About Us:Art's Nursery Ltd. is one of Metro Vancouver's largest retail and wholesale nurseries and prides itself on offering a huge 10+ acre selection of plants, shrubs, trees and more. We are located at: 8940 192nd Street, Surrey-Port Kells, B.C., Canada Tel: 604.882.1201 www.artsnursery.comReg Hours:
Mon-Wed 9:00am - 6:00pm
Thu-Fri 9:00am - 6:00pm
Sat 9:00am - 6:00pm
Sun: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Extended hours in spring & summer. What's New?:
Art's now carries flocked Christmas trees. Trees require 2-3 days to dry once flocked so order yours early!
Feature Product:
Mahonia x 'Charity'
This striking winter-blooming plant features mildly fragrant, yellow flower spikes, holly like leaves and lots of character. It does best in moist well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. An excellent plant for winter gardens due to its evergreen foliage and winter flowers that fountain from the top of the plant.
Height: 7-10ft. Spread: 4-5ft. Hardy to zone 7. Did You Know?
Art's Nursery has a full service florist? Our talented professionals can create bouquets, arrangements, centrepieces, tropical planters and more. During the holidays we can personalize wreaths, create door swags and everything you need for holiday decorating.
Contact Us:We welcome your comments and suggestions on this email newsletter. Email the editor. | Arts Nursery December 2009 Newsletter
Christmas is coming! Yes it is December! It is a time to explore the brave plants of winter that shine during these months, but it is also a time to have hot chocolate, decorate the tree, enjoy each other’s company and to think of others we wish were sharing it with us. It is also an opportunity to think of others and experience the gift of giving to perhaps someone we don’t even know, let no one be forgotten or loved this Christmas!
We take this opportunity to remember the friends and customers who help us and our business and make our jobs a pleasure all year long. Our business would not be possible without you!. Thank you for letting us be a part of your life and garden. We will be here to serve you until 2:00pm Christmas Eve, and then we too will be taking a rest for the holidays.
Best wishes to you and your families. May your New Year be filled with all the success and happiness you deserve.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Art, Dorothy, Rebecca and all the great staff at Art’s!
December in Your Garden
Now is the time to do any garden daydreaming and redesigning…on paper of course. Peruse seed and plant catalogues and check out websites (ours too) for plant information. We carry an excellent variety of seeds in the New Year. Take special note at this time of year for plants for outstanding form and winter interest. VanDusen and UBC botanical gardens as is Langley’s own Sendall Gardens, are excellent resources and just as interesting in the winter.
There is still time to plant larger trees and shrubs. They can be planted as long as the ground is not frozen. Water in well even though soil may be wet to get rid of any potential frost pockets.
Check garden drainage, note problem spots.
Continue basic garden tidy, but don’t go overboard. Overwintering native bees and other pollinators often make homes in the hollow cavities of spent woody perennials such as Echinacea and Rudbeckia.
Spread any compost, mulch or manure if you didn’t find a dry day to do it in November.
Top-dress blueberry plants with sawdust, bark chips (not cedar) or pine needles.
Check perennial beds near large trees for tree roots. Cut interfering roots with sharp spade.
Check Dahlias in storage, if shriveled immerse in tepid water overnight, dry thoroughly and replace in peat or vermiculite.
Still time to plant bulbs now if November was too rainy to get out in the garden!
Clean out and ready bird feeders. Pick up wild bird seed and suet treats so you’ll be ready when the snow comes if this year is anything like last year. If you’re feeling crafty make pinecone peanut butter seed balls by slathering peanut butter onto a pinecone and rolling in wild bird seed.
Drain and bring in hoses so they don’t freeze.
Now that we’ve had some nice windstorms, collect pine and fir boughs to green up your outdoor pots or make swags or wreaths. We’ve got lots of bundled greenery as well as curly willow and twig dogwood for your pots or wreaths.
Now is a good time to do some light pruning of your grape vines…they make awesome wreaths as well.
You can do a light pruning of roses and finish the rest in February. You can thin Hydrangeas and forsythias removing up to one third of the oldest canes or branches right to the base.
