North Haven Gardens Newsletter
November-December 1996

In this issue:

Christmas Collection
Tis the season to wear Fantasy Hats. This festive head gear will make you the talk of the town. They are so avant-garde you really must see to believe! A little renaissance, a little Mardi-Gras, never-the-less a great gift or conversation piece. All that is natural is good! Do a nature tree with garden ornaments and oversized Lichen Balls. New Christmas bird egg colors are hot for Christmas … you can thank Martha Stewart for that. We can supply you with two different sizes of the Grapevine Balls this year 12 and 18 inch. Drive by after dark anytime after November 1st and take note of these natural balls when lit! We are still sporting Polonaise hand blown glass. If you are not familiar with this wonderful traditional German glass you will love it! Very collectible and we have many pieces which are being retired! Crystal, crystal and more collectible spun glass crystal. All different and beautiful. Yea haw! The Lone Star Tree at NHG will have you two stepping through the nursery. Barcana trees! Look for the coupon in this newsletter. You won't find another deal like that, anytime soon. Kodak lights are in and available. But as you know we sell out very quickly. Well that's it. Don’t forget our lighting and commercial and residential decorating services! Happy Holiday!

Texas - Where the Birds Are
As if Texans needed something else to brag about, did your know the Lone Star State has the largest number of bird species, almost 600, followed by California, Arizona and Florida. In addition to the large resident population, winter months bring many new visitors to our North Texas backyards. Here are some of the birds you can expect to so see: American goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow Rumped Warbler, White throated Sparrow, Dark eyed Junco, Sharp Shinned Hawk. There are several things you can do to attract and feed your winter guests:

Put up a thistle feeder (especially for Goldfinches) and tie a yellow ribbon on it.

Add a suet feeder to provide protein and fat to keep the birds warm; suet cakes come in many flavors such as almond, peanut and berry. Many species will eat suet, and there are several types of feeders to "suet your needs".

Add a peanut feeder or offer peanuts in a platform feeder.It’s fascinating to watch a Chickadee, Kinglet or Bluejay try to extract a peanut while hanging on the feeder.

Offer fresh water during the winter months. This could be in a shallow, plastic or metal saucer since concrete bird baths might crack in the winter.

Set out fruit (apples, oranges, raisins, cranberries) either in a platform feeder or nailed to a fence or tree. Robins, Woodpeckers, Bluejays, and Mockingbirds will enjoy this treat.

Build a brush pile in an area visible from a window and toss seed such as millet, sunflower or safflower into it every 2-3 days.Many birds prefer feeding in a brushy thicket which you can create in your backyard.

Which seed is best? The answer depends on what species you want to attract. The hands-down favorite of all the birds that visit tube and house type feeders is black oil sunflower. White millet is favored Doves, Sparrows and Juncos. Thistle (black) brings in the Goldfinches house finches and Chickadees. In my own yard, I feed safflower seed which discourages house Sparrows, Grackles, Starlings and Squirrels. Be aware that many of the inexpensive grocery store mixes contain seeds birds don't prefer and will not eat. The most effective way to attract the largest variety of birds to your yard is to put to separate feeders for each food that is, a house feeder for sunflower, tube feeder for thistle, wire cage for peanuts, platform or brush pile for millet, suet cage for suet. So migrate to our "Bird Haven" department and let us help you create a winter bird habitat for your backyard.

Outstanding Perennials of 1996
The winter of 96, here in North Texas, was difficult for some perennials, however, others took the beating and came back strong to perform well during spring and summer. Some of North Havens favorite perennials are:

The Gift Corner
The Holiday season is here, so with all the festivities, gifts are in order for friends and family. Give the lasting gift of Polonaise hand blown glass ornaments. Great for you and the collector on your list. This year choose from Egyptian, Russian, Cocoa-Cola, Trains and Cinderella collections.

We will have beautiful theme trees to shop from. For the outdoor decorations we have natural Grapevine globes that can be wrapped with sparkling lights for a spectacular nighttime display.

Our newest addition is the "Thyme for Herbs" Herb Shop. You'll find wonderful herb jellies, lotions, soaps, soaks, creams, dried herb and flower bunches. A couple of these items plus one of the great herb books and you have your gift complete. Our Orchid collection has grown and now includes many unusual varieties. Some of the new ones are fragrant!

Pop one of these into a ceramic container and you'll have something really outstanding! Engraved River Stones continue to be a hot item on the gift list. Get your college logo custom engraved or any of your favorite words. Use small ones for paperweights and large ones for the garden.

