Gardening: Christmas gift ideas for gardeners - Gareth Carter

Poinsettias are a popular Christmas gift, writes Gareth Carter.

Gareth Carter is the general manager of Springvale Garden Centre in Whanganui.

OPINION

We are now right in the middle of the “silly season”, as it is sometimes referred to, with Christmas not far away.

What better time to enjoy some solace in the garden among the busyness. The garden is a great place to be during the warmer summer months, both for yourself and for entertaining friends and family.

There are many Christmas gift ideas in garden centres, particularly if the receiver is a gardener or keen to start.

Bonsai

Most people have heard of it but few have tried it. These are plants that are grown following a Chinese method (pun-sai) of keeping a plant small or in miniature form for its entire life. While the supply of ready-to-go bonsai trees is not plentiful in New Zealand, it is easy enough to give some bonsai pots, potting mix and choose a suitable plant that becomes a project and something to do for a new or experienced gardening enthusiast. YouTube is a never-ending source of how-to videos for tips and techniques.

Seeds

Growing plants from seed is well-known to be rewarding. There is delight in seeing something you have planted and cared for grow, providing a sense of satisfaction, hope and joy. A browse of seed stands at the garden centre will give you myriad choices of flowers and vegetables. Combine this with some seed-raising mix, trays to sow them in and perhaps some small jiffy pots for growing on, and you have a great present that can provide months of joy for the receiver.

Fruit trees

Many people are keen to plant fruit trees around their homes for healthy homegrown produce. Planting in the garden is ideal but there are many varieties that can be grown in pots and containers for those who are renting. There are fantastic, low-cost 35- and 50-litre tubs with handles that can be moved around, as well as recently introduced “root restriction bags”, which can have plants growing in them like a pot but then also be planted in the ground to restrict the tree from getting too large.

Some fruit tree varieties to consider: apple, apricot, peach, nectarine, pear, lemon, mandarin, orange, tangelo, lime, tamarillo, raspberry, boysenberry, cherry guava, walnut, almond, macadamia … to name just a few.

Herbs

Adding flavour to your cooking does not have to come from a packet. Herbs can be grown in a pot or two on the back doorstep, harvested and added fresh to meals during the cooking process.

A great gift can be a pot (there is something suitable for every budget, from plain plastic to glazed and terracotta pots), potting mix and some herb plants.

Some easy-to-grow and useful herb varieties to consider: basil, coriander, parsley, thyme, oregano, rosemary, tarragon, marjoram.

Vegetable garden starter kit

We have talked about food security. Helping those who don’t have a vegetable garden to start one can be a gift that keeps on giving.

For those who would need containers or something self-contained to grow in, the popular vege pods are particularly good for those who are less mobile, as they have the option of a stand or trolley with wheels, which eliminates bending. These have a lid that acts like a greenhouse, while also providing protection from wind and insects.

For those with ground, vegetable food, sheep pellets, compost and insect spray are all useful gardening items.

Indoor plants

Indoor plants are top of many people’s Christmas lists. Indoor plants have been rediscovered in the past few years. The health benefits of clean air from having plants indoors have been promoted, as well as the aesthetic appeal as they complement modern decor, bringing life and vitality. A healthy addiction, collecting plants may cost a little but will likely improve your mental, physical and emotional health.

Here are some great ones to choose:

Phalaenopsis orchid: The world’s number one-selling indoor plant. Sold in flower, they will continue to flower for an incredible four to six months. Plants will reflower again after a rest period.

Carnivorous plants: a popular gift for kids. The intriguing pitchers on these plants really capture the imagination of children. Coming into the season of flies, they have the bonus that they may just help reduce this pesky population.

Poinsettia: The bright red foliage screams “Christmas” and can add some festive cheer as a centrepiece on the dinner table or elsewhere around the home. They are an interesting plant, with the foliage turning red with shortening day length. The association between Christmas and poinsettias comes from the northern hemisphere, where winter and Christmas is a natural occurrence. In New Zealand, to have red poinsettias for Christmas, growers draw blinds on the greenhouses where they are grown to shorten the day length, thus duping the plants into producing red foliage. Once purchased from the store and taken home, the plants will not quickly revert but will maintain their red show well beyond the festive season.

Mother-in-law’s tongue (sansevieria): The name is something to take into consideration if this plant is to be a gift. This is currently one of the hottest plants on the indoor plant fashion block. Its hard-to-kill reputation and attractive structural form offer an attractive statement in a room. The mother-in-law’s tongue is great for a warmer situation in a bright, well-lit room. It is best kept on the dry side – almost thriving on neglect as overwatering will bring it to a quick demise.

ZZ plant (Zamioculas zamiifolia Zanzibar): This is the perfect gift for anyone who struggles to keep indoor plants alive. It is regarded as the toughest of the tough. It is tolerant of everything from quite dark conditions through to brightly-lit areas. Its enemy is water so if you forget to water this plant , you are doing it a favour. It has a highly attractive, clumping-like form with a deep glossy-green colour on the wide, fern-like leaves.

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum): Dubbed “the clean air plant”, it has the proven feature of improving the air quality around where it grows. A popular choice in the home and office, the peace lily is tough and handles a range of conditions. Regular feeding with Ican Fast Food will promote good flowering.

String of turtles: The new leaves really do look like little turtles. This attractive plant is excellent in a hanging basket or in a pot on a bookcase or benchtop, where the hanging foliage can grow down on display.

Gardening gift vouchers

For a gardener, a garden gift voucher is like gold. There are so many things to choose from at a garden centre these days, from gifts and homewares to garden art, statues, water features and outdoor decor. Then there are all the garden care and tool items, not forgetting lots of plants.

For more gardening information visit www.springvalegardencentre.co.nz