Pick bunches of Sage, Parsley, Rosemary and Thyme or any others that you’ll use during the holidays to dry inside so they’ll be ready for cooking.
Cover Gunnera with its own leaves and pine boughs.
Rake up any remaining leaves from the lawn to avoid dead patches.
Continue to clean any rotting vegetation from ponds. If you have fish, make sure you have a pond heater to keep a small portion free from ice to allow gas and oxygen exchange.
Keep and eye out for Viburnum bodnatense Pink Dawn and Hellebore varieties which are just coming into bloom!
Relax, put your feet up and have a cup of tea or maybe even an eggnog!
The tree is the central focal point of every Christmas celebration in North America, but did you know this tradition dates back to Northern Germany and the Baltic states in the 16th century? The modern Christmas tree has evolved over time but still has its roots from these early days.
Today, the Christmas tree is a symbol of the Christmas spirit and brings into our urban lives the fragrance of the rural forest. Art's Nursery is proud to offer a fine selection of beautiful, locally grown and imported live and freshly cut Christmas trees as well as all sorts of accessories and decorations.
Live Christmas Trees
Live trees have intact root systems and can be planted in your garden after Christmas.
They are available in two types, balled and burlapped (BB) or potted.
Balled and burlapped trees have been dug up, and their root systems cut and wrapped into burlap. They are still living and will regenerate their roots over time.
Potted trees have their entire root systems growing in containers or pots.
In the Fall and Winter, Christmas trees are in a state of dormancy. Once inside, surrounded by warmth and dryness over an extended period of time, the trees may break this dormancy and begin growing. This tender new growth can be damaged by cold temperatures once the tree is replanted outside. In fact, in extreme cases the entire tree may perish from the shock of the outdoor conditions. To avoid this, do not keep a live tree inside for more than 10 days. After Christmas, place the live tree in a cool sheltered position such as a garage or greenhouse to allow it to acclimatize. After this time, it is ready to be planted outside.
Cut Christmas Trees
Cut Christmas trees have been grown at a farm, cut and delivered to us.
Freshly cut trees look healthy, green and many will give off a strong scent or aroma when the trunk is cut or the needles crushed or bruised. Fresh trees will also retain their needles well. Cut trees will only remain fresh for a certain number of weeks depending on the type and the conditions the tree has been exposed to during transport and storage. Once cut, a tree attempts to protect the wound by sealing it with a layer of sap. This sap rapidly reduces the tree's ability to absorb nutrients and water. Once its reserves of water are exhausted, the needles will dry out and begin to fall off the tree. The longer the time between cutting and purchase, the more likely needle loss becomes. For this reason, it is best to purchase your tree early and get it into water as soon as possible.
Christmas trees are also available in different grades. The premium, 1st grade trees are the best cared for, the best in appearance and command the highest price. 2nd grade trees may have minor defects, broken branches or may not have the perfect shape. At Art's we offer the highest quality, premium trees, and keep our prices competitive to those of the large retailers.
When choosing a tree, always examine its appearance and measure its needle retentiveness by picking it up and dropping it on its base once or twice or by gently grabbing the needles and pulling them towards you. While all trees will lose a few needles, excessive needle drop may indicate a dry tree that may not be the best choice for your home.
Common Christmas Tree Varieties
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Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii
The most common and widely available type of christmas tree. The Douglas fir is fast growing, making it the most economical type of Christmas tree. Soft, long needles emit a light, fresh, lemony scent when touched or bruised. Branches are slim and will bend under the weight of heavy ornaments. Can be found in a variety of sizes from small to very large due to its quick rate of growth.
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Grand Fir
Abies grandis
A true specimen Christmas tree. While not extremely well known, the Grand Fir is perhaps one of the most unique. Soft, mid to dark green needles are glossy and arranged in flattened sprays. Looks very attractive when lit. The most fragrant of all the Christmas tree varieties. When touched or bruised, the needles give off an incredibly strong orange-citrus fragrance. Branches are mid-sized and can carry significant weight. Needles do drop quicker than other varieties.
