Blooming beauty indoors

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not a very big houseplant grower. I have a busy life and I just can’t seem to dedicate the time it takes to look after indoor plants. I need houseplants that thrive on neglect.

That’s why I love gardening outdoors; if a plant doesn’t survive, I can always blame it on something other than the gardener’s abilities and care — it was either too wet, too dry, too hot or too cold, a bad winter or a pest problem (for others the deer, for me the pesky squirrels eating my blooms).

However, during the winter months when the landscape is covered in snow and the gardens are sleeping, a few indoor plants remind the gardener that spring is just around the corner and a new garden season will soon be upon us.

For this gardener, I’m able to enjoy the beauty of five <a href='http://www.muskokasun.com/muskokasun/article/59320' target='_blank'>Christmas cacti</a>, a <a href='http://www.muskokasun.com/muskokasun/article/59319' target='_blank'>croton</a>, an aloe vera and lucky bamboo (lucky for me the bamboo can take care of itself). But there are lots of beautiful plants that can bring a sense of the outdoors in during this bleak time of year.

Here are a few tips to remember when selecting and caring for your indoor plants. There are lots of plants to choose from, those with beautiful foliage like dieffenbachia, Sansevieria trifasciata and Monstera deliciosa, and those that will reward you with colourful blooms like African violets, <a href='http://www.muskokasun.com/muskokasun/article/59321' target='_blank'>orchids</a>, shrimp plants and poinsettias. Each plant has <a href='http://www.muskokasun.com/muskokasun/article/59318' target='_blank'>special requirements</a> for light and temperature, so ensure that you position your plants within your home to meet these needs.

Dracena marginata is excellent for living rooms as it will tolerate a wide variation in temperature and needs bright filtered light, while Cyclamen persicum prefers a cool room, bright filtered light and will thrive with some neglect, perfect for adorning a bedroom. Bougainvillea glabra, however, needs the warmth and bright light of a sunroom where it will reward you with blooms throughout summer and fall. When selecting plants, check the plant tag for directions for its care.

Another key point is watering. Some plants like to be continually moist and require daily misting, while others like to dry out between waterings. Always make sure that the pot you are using provides for adequate drainage. Often people overwater their indoor plants which then succumb to root rot. If you are like me, neglectful, a little trick is to group plants together that have similar care and watering requirements. It makes it easier than having single plants spread around the house where you might forget about them.

Another point to consider is placing plants on windowsills for light, but homeowners often forget to check if the window is cold or if there is a draft. In winter, plants are like people; they don’t like to get too chilly, so make sure the location is draft free. That goes for placing plants in an entry hall, too; it’s OK, as long as it isn’t in the direct path of cold air from the door opening and closing.

Dust can also be a problem in homes in winter. Shiny-leaved foliage plants should have their leaves wiped free of dust on a regular basis; otherwise, the plants will suffer from suffocation (plants breathe through their leaves). Those with soft, fuzzy leaves, like African violets and begonias, should be dusted with a soft paintbrush.

The key thing to remember is to select the right plant for the right place and to provide the right care. By following a few simple procedures, you will be able to enjoy an indoor season of <a href='http://www.muskokasun.com/muskokasun/article/59322' target='_blank'>living greenery</a> and beautiful blooms to brighten even the dullest of winter days.

Kathy Wood is a member of the Bracebridge Horticultural Society and regional director for Region VII of the Garden Writers Association. Kathy can be reached at rosewoodpk@sympatico.ca.

Calendar of events — District 18 horticultural societies

Baysville: The Baysville Horticultural Society meets on the first Thursday of each month, September to May (no meetings in June, July and August), at 7:30 p.m. at the Baysville Seniors Centre.

Bracebridge: Jan. 22 — General meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Bracebridge Seniors Centre. The Bracebridge Horticultural Society meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Bracebridge Seniors Centre.

Gravenhurst: The Gravenhurst Horticultural Society meets on the third Tuesday of January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October and November at 7:30 p.m. at the Gravenhurst Seniors Centre.

Huntsville: The Huntsville Horticultural Society meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month from March to November (except August) at Sutherland Hall, All Saint’s Anglican Church at 7:30 p.m.

Rosseau: The Rosseau Horticultural Society meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the Rosseau Memorial Community Hall at 7:30 p.m.

Sprucedale and District: The Sprucedale and District Horticultural Society meets the third Monday of each month, March to November. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. and alternate between Emsdale, Kearney and Sprucedale. For more information, contact Doris Villemarie at 685-7412 or Grace Knott at 636-5751.

Muskoka plant of the week

Winter is the time for planning next summer’s garden. When choosing your plant material, remember to consider soil type, light conditions and water requirements (our summers are getting hotter and drier). By selecting native plants, you can address all of these concerns and know that the plants will blend in naturally with the existing landscape. Remember that gardens full of exotic plants look out of place in the woodland setting of Muskoka.

Herbal gift from the garden

Winter is a time for entertaining friends and family as we celebrate the holiday season. In our house, we always make a few extra treats to share with guests or give as presents. These nuts can be easily made thanks to the availability of fresh herbs in grocery and veggie shops year round.

1/2 cup clarified butter
2 cups salted walnuts or pecan halves
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, no stems
2 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 tbsp each cinnamon, ground cloves, and nutmeg

Heat the clarified butter in a deep skillet over low heat. Add the nuts and cook over low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently until nuts are lightly browned and heated through. Remove nuts from skillet with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Shake the remaining ingredients together in a paper bag. Add the nuts to the bag of herbed-spiced sugar and toss them until they are generously coated. Place the nuts in a sieve and shake to remove excess sugar. Spread nuts on paper towels to cool. Store in airtight containers or package for gift giving and enjoy!