History of the Christmas wreath

The word 'wreath' comes from the Old English word 'writhen' which means to writhe or twist. Before the wreath became associated with Christmas, it was a prominent emblem of victory and power in ancient Greece and Rome. Rich Roman women also wore them as headdresses at special occasions like weddings and to show they were posh. They were also given to the winners of events in the original Olympic Games in Greece.

https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/hollyandivy.shtml

https://time.com/5482144/christmas-wreath-origins/

Holiday Cactus- Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter?

The Holiday season is upon us and that means not only decorations, but holiday plants! One of the most popular plants to give or receive at this time of year is the Christmas cactus. Or is it an Easter or Thanksgiving cactus? The difference between the three cacti is found in the shape of the leaves. Check out the link below for more information!

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/linn/news/it-thanksgiving-christmas-or-easter-cactus?fbclid=IwAR17c2OcThtYmV6shm_84Tjy-tppjGPm-jjw9ZKBCKAcA1IMf0FMZZXH8fE#:~:text=The%20difference%20between%20the%20three,scalloped%20or%20tear%20drop%20shaped

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Thanksgiving dried arrangements

A beautifully set table makes any meal a special occasion — and what dinner could be more important than Thanksgiving? Just within a week away, it's the perfect time to start setting out dinner table decor. Bring nature inside with cheap and easy fall centerpieces made from fall perennials & shrubs in your own yard!

Landscaping for Energy Efficiency

A well designed and energy efficient landscape can reduce your heating, cooling and lighting costs. In certain circumstances, carefully positioned trees and shrubs can save up to 25% of the energy a typical household uses. Energy efficient landscaping has additional benefits such as lower maintenance costs, a reduction in water use, a quieter home and cleaner air. Follow this link for more info on Landscaping for Energy Efficiency.

https://zeroenergyproject.org/.../landscaping-for-energy.../

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Dividing Perennials

When perennials start to overgrow their installation space, division is an easy maintenance practice to help to work into your spring or fall routines. With fall just about upon us, there may be specific perennials in need of dividing this season.

-Perennials are plants that grow back each year.

-Dividing or splitting a single perennial into multiple plants helps the plant perform better.

-When perennials are divided, there is more space for roots to grow and absorb nutrients and water.

-Dividing perennials can help manage the size of the plant.

-You will have more plants of the same kind to add to your garden when you divide a perennial.

https://extension.umn.edu/planting.../dividing-perennials

Fall tree of interest

As the fall season starts to roll in, tree leaves are beginning to change and put on a show! The wide-spreading canopy of the American Beech provides great shade in the summer and changing to a beautiful bronze color in the fall. It is a versatile tree, often used in parks, golf courses, acreages, and the forestry industry. Beechnuts are also eaten by birds and mammals, serving as an important food for chipmunks and squirrels.

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Summer tree of interest:

Honey-locust is widely planted as a hardy and fast growing ornamental tree. Because of the small leaflets and open crown, the trees cast a light shade that permits shade-tolerant turfgrass and partial-shade perennials to grow underneath. FUN FACT: Pulp of honey locust has sugary taste, hence the name "honey" locust. Native Americans used pulp as sweetener and as a source of food although pulp has been reported to be irritating to the throat and somewhat toxic.

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Check out this summer perennial!

Coral bells make wonderful edging plants and put on a show when planted in groups. What varieties do you have in your garden?!

Allium, also called Ornamental Onion, is one of the most interesting blooms in the spring and summer garden.

The majority of alliums are bulb-forming; however, there is a handful that grows from rhizomes, the way common chives (Allium schoenoprasum) do.The bulb forming alliums will need to be planted in the fall. The planting depth should be two to three times the diameter of the bulbs. Water them well after planting. Then cross your fingers and wait for spring.

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