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Fraser Fir
Abies fraserii
Very similar to the Balsam Fir, Frasers offer strong, thick branches, short, stiff needles and a pleasing fresh fragrance. Needles have great retention - second only to the Noble Fir. Easily identifiable as its needles have a whitish lines on the underside. A great all around Christmas tree without the premium price of the Noble.
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Noble Fir
Abies procera
The creme de la creme of Christmas trees. The Noble fir has elegant upturned tufts of stiff needles, heavy strong branches capable of carrying many ornaments and a great forest fragrance. Has the best needle retention of all of the Christmas trees. Nobles are very slow growing trees and as a result often command a higher price than the other varieties.
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Other Varieties
Many other types of Christmas trees are available around the world, but the ones we carry are the most commonly available in the Pacific Northwest. Other popular favourites include the Nordmann Fir, Scotch Pine, Balsam Fir, Spruce and others. Some of these are available from us as live Christmas trees.
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Caring for your Christmas Tree
At Art's we are pleased to offer each and every tree a fresh cut. This will enhance the trees ability to absorb water and thereby increase its cut life span.
It is essential that a fresh cut be fully immersed in water as soon as possible. If too much time elapses, give the tree a second cut with a saw. Remove about half to one inch of the stump to remove the sap sealing the bottom of the tree,
If you need to store the tree before setting it up and decorating it, keep the trunk in a bucket of fresh water in a cool, sheltered location away from sun ,heat and wind. If the tree will be in storage for more than a day or so, make another fresh half-inch cut up the trunk before decorating it.
There are three key strategies to follow when caring for your Christmas tree:
The first is to place it in a good location. Ensure the tree is placed in area away from drafts, winds and heat sources like fireplaces, wood stoves, heat vents, radiators and tv's.
Warm dry houses are hard on Christmas trees. The longer they are indoors, the faster their needles will dry up, turn brown and fall off.
The second key factor in caring for your Christmas tree is to keep it well watered. In the fall and winter trees are dormant. When they are brought iinto the warm indoors, they will assume that it is Spring, break dormancy and begin to grow. This causes them to dramatically increase their water intake. Daily watering may be required as an average sized Christmas tree can absorb up to a gallon of water a day. Ensure that the water level in the stand is always above the cut line or else dried tree sap will form a new seal blocking the further uptake of water. If this happens, take the tree out of its stand and make a new cut ½ inch up from the previous one.
A final tree care option is to use an anti-transpirant product like `Tree Fresh`. This substance reduces the amount of water lost by the needles thereby helping the tree stay fresher for a long period of time.
Avoiding Potential Hazards
The number one hazard in having any type of Christmas tree at home is the threat of an electrical fire. Always make sure any Christmas lights on or near the tree are in good working order. Use only CSA (Canadian Standards Association) approved lights. Avoid using outdoor lights as they can generate a lot of heat - stick with the smaller, indoor mini-lights for your Christmas tree. Finally, never leave the lights on when sleeping or when you leave the house. Be safe and enjoy a very festive holiday season with your beautiful Christmas tree!
Get Your Christmas Trees At Arts!
Live Christmas trees are available at Arts all year round. Hundreds of freshly cut trees arrive in late November and December and are available through the holiday season. We display all trees unwrapped so you can browse, inspect and choose the best one for you and your family. Every tree receives a fresh cut and is wrapped for easy transport. Simply take it home, put it in its stand and decorate! Delivery is also available for a nominal fee.
Read This Article Online
The Poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, is the most popular indoor potted plant in North America. Widely available in late November and December, it is a native to Mexico, and was introduced to the US in 1825 by Joel R. Poinsett, the first American Ambassador to Mexico. Today, there are hundreds of different varieties of Poinsettias available. It has simply become known as “The Christmas Flower”.
Colourful Flowers
What makes the Poinsettia unique is the fact its flowers are not the brightly coloured petal-like leaves, or “bracts”, we are so fond of. In fact, the true flowers are the yellowish-green button-like objects at the center of the bracts. Fresh poinsettias will have tightly closed flowers, while older ones will have opened.
