Celebrate The Season With Living Energy Of Winter Blooms

Photo courtesy of Charlotte Cowell

Regardless of the festive celebration or tradition, giving greenery delivers joy to all the senses. Let a flowering bulb shine bright, tote along a Christmas cactus bursting with sensational magenta blooms, or hang a homemade wreath woven with rosemary to welcome visitors with a touch of herbal ambience.

FOUR TIMELESS WINTER PLANTS

Photo womue

Amaryllis bulbs

Amaryllis—available in red, pink, peach and white— grow with long green stalks that can be 2 to 3 feet tall before a brilliant flower appears. The winter bloom is associated with determination, strength and pride, perfect for the new year. Another perk, ideal for Colorado, is the bulb’s ability to thrive and bloom indoors in a sunny location. They’re easy to care for; water when the top 2 inches of soil feels dry and allow the pot to drain completely. Increase water as the plant grows: The bigger the stalk and eventual bloom, the more water the bulb will need.

Photo Danut Vieru

Paperwhite bulbs

These long, classic, tiny white flowers have been thriving in winter homes for generations. But be careful gifting this plant, since paperwhites have a distinct smell that can be pungent to some. The scent is from a chemical that compounds when paperwhite blooms. Paperwhites need light to bloom and prefer a sunny spot, but not a place where they are at risk of overheating, such as a south-facing window, and are often planted in gravel. Water the plant once weekly until you see blooms, and then move to a bi-weekly watering schedule.

Tip: City Floral has step-by-step instructions on its website to make floral center-pieces, unique and festive ideas for food and beverage presentation, and helpful hints for maintaining your Christmas tree and poinsettias. 

Photo Tamara Kulikova

Christmas cactus

The Christmas cactus originated in southeastern Brazil and thrive in more humid climates than most cacti. The flat green branching stems produce blooms from September to February, and can be forced to bloom around Christmas, hence their name. Due to their affinity for more humid environments, these cacti enjoy moist soil. Reduce watering in the fall to initiate the blooming process. Positioning a humidifier near your cactus will help it thrive and grow more rapidly. Some happy Christmas cacti will even bloom multiple times per year. The colorful flowers—red, pink, white or purple—can grow up to 3 inches long and last several days before dropping.

Photo nd700

Poinsettia

Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, poinsettias are a popular holiday gift that lasts long after the New Year’s ball is dropped. Throughout the six-week American Christmas holiday, an average of 70 million poinsettia plants are sold. Traditionally red, poinsettias now come in a range of colors, from white to pink to purple, and even marbled (the “flowers” are actually leaf bracts). To encourage reblooming, keep the plant in a sunny spot during the day and complete darkness at night. Water when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. Beware: This plant can be toxic if consumed so take caution with pets and young children. 

Tip: Never allow plants to sit in water; this can attract insects and cause a plant to rot. 

CITY FLORAL
For over a century, Denver’s City Floral has been a greenery mecca for all seasons. Here you will find Denver’s largest selection of bulbs, perfect for winter-time blooms. Pots of all sizes and colors, in which to accessorize a stunning winter bulb, are also available. Plus, garden employees can help with appropriate dirt or rock selection and assist with a watering schedule. 

TAGAWA GARDENS
This family-owned garden center takes holiday blooms seriously. Come November and December, hundreds of its homegrown poinsettias are available, and in exotic colors such as gold, cream, pink, salmon, chartreuse and variegated. Bonus: Complimentary foil and a bow are included with each poinsettia plant purchase. Amaryllis and paperwhite bulbs are also available, plus evergreen porch pots, wreaths and more holiday floral décor.

Julie Bielenberg lives in the Roaring Fork Valley. She has contributed articles to Newsweek, Cowboys & Indians, Fodor’s Travel, Spoke + Blossom, Island Soul, Colorado Expression and more. Julie and her three children, husband and dogs are always in search of an interesting harvest, forage or river ride.