Pet Photos With Santa - Sunday Dec 5th

Bring your pets (on a leash of course!) to Art's Nursery this Sunday, Dec. 5th between 1-4pm and get their photos taken with Santa Claus! Our little boy Rufus got a private audience one week early to model for this photograph.

Santa said something about getting a long christmas wish list that included Dentabones, pepperoni sticks, steak, and a bunch of tennis balls. We'll see, Rufus, we'll see... first we need to see if you've been naughty or nice...

Please bring your own camera as this is a free, self serve event with donations being accepted for the local SPCA.

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Art's Nursery

Your Garden In December

Snow Covered Red Holly Berries at Art's Nursery

 Sheesh, you would think everybody is busy enough in December without us telling you about more to do! But since you're here reading...

• Check stored tubers and bulbs. Shake them up, remove moldy bits, add more shavings and if you have some handy, shake on some Cinnamon – it’s a fungicide and mighty tasty one at that - but I wouldn't eat it afterwards!
• Check drainage in outdoor pots after that first bit of snow. If there is too much water build-up move under an overhang.
• You can prune trees and shrubs now. There are some good pruning resources you can check out http://www.treesaregood.org/ for some excellent information on pruning trees and shrubs as well as your local library, or come on in and see us and we can give you some great tips as well as set you up with the proper tools.
• Mist house plants, check locations, some may need to be moved away from drafty windows. Use pebble trays to increase humidity. Fill tray with pebbles and place under the drip tray of a house plant. Add water to pebble tray, water evaporates from the increased surface area of the pebbles, increasing humidity right around the plant.
• Trees, shrubs and hardy perennials can be moved as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. New planting can also be done at this time.
• For a bit of indoor sunshine, get your indoor forcing bulbs now. Paperwhite Daffodils and Amaryllis are by far the most popular
• You can still plant outdoor bulbs now as well as long as the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged.
• Stock up for our feathered friends; locate bird feeders where you can watch them. Art's carries a nice selection of bird houses and bird seed but for an even wider selection the local Wild Bird's Unlimited is awesome!
• Be kind to yourself, take some extra time to relax, have your vitamin C and D and bring in some winter bouquets from your garden.
• Catalogues, catalogues, catalogues. Place feet on comfy stool, grasp catalogue in both hands and…relax. Daydream and plan for next year. Draw, clip pictures and browse the web for some great ideas.

Enjoy, give yourself a pat on the back for another garden year under your belt and take time for yourself. When we have some good weather days, go for a walk in your local park or botanical garden and check out the winterscapes.

This Post Was Written By:

Laurelle O.
Laurelle is an ex, former, recovering landscape designer, heritage apple tree lover, part-time horticulturist at Art's Nursery as well as guest blogger. If you've got a question about apple trees, she's the local guru! You can get in touch with her through Art's Nursery

Choosing A Christmas Tree

Christmas Trees at Art's Nursery



The Christmas 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 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.



Freshly Cut Christmas Trees


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 Nursery 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

	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.
	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. Usually grown big, wide and bushy. Needles do drop quicker than other varieties.
	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. Often quite narrow and compact making it ideal for smaller rooms or houses. A great all around Christmas tree without the premium price of the Noble.
	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. Usually available sheared (the traditional christmas tree cone look), or layered, more sparsely branched and open. Nobles are very slow growing trees and as a result often command a higher price than the other varieties.
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.

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.

3 Strategies For Long Living Christmas Trees
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 Art's Nursery
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.

As an added bonus, click here to download a coupon for $10 Off a Christmas Tree at Art's Nursery. Feel free to send this link to friends and family - we want everybody to get a great tree this year!

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Art's Nursery

Poinsettia - The Christmas Flower

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.

More Information About Poinsettias

History of the Poinsettia - Ecke Ranch

The Poinsettia - Wikipedia

HGTV - The Poinsettia

Poinsettias at Art’s Nursery
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 at 604.882.1201 if you require any more information about this wonderful plant.

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Art's Nursery

5 Plants With Twisted Contorted Branching

Sometimes twisted zig-zags are more interesting than straight and narrow. While we usually looking for ramrod strigh trunks, clean lines and formal branching, sometimes we want something crazy, contorted and unique. These four plants will fit the bill when you are looking for plants with twisted branching.

Harry Lauder's Walking Stick

Harry Lauders Walking Stick

Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

A deciduous large shrub or small tree with a crazy contorted branching habit. This is a great accent plant or specimen due its multiple seasons of interest. Pendulous yellow catkins in late winter are followed by large crinkly green leaves in spring which turn yellow in fall. After the leaves drop, the true feature of the plant becomes amazingly evident. Its branches turn and twist in every direction. Quite striking when uplit in winter. Grows 10-12ft in height and a similar spread. This plant does best in full sun to part shade.

It is quite adaptable to both dry and moist areas. It is tolerant of urban settings and will even do well in inner city environments. Hardy to zone 6.

Corylus avellana 'Red Majestic'

Red Harry Lauders Walking StickCorylus avellana 'Red Majestic'

A variety of the classic Harry Lauders Walking Stick with red crinkled and ridged leaves. A unique large shrub or small deciduous tree with distinct, twisted and curled branches. Leaves are also twisted and become brighter in fall. Weeping purple catkins hang on bare branches in winter. Ideal as an accent, hedge or specimen. Grows to 7ft tall and wide. Best in full sun. Hardy to zone 3.

Robinia 'Twisty Baby'

Twisty Baby Robinia
Robinia pseudocacia
'Twisty Baby'
'Twisty Baby' is a cultivated variety of Black Locust, a native deciduous North American tree and is an excellent specimen or focal point for the garden. Twisted branching and tightly growing leaf clusters that hang offer unique interest to the garden. Foliage turns yellow in fall. Some spines may be present on the branches. Although it is not a reliable bloomer, when it does, it produces pendulous, fragrant white, pea-like flowers. It is drought and pest resistant. Best grown in sun to part shdae in rich, well drained soils. Can grow 8-10ft in height with a slightly larger spread. Hardy to zone 4

Scarlet Curls Willow

Scarlet Curls Willow
Salix matsudana 'Scarlet Curls'
A fast growing deciduous tree with red to orange winter bark and shoots. Branching is contorted and twisted but maintains a loose, spreading growth habit. Leaves are lance-shaped and bright green. Offers great winter colour and interest. As with all willows, plant them away from underground pipes as their roots are prone to wandering as they seek out water sources. Grows best in sun to part shade. Height 20-30ft. Spread 12-15ft. Hardy in zones 6-9

Corscrew Willow

Corkscrew Willow / Dragons Claw Willow
Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa'
A fast growing deciduous tree (usually multi-stemmed) with an oval rounded crown and corkscrew-like branching. Often used as a specimen in the landscape. Neon green long, twisty foliage appears in spring while loosely contorted branching add year round interest.  A native to China and Korea first brought to North America in the 1920's. Will reach a height of 20-30ft at maturity. Best grown in sun and moist soils. Hardy to zone 4.




Art's Nursery carries over 10 acres of plants, shrubs, trees and more. If there is something new, interesting and unique you are looking for, please feel free to give us a call at 604.882.1201 or visit us in person. We look forward to helping you!

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Art's Nursery
Art's Nursery prides itself on its talented and experienced horticultural staff and service people. If you've got a question - they'll try to find the answer!