Varieties
Poinsettias come in hundreds of varieties ranging from the ever popular red, the pretty in pink, the classic creamy-white and a wide range of newer marbled, speckled and tinged varieties. All share similar preferences and growing characteristics with subtle differences between varieties.
Location
Poinsettias should be placed in areas that receive bright, but not direct sunlight. Too much sunlight can discolour the bracts. Keep Poinsettias away from cold drafts such as those from windows or outside doors. Also take precautions to keep them away from heat sources like vents, radiators and fireplaces. An average temperature of 15-21 degrees Celsius in optimal.
Watering
Poinsettias dislike moisture extremes. If the soil dries out, the plant will wilt and drop its leaves. Keeping a gravel filled pan with water underneath the plant is a good way to increase humidity. Do not overwater or allow the Poinsettia to sit in water or the leaves may yellow, drop and root rot may occur.
General Care
While Poinsettias are technically perennials, they often decline in appearance within 6-8 weeks. As a result, most people choose to discard them early in the New Year. To maintain your Poinsettia, you will need to give it regular attention. In April-May, cut back the stems to within 3-6 inches of the soil. Starting in Spring, fertilize every 3-4 weeks with a complete fertilizer. As it grows, pinch it back to encourage more growth.
Reblooming
In order to re-bloom in the Winter, Poinsettias require 8-10 weeks of days with less than 10-12 hours of sunlight. Regulate the amount of light it receives beginning in October to make it colour-up by Christmas. Even after all this, very few poinsettias look as good as new ones grown by professionals.
Are They Poisonous?
As a member of the Euphorbiaceae family of plants, Poinsettias ooze a milky sap that can be an irritant if contacted or ingested. Labratory tests have shown that ingestion may cause discomfort, but the plant is not poisonous to people or pets in small quantities.
Poinsettias at Art’s
At Art's Nursery, Poinsettias are generally available from late November through to the holidays. We carry a great selection of small and large sizes in either plain or dressed styles. You'll find a selection of the traditional varieties as well as many of the new, hot varieties too! Individual, bulk and corporate orders are always welcome. Give us a call if you require any more information about this wonderful plant.
Read This Article Online The Holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown.
(Sir Henry Walford Davies)
It’s that time of year again and there is no better plant to herald the winter season. There are few plants steeped in greater symbolism than Holly and fewer still to rival its beauty and versatility in our gloomiest and wettest season. For gardeners, historians and mythology buffs, the holly is a winter must have.
For Christians past and present, Ancient Romans, and Druids, holly has served as more than winter colour. For Christians, the tiny white flowers of the holly symbolize the purity and birth of Christ, while the red berry represent the blood shed for our sins, the spiny leaves symbolize crown of thorns Christ wore to the cross. For the Romans, Holly represented Saturn, god of the harvest. Holly was hung on doors and used in costumes during Saturnalia which occurs during the winter solstice. The Druids believed holly could help you foretell the future and was a powerful weapon against evil spirits. It was a symbol of fertility and eternal life and holly branches were brought inside in the winter months as they were said to shelter woodland faeries. Quite a lot to keep in mind when you place that sprig upon yonder mantle and table centerpiece.
In any season the holly is a stunning plant and can more than hold it’s own in any garden style from contemporary West Coast to English country. There are a huge range of varieties with the largest making its sedate way to about 40feet in a generation or two and some of the smallest remaining a diminutive 2 to 3 feet.
Holly makes a wonderful winter focal point, especially the variegated Ilex aquifolium ‘Aureo-marginata’. Providing that oh so important splash of light in the winter landscape. It can be sheared into a hedge, pollarded and best of all left grow into its natural broadly pyramidal shape. Depending on the variety the berry colour ranges from red, to yellow to black. It can take pot culture, indeed there is some holly in a pot gracing and protecting my front doorstep nestled among some lovely silvery grasses, a variegated ivy, winter pansies and moss. Who knows what symbolism I have mixed in that very pot?
Adding holly to your landscape comes with one caveat…plant it somewhere you will not need to garden under or scamper by barefoot. If you choose a spiny holly, the leaves will pierce even the rubber dipped gloves!
