By Bodie V. Pennisi
University of
Georgia
As the winter holidays near, the first flower that comes to mind
is probably the poinsettia. Against a backdrop of evergreens, its
bold, red foliage creates a dramatic, living decoration.
Available in many colors now, poinsettias’ popularity is
well-deserved. But other deserving flowering plants will nicely
complement your holiday decorations, too.
All of these plants will add living color to your holiday
decoration and help you enjoy the yule-flower spirit throughout
the season:
Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera
— Zygocactus — species) is an old-time favorite that gets
its name from its dependable holiday flowering.
A succulent perennial from the tropics, Christmas cactus is an
epiphyte, which means it lives on other plants. Unlike a
parasitic plant, which gets nutrients from its host, epiphytes
use their host simply as substrate, a place to live. And unlike
many cacti, this one has no spines.
Christmas cactus is one of the most widely cultivated and enjoyed
groups of cacti in the world. They have been extensively
hybridized to produce many colors of flowers, including
magenta, white, pink, salmon and orange. Keep plants in bright
light and on the dry side.
Christmas peppers (Capsicum
annuum) are cultivars of our garden peppers that have been
selected for fruit color and form. The fruits, which are often
quite hot to the taste, can be globe- or cone-shaped and range
from yellow, orange and red to green and purple.
Buy plants with good fruit color, as good color won’t develop in
the low light of home environments. Since this is a true annual,
discard the plants when the fruit fades.
African violets (Saintpaulia
ionantha) are rosette-forming perennials with oval, medium to
dark green leaves that are covered with hairs. The leaves may be
ruffled, scalloped, quilted or even variegated. The flowers are
produced year-round in blue, lavender, pink, red, white and
bi-colors. Miniature varieties also are available.
African violets grow best with bright (but not direct) light,
constant conditions and high humidity.
Gloxinias (Sinningia
speciosa), close relatives of African violets, are
tuber-forming perennials with rosettes of oval to oblong,
scalloped, dark green leaves that are covered with velvety
hairs.
They produce single or clustered, trumpet-shaped red,
violet-blue, pink, white or bi-colored flowers. A 6-inch gloxinia
will have a dozen or more buds and will continue to flower for
three to four weeks, if properly cared for.
Treat gloxinias as African violets: Avoid high-intensity, direct
sunlight. Water them from the saucer with warm water (at least 70
degrees Fahrenheit). Keep them on the moist side but not
waterlogged. And avoid cold or hot drafts.
Reiger begonias (Begonia
hiemalis) look very similar to the garden tuberous and
“Nonstop” begonias. The leaves are somewhat glossy and can break
easy. Both single and double flowers may be found on the same
plant.
Riegers are relatively tolerant of sun exposure and temperature
and prefer a slightly moist medium. A high-quality plant will be
at least half-covered by flowers.
Kalanchoe (genus Kalanchoe)
is perhaps the most durable of the red-flowering potted plants
you can find in the holiday season. It has a fleshy stem and
toothed or scalloped, fleshy leaves.
Kalanchoe will be happy when warm and dry. However, drought
stress will shorten the flower life.
Blushing bromeliad (Neoregelia
carolinae) is an epiphytic bromeliad with an open rosette of
strap-shaped, toothed, mid-green or variegated leaves. The inner
leaves are purplish to red, and the flowers are violet or
lavender.
Bromeliads like bright light and warmth. Be careful to not
overwater the soil, but keep the central vase formed by the
leaves filled with rainwater or distilled water. Feed them by
spraying the leaves with a dilute fertilizer solution.
