Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas!

My Christmas Wish to you …

May you be surrounded by family and friends!

Hope everyone is enjoying friends & family and being safe this Holiday Season!

The Holly and the Ivy

The holly (Ilex aquifolium) and the ivy goes back a ways in history to the Ancient Pagans and Romans, who believed that they were good luck to all who carried it.

Holly, considered to be a masculine plant, was carried by men while women wore ivy as the feminine equivalent. Christians incorporated the Roman tradition of holly and began using it as a holiday decoration where the sharp leaves, red berries and white flowers signify the crown of thorns, blood and innocence of Jesus respectively.

I. aquifolium, is a shrub with a very large fibrous root system and produces multiple stems, that will occasionally produce suckers. In order for this plant to produce its lovely, little, white flowers and red berries you need at least one male and one female plant.

When growing Holly, plant in partial shade to full sun (best for the variegated varieties) in a sheltered location, the east or north-end side of a building is best. I. aquifolium is an excellent choice for informal borders and are good companion plants to Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Holly prefers slightly acidic soil (pH between 5 or 6) and will perform nicely in wet to boggy conditions, but will still flourish in well-drained soil providing that the soil has been kept consistently moist. Consistent watering is critical for the first 2 years, and as the plant matures the top 2 inches of soil should never dry out. For the best results, add lots of organic matter to your soil, your holly will eat it up!

Holly is a beautiful evergreen shrub; requiring little pruning (in the early spring for young plants only), consistent water and an annual application of a 10-10-10 granular fertilizer for healthy growth.

Sending you some Holly for good luck!

Snug Harbor Farm

I have been in love with Snug Harbor Farm for years and I was so excited to be included in their holiday art exhibition that they hosted, and was supported by River Tree Arts and the Irving Art Gallery.

Pieces were included throughout the shop, but the big show stopper was the barn, where all the large pieces were hung and was decorated all cozy and warm with Christmas light overhead.

My two larger pieces are hanging in the gallery, while the 3 smaller are in the shop. It was so nice getting to meet & talk with people about my photography at the show last Saturday!

I was so happy the Artists’ Reception and the actual show began on a sunny, warm day … which I think is good juju for both Snug Harbor and the artists.

The show will continue throughout the month of December, so be sure to stop by Snug Harbor Farm in Kennebunk, Maine to see some of the lovely art and visit the greenhouses and farm!

How to Keep Your Christmas Tree Fresh

By keeping your Christmas Tree fresh, not only will it last longer, but it’s Christmasy smell will linger longer in the air!

Selecting your Tree: Smell it, Feel it but don’t taste it! If your tree smells fresh and piney, its branches and needles are firm and not falling off then that tree is a good option. If you buy from a local Christmas Tree Farm, it is also more likely that all their trees are fresh and healthy. And you are supporting your local economy which is always a bonus!

 Cut or Pre-Cut Trees:  Freshly cut trees will last a bit longer, but if you are choosing a pre-cut tree remove the bottom 1-1.5 inches from the bottom. This will help your tree suck up water better. You see, once a tree is cut, the tree’s resin and sap will begin to seal off the base, making it harder to absorb water. Your tree will last longer if it doesn’t have to struggle to drink!

Give your Tree Plenty to Drink: Get your tree in some water ASAP, even if it’s just a bucket outside until you get it set up in your living room. Use a large enough basin, one that holds at least 1 gallon of water is best. The general rule of thumb for watering is 1 quart of water for each inch in trunk diameter. This means you should be topping off your tree stand daily

NO Feed:  Some people suggest that commercial preservatives,or home-made recipes such as 7-Up, an aspirin, a tablespoon of sugar or corn syrup mixed in the water add to the tree’s life. But most studies prove those practices are false, and that there is no significant difference.  Personally,  I’ve only watered and my trees with good 0ld-fashioned tap water, and they last from Thanksgiving weekend until New Years if you keep their water fresh!

Slow Down the drying up process: By keeping your tree away from fireplaces, heaters and direct sunlight will help keep your tree more moist. And smaller lights omit let heat and will also add to your tree’s lifetime

Recycle: Once the holiday season ends, don’t dump it in a landfill, most towns have tree-recycling pick-up and options. Contact your local town for specifics