At the back of the yard to draw the eye is best and avoid planting the uber spiny Ilex aquifolium ‘Ferrox’ (hedgehog holly) where toddlers, puppies or tipsy friends are likely to fall into it, unless you are not fond of the toddlers, puppies or tipsy friends.
Or if your yard is small as mine is, a potted holly which I keep trimmed and use the trimmings for Christmas and winter colour decorating does the trick nicely. When I add the cut pieces into my other planter pots combined with fir and cedar branches to disguise the empty spaces of my dormant perennials and long gone impatiens and top with some dollar store silver bells it completely rejuvenates my front entrance and the holly lasts until March. Holly is indeed a design workhorse!
Holly is not a particularly fussy plant to grow it can be grown in sun or shade or any variation thereof and prefers a well drained loamy soil. Female plants produce berries and must be pollinated by a male holly. And yes, I am chuckling while I write this. Holly is a useful wildlife plant. I have noticed a number of tiny native bee types hovering around the flowers in the spring, indeed, the flowers are so tiny it was the bees that made me notice. The berries are an important food for a number of types of birds in the winter, but don’t try it yourself, they are according to the poison book, an explosive emetic. Because of its structure, holly also provides safe shelter for birds and other wildlife not to mention woodland faeries according to the Druids. Useful and easy peasy, think holly when you want to add some colour and meaning to your winter landscape!
At Art's Nursery, we carry a variety of holly trees and shrubs, both evergreen and deciduous. Stop by or give us a call and we'll help you pick the perfect one for you!
Read This Article Online | Back to Top | Great Gifts For Gardeners
Art's carries a great selection of gifts for gardeners. Bring in this newsletter on your next visit for these great deals.
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Sunset Western Garden Book
A useful book for new or experienced gardeners. Packed with info on design, plants and planting.
Reg $29.98 ea
Your Price:
$24.98 ea
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Corona Bypass Pruner & Pouch
Helps you prune like a pro! High quality stainless steel blades, and a handy belt pouch.
Reg $29.98 ea
Your Price:
$24.98 ea
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Wonder Woman Gloves
Warm and soft, but tough. Breathable backs, and velcro wrist straps. By Watson.
Reg $16.98 ea
Your Price:
$14.98 ea
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Garden Song Window Bird Feeder
Feed the birds in winter. A great way to bring birds close. Kids love them.
Reg $8.98 ea
Your Price:
$6.98 ea
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16ft Cedar or Mixed Garland
Decorate your home with beautiful cedar or mixed garland. Cut to 16ft lengths - an ideal length for doors and fireplaces.
Reg $26.98 ea
Your Price:
$22.98 ea
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Holly Berry Stems
A highly prized decoration for the holidays. Bare holly stems loaded with bright red berries. Limited quantity available! Bundles of 5.
$12.98 and up
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Dressed Poinsettias
Beautiful potted poinsettia plants decorated with greens, cones, bows and more. Very festive. 6 inch size.
Reg $12.98 ea
Your Price:
$10.98 ea
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Locally Made Mixed Wreaths
Beautify your door with these gorgeous locally made mixed wreaths. We can even personalize them for a wee bit extra with twigs, cones and ornaments to suit your tastes. Ask our florists for details.
From $22.98
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Huckleberry Stems
Striking red-tinged branches beautiful in holiday decorations and flower arrangements. Limited quantity available.
Reg $5.98 ea
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Boughs & Greens
We carry all kinds of boughs, greens & swags for your decorating fun! Noble, Cedar, Pine and more
From $5.98
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Art's Gift Cards
Give a gift that grows! Buy that special someone an Arts Gift Card. Available in any denomination.
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Mini Living Christmas Trees
These slow growing Dwarf Alberta Spruce are great for outdoor planters, patios and gardens. Decorate them with mini-lights and enjoy!
From $16.98
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Fall/Winter Hours of Operation
Arts Nursery is open 7 days a week - year round to serve you
Sat - Wed: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Thu - Fri: 9:00am - 8:00pm
Art's will be closing mid-afternoon, Dec 24th for the holidays and will re-opening soon after New Years, weather permitting.
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