November/December 1998 issue

Mail Order Explorer

If you’re thinking about sending plants as a gift from a mail-order nursery, call as early as possible, because some nurseries stop shipping plants in December. And for nurseries that do ship through December, such as Logee’s Greenhouses in Danielson, Connecticut, remember that the holidays are a hectic time. Most nursery owners probably echo Logee’s president Byron Martin when he pleads, “Don’t place your order just before Christmas, please!”

Weather is another important consideration when ordering plants later in the year. “In November, it frosts at night but warms up during the day. Those are very good conditions for shipping,” says Tom Winn, co-owner of Glasshouse Works in Stewart, Ohio. By December, however, there can be problems with freezing in northern areas. If there’s any danger of that happening, nurseries will usually send a gift card to let the recipient know your gift will arrive when the weather warms up.

Something for Everyone

If you’re not sure what your gift recipient might like, a plant collection may be the solution. Winn says that Glasshouse Works’ winter-blooming collection is very popular for the holidays. For as little as $10 you can send five different plants.“We generally choose whatever looks good on that day,” says Winn. “You could receive a camellia, gardenia, Gloxinia sylvatica, some jasmine, and so forth.” If you have particular plants in mind, you can request that they be included in the collection.

For creative friends and family members, bonsai, topiary, and terrarium plants are excellent choices. These plants allow the recipients to shape and mold their gifts to suit their own tastes. Many nurseries carry collections tailored to such special interests. To ensure an appropriate selection, you should describe how your recipient is likely to use the plants. Ken Frieling, co-owner of Glasshouse Works, says that he bases his choices of bonsai plants, for example, on whether the plants will be grown on a windowsill, under lights, in a greenhouse, or outside. “We also try to get a feel for what level people are on. If someone has not grown a lot of plants before, we’ll throw in some of the easier plants to grow, such as portulaca, zamioculcas, and Begonia cubensis.”

For Brown Thumbs

For friends or family members who seem to possess the kiss of death when it comes to plants, Winn recommends the Hoya collection because, he says with a chuckle,“nobody can kill a hoya.” Succulents are well suited for the hot, dry conditions typical of many homes in winter. “Kalanchoe is very popular for the holidays, and it’s pretty tough,” says Martin. Arnie Mitchnick of Northridge Gardens in Northridge, California, agrees: “Succulents do best with a minimum of care.” For seasonal color, Mitchnick suggests Euphorbia millii, which sports bright red flowers, or Synadenium grantii ‘Rubrum’, which has red foliage. Also good for the novice grower are philodendrons, sansevierias, begonias, ivies, and bromeliads.

Most nurseries will be happy to help you pick the ideal gift plant. After all, the recipient may become a customer—but only if that plant survives. “If someone has a bad first experience with growing a plant, they probably won’t try again. We try to avoid that bad experience and make it as easy and enjoyable as possible,” says Frieling. Of course you can also purchase a gift certificate and leave the choice of plants to the recipient.

So avoid the holiday blitz at the local mall and shop the plant catalogs from the comfort of your home. And don’t forget to treat yourself by picking out that special plant missing from your own collection!