Willow Tree Gardens and Interiors Christmas Open House 2018

It's that time of year to deck the hall (and living room and kitchen, and seemingly any available space.)  Willow Tree Gardens and Interiors does a nice job of decorating for all seasons but at this time of year, they go all out, plants are moved aside, and Christmas takes center stage.  Come along and see what's glittering this year. 

The produce truck has been harvested, the plants cut to the ground but the glowing cotinus behind was glowing on a gloomy Saturday earlier this month.

Fothergilla's color made me wish I had space enough for one in my garden. 

Just the other side of the hardy outdoor display, you can see some of the trees, faint Fa, la, las could be heard.  It was tempting to stay on this side of the door and simply enjoy the fall splendor. 

The door beaconed, the music and fragrances of Christmas enveloped me and I found myself singing along with the songs.  Having sung the holiday for  so many years, I know every verse of every piece. Much as I try to fight it, these lyrics are part of who I am.  Throw in a few lights and some tinsel and I'm a mess of sentimental jello. (Especially when someone else does all the work.)

Adeste, fideles,  Laeti triumphantes,  Venite, venite in Bethlehem!

These always make me think of toilet brushes.  Joy to the world...

The skating scene in the original (1947) "The Bishop's Wife" 

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why...

Run, run, run as fast as you can.  You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man!

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. 

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter!

There must have been some magic in that old silk hat they found. 

Oh, the weather outside is frightful but the fire is so delightful, and since there's no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas.  Let your heart be light.

 We'll dress the house with holly bright and sprigs of mistletoe.
 We'll trim the Christmas tree tonight and set the lights aglow.
We'll wrap our gifts with ribbons gay and give them out on Christmas day.
By everything we do and say, our gladness we will show.
                                            Alfred Burt

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donder and Blitzen.  But do you recall...

When in the Eastern skies the wondrous star did rise and fill the earth with splendor, came birds in joyful throng to sound their dainty song in a carol sweet and tender.

Minuit, chrétiens, c'est l'heure solennelle

I'll have a blue Christmas without you. 

I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus...

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.

And lo, the angel of the lord came upon them and they were sore afraid.

We'll dress the table daintily, Our finest treasures use,
That all a-sparkle it may be And bright with lovely hues.
Then for the feasting we'll prepare a kitchen full of wondrous fare,
 That each from all the dishes rare, his fav'rite one may choose.

But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be on your own front door. 

Hope you have a calm and bright weekend.  

Nope, didn't buy a thing. (I know you were wondering.)

My Greenhouse in November

I'm thrilled that the Schlumbergera started blooming just in time for Thanksgiving.  I now have quite a few varieties so there's bloom from November through March or April.  The blooms last much longer in the cooler greenhouse than they do in the warm house.

I killed my first Begonia  sizemoreae a few years back.  This one has been allowed to get quite dry between waterings which would cause some other begonias to wilt.  The drier treatment seems to have done the trick as it's looking very happy.  The leaves are huge.

The variegated pineapples are getting quite large.  Maybe they'll need to be donated to the conservatory once they outgrow my space. Cussonia spicata is also getting pretty big.  I wish my Cussonia paniculata would be as vigorous!

You can see why I don't need another plant!

Although I see a few small spots on the shelves where something exceptional might squeeze in.  Although the two largish cordylines haven't come in yet and I might take pity on a few things that were slated to be left outside to perish in the cold.

Ensete ventricosum was going to stay outside but it's height and handsome color made me think twice.

Well, that's the greenhouse  this month.  So far, the bugs are under control and haven't been doing any damage.  Knock wood.