toxic phthalates into the air. Artificial trees collect dust and there have been reports of mold growing on trees that have been used over several years.

Cut Christmas trees incur harvesting and shipping costs, and the annual expense of a live conifer can be prohibitive to some. Real trees can harbor allergens. Still, many families consider a real Christmas tree the only option for the holidays. Additionally, cut Christmas tree farming adds about $25 million to $30 million to the U.S. economy each year and employs about 100,000 people either full-time or part-time. Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan and Pennsylvania are the four major sources of cut trees.

An increasingly popular option is to buy a live tree, either potted or balled and burlapped. These trees are not destined to become mulch, but part of the landscape. This solves the problem of disposing of either a cut or artificial tree, although having a live tree entails more than just bringing it in and planting it out.

If you choose to buy a live tree, be sure to dig its hole before the ground freezes, making it impossible to plant. While balled and burlapped trees could be the size you want, they are extremely heavy. Even potted trees can be cumbersome, but they are likely to be more manageable.

A live tree cannot spend weeks inside where the warmth will cause it to break dormancy. The Ohio Farm Bureau suggests keeping a live tree indoors for no more than 10 days to avoid throwing the tree into growth mode. While the tree may be beautiful and fragrant, some people might not like being able to enjoy it for such a short period.

When it comes to disposing of Christmas trees, the scales tip toward cut trees. They are often collected by park districts or city municipal waste handlers where they are ground up and used as mulch or compost. The trees can also be composted in a shrub pile, offering smaller animals shelter and protection from predators. Artificial trees, if they are in decent shape, can be donated to non-profits that pass them on to people who couldn’t afford any kind of tree. Most often, though, they wind up on the curb, to be buried for centuries in a landfill.

There are pros and cons to buying cut, live or artificial Christmas trees. What you buy depends on family tradition, ecological preferences and, yes, cost. Still, any sort of tree expresses the joy of the season and the love this time of year can bring. In the long run, those are the most important holiday decorations. 

8 USES FOR YOUR TREE AFTER CHRISTMAS: Arbor Day Foundation

THE BENEFITS OF A REAL CHRISTMAS TREE: Texas A&M Today

CARING FOR BALLED CHRISTMAS TREES: Ohio Farm Bureau

S Vradenburg

During this season of gift giving, we offer a couple of crafted gift ideas. They are easy to do, relatively inexpensive, enjoyable to make, and will bring smiles to the recipient.

A mini terrarium rescued from the sale rack, a small brandy snifter, and a beautiful orb found at a box store make great planters for little gifts.

photo by K Edgington

Miniature Plant Vignette

When the snow flies or the skies are grey, a little bit of greenery brightens the day. These charming glass planters fit the bill. Find the containers online, at thrift or box stores, or at garden centers. 

Supplies:

Small glass terrarium, brandy snifter, jar, or other glass container

¼ cup pea gravel

A few shards of horticultural charcoal

½ cup good potting soil (or succulent mix if using succulents)

Miniature fern or similar plant (Often sold as "terrarium plants")

Moss, haydite, or pea gravel

Doo-dad (pretty rock, shell, figure, etc.) (Optional)

Spray bottle

Small watering can

1. Make sure your glass container is squeaky clean.
2. Place one layer of pea gravel on the bottom, followed by a few shards of horticultural charcoal (which retards the growth of pathogens).
3. Remove your plant from the pot, cut off any unsightly leaves, as well as the largest ones if the plant needs to be reduced in size, and tease most of the soil from the roots. 
4. Add a small amount of soil to the bottom of the container, place the plant in the container and add soil just to the root line. These miniature plants grow in a surprisingly small amount of soil, and having limited soil helps keep them small. The soil level should be low in the container – making most of the interior a space for the plant. Firm into place.
5. Top the soil with moss, haydite, gravel, or any other small aggregate. Place your doo-dad in front of the plant. (If necessary, use a strong adhesive like E6000 to glue a short nail to the base of the doo-dad, which will aid in stabilizing it in the planter.)
6. Mist the interior sides of the container to remove debris, and the plant to hydrate it. Water sparingly – there is no drainage in this container.
7. Give the recipient care instructions: Place in indirect light, turning regularly for even growth. Trim off leaves that grow too large at the base. Water only when dry, and then sparingly. Mist occasionally with a water-filled spray bottle. Enjoy!

Cranberries and holly make this birdseed wreath pop.

photo by E Barth Elias

 Bird Feeder Wreath

What a great addition to a fence, shrub or tree! This recipe creates enough mix for approximately three 7” wreaths.

Ingredients and supplies:

Cooking oil spray

8 cups bird seed

1 ½ cup flour

6 tablespoons light corn syrup

2 ¼ oz packets unflavored gelatin

1 cup water

A handful of small holly leaves

¼+ cup dried cranberries or other colorful fruit or nuts

Length of wide ribbon

Optional: ½ cup peanut butter, dried fruits, nuts

Big Bowl

Round, tubular Jello or cake molds

Large Spoon

Scissors

1. Spray the inside of the mold with cooking oil spray.
2. In a large bowl, combine the bird seed, flour, and corn syrup.
3. Combine the gelatin and cold water in a glass measuring cup or bowl and let sit from 3 to 5 minutes, until the granules have absorbed the water. Heat this mixture just until it becomes liquid. (If using a microwave heat in 10 second intervals.) Add to the bird seed mixture and mix well.
4. Place holly leaves and cranberries or nuts in the bottom of the mold in a pleasing manner.
5. Spoon bird seed mixture into the bottom of the mold around the holly and cranberries and press firmly. Add additional bird seed mixture and pack down with your hands until the bird seed mixture is about 2” high.
6. Set in a cool, dry place for 24 to 48 hours to dry.
7. Remove the wreath from the mold by running a knife around the edges and turning upside down.
8. Let the wreath dry in a warm location for a week or more. The longer it dries, the lighter and stronger the wreath will be.
9. Place the ribbon through the center of the wreath, tie to make the two ribbon ties parallel with the wreath, and tie on top, creating a hanging loop.

Note: A 7” mold is a nice size, producing a wreath that is not too heavy for branches. The wreaths can be thicker than 2”, especially if being hung on a fence, but we found that the 2” depth created a relatively light-weight wreath. In making our wreaths we used a tubular Jello mold, a round Jello mold with a glass in the center (to create the hole) and a tubular cake pan – be creative! 

K Edgington

December Checklist

• Take advantage of a sunny day to complete fall cleanup. Collect leaves off turf, bring in hoses and turn off water to outdoor faucets.
• Remove spent plants from outdoor pots and store.
• Consider gardening gifts such as terrariums, houseplants, and amaryllis for the plant lover.
• Inspect houseplants for pests. https://extension.umn.edu/product-and-houseplant-pests/insects-indoor-plants
• Take notes on your garden: what worked, what didn’t, what needs to be moved, what needs to be filled in….
• Lightly prune evergreens and use clippings as inspiration for centerpieces, garlands, mantle décor, etc.

J Gramlich