Winter Flowers

When it comes to winter flowers, poinsettias most likely come to mind first. While we still love its classic deep red bloom for the holidays, some have grown tired of its ubiquitous nature and are looking for something new.

Schumacher Companies, a family owned landscape construction and maintenance business in New England, has the latest in popular flowers that’ll be sure to make your holiday décor stand out. 

Orchid

Orchids are an excellent choice for the holiday season. They come in a variety of colors and shapes. The most common orchid used during the holiday season is Phalaenopsis, also known as the “Moth” orchid.

How to care: Avoid direct sunlight, cold drafts and heating vents. Water only when soil is almost dry or once a week in the winter. 

Amaryllis

Amaryllis is prized for its ability to produce beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers mid-winter. It blooms beautiful colors of red, pink, salmon, white and bi-colored. Place in an arrangement.

How to care: Once the buds show color, move the plants out of direct sunlight. Water only when the top inch of soil is dry. Faded bulbs can be maintained to bloom again next year. 

Christmas Cactus

Christmas Cactus is a timeless classic for the holiday season. It’s easy to care for and can be grown indoors all year long.

How to care: Avoid direct sunlight, but keep near bright sunlight. Avoid placing near heating vents and fireplaces. Water when topsoil becomes dry. After blooming, stop watering for about 6 weeks until you see new growth – as which time you can begin watering again. 

Poinsettia

Poinsettias come in a variety of colors and sizes, the most popular for the holiday season is a deep red that reaches two-feet in height. Its leaves change color according to how much darkness they’re exposed to.

How to care: Place near bright sunlight. Don’t keep in places where cold drafts or high temperatures can reach it. Water thoroughly only when the soil feels dry. 

Succulents

Succulents are small thick fleshy plants that come in many shapes and colors. They are beautiful when grouped together into small arrangements.

How to care: Succulents are very easy to maintain. Water every 1 ½ to 2-weeks. Place in a sunny spot. Do not place where they can receive a cold, harmful draft. 

Narcissus Paperwhite

Narcissus Paperwhites are grown from bulbs, which are often forced for the holiday season. Stems reach 1 to 2 feet and are crowed by small white flowers. 

How to care: Place in container of rocks and pebbles. No soil needed, only water and sunlight. Keep bulbs in direct sunlight until blooms appear, at which time move to a cooler spot with indirect sunlight. When watering, only cover the bottom third or quarter of the bulbs. 

(Images: Plant material by Berry’s Greenhouses, Inc., Boston, MA.) 

What are your favorite holiday plants? Share in the comment section below.