North Haven Gift Certificates are also available for that special someone. Happy Holidays to all our friends.

Poinsettia Care
Keep your poinsettias looking fresh and beautiful throughout the Holiday season with these easy to follow steps:

North Haven will have these varieties:
Freedom - Red, White, Pink
These have dark green leaves.
Jingle Bells - Red and white speckled.
Marble - Pink and white swirl.
Monet - Cream, rose and pink multicolored with light and dark tones.

Poinsettias are a favored traditional Holiday gift. Our Florist can wrap your Poinsettia selection and deliver it too! Shop North Haven for the best selection. Enjoy your festive Poinsettias!

Christmas Tree Care
Fresh cut trees need to stay cool and moist to remain in top condition. Keep your tree well watered. If water level drops below cut end of trunk a seal will form preventing the tree from taking up water. Place tree away from drafts and heating vents. North Haven has top quality trees that receive a fresh cut and have been treated with an anti-transpirant to help retain moisture.

Now's The Time/November & December
Plant: Pansies, Primrose, Cyclamen. Narcissus bulbs now, Tulips and Hyacinths in mid December. Transplant trees and shrubs.
Prune: Dormant trees. Summer blooming shrubs. Weak or damaged wood.
Feed: The birds. Purchase quality feed. Like black oil sunflower, safflower and Niger Thistle. Make sure to provide water also.
Reduce: Fertilizer applications and watering on houseplants. Keep those leaves clean!
Fertilize: Tulips with bone meal when you plant. Pansies with blood meal.
Protect: Be sure to have plenty of Frost Cloth on hand for extreme freezes.

The Winter Landscape
During the warm months our senses are aroused by the brilliant colors, sultry fragrances and lush growth in the gardens and landscapes that surround us. But the winter landscape appeals to us on a more intellectual plane. The garden is quieter during this dormant period, as much of the foliage and bloom has disappeared. Yet the garden in winter can still offer many rewards, whether viewed from inside the house or enjoyed on a chilly, yet pleasant, afternoon. The secret, of course, lies in the planning. The key to successful, all season garden is structure, with a capital "S". When the trees are laid bare and the annuals have died down, the "bones" of the garden become more apparent. suddenly shapes and lines and forms take the center stage, once held by masses of color and rich greenery. This is the true test of the landscape design and the best time, because there are fewer distractions, to look around you with a critical eye and assess the structure of your garden. Do the shapes of the hedges and beds flow well with those of the house and paved areas? Are the vertical lines of the house and trees in a visually pleasing relationship? Are the different areas of the garden linked by the repetition of hard and soft features such as paving materials and shrub groupings? The winter season provides us with and opportunity to determine which changes, if any, are to be made in the overall structure of the garden. But what kinds of colors and interest can our plant material offer during the winter? Plenty! Did you know that the greens constitute our widest range of color perception? Once you become more aware of the varying tones and intensities of foliage color you will be able to plan a garden that is satisfying year ‘round’. And many of our commonly used evergreen shrubs take on red, purple or bronze hues during the cold months. Nandina, certain Junipers and Abelia are examples of this, as is Purple Winter Creeper, a reliable groundcover. Color is found in the fruit and berries that cling throughout winter. Possumhaw, Foster, Savannah and Yaupon Hollies, Mahonia, Pyracantha, Soapberry and Coralberry come to mind, along with the rugosa and other Roses that develop large, colorful rosehips. Deciduous trees are a necessary part of the garden for the interesting seasonal changes they provide. Many give us spectacular fall color and spring bloom. But don’t overlook the drama of their winter shapes and silhouettes as well. The sharply cast shadow of a well pruned shade tree on a lawn or patio is and exquisite landscape feature. If your garden is too small for another large tree consider some of the attractive smaller ones such as weeping Mulberry, Star and Saucer Magnolias, with their delightful spring blooms, or Japanese maple, including the spectacular Coral Bark variety with its intense red bark. Remember also that deciduous shrubs and trees give strength and permanence to their evergreen companions. and while enjoying your lovely, all season garden don't forget our feathered friends. Birds bring color and life to any garden, no matter how small, and lend intimacy to the most expansive, formal gardens. Please consider including them in your overall scheme, especially during the winter months. Many thanks and happy gardening from your friends at NHG!

 

COPYRIGHT 1996. NORTH HAVEN GARDENS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WORLDWIDE.
Revised: May 5, 1997