It gets harder each year to select gifts for Christmas. With the festive season fast approaching, thoughts turn to Christmas presents for family and friends. However, with a little imagination you can create unique gifts for loved ones who are keen gardeners and enjoy the great outdoors. There’s nothing more delightful than receiving a gift crafted with a personal touch. Growing gifts are timeless and make wonderful memories when planted in the garden to enjoy for years to come. Here are some popular ideas to consider this year.
Bulb lasagne – The art of layering spring bulbs in a pot to enjoy a colourful display throughout the winter months and into spring. Finish off with some colourful cyclamen to complete the look. There’s still time to get one planted.
Hyacinths – A real favourite for Christmas. Choose from a range of colours to add fragrance to the home. They are also ideal as a floral tribute for the grave to remember loved ones no longer with us.
Make a bulb lasagne for colour in the springHyacinths provide colour and scent
Paperwhites – Planted tightly in pots, the prepared daffodils will flower during December. Their scent and colours remind us that spring will soon be upon us. Ideal gift when visiting friends this Christmas.
Planted baskets and pots – choose seasonal and evergreen plants. A decorative basket can cheer up a porch or patio table. Add some festive decorations for an extra touch.
When finished flowering, these can all be planted in the garden to naturalise in the borders for the following season. The gift that keeps on giving.
If you’re looking for more unusual gifts for gardeners consider a tree – fruit or ornamental varieties – they are ideal for a new garden or for someone who has recently moved. A collection of herbs or fruit bushes for those who enjoy the edible garden and cooking their produce.
Evergreen shrubs, including Azalea, Rhododendron, Camellia and Hellebore (Christmas Rose), are all worth considering. Often showing their buds at Christmas, they give a positive glimpse of the arrival of spring, just around the corner.
Hampers are becoming popular gifts. You’ll get more for your money if you create your own. For gardeners choose seed packets, gloves, pots labels, plants etc. Pick a theme – maybe allotment growing, a cutting garden or a starter pack for children to grow their own – displayed in a useful trug, basket or pot they are a practical present that will be well received. Most gardeners love tools and there are plenty to consider whether it’s a digging or cutting implement the recipient will be eager to start using them in the new year.
Make up a gardening hamper for a loved oneBird feeders make a great present
For bird lovers and wildlife enthusiasts choose bird boxes, feeders and insect hotels, which are particularly popular with children. Again, make up a hamper and maybe add a relevant book to complement the gift.
And finally, on the subject of hampers, why not create a food hamper with luxury treats? make it personal to your loved one, choosing their favourite flavours and tastes – maybe a theme such as chilli and spices etc. Creating your own gifts is very rewarding and takes you away from the hassle of searching endlessly in the shops, allowing you to relax and enjoy the festive season. Why not try it yourself this year. If you’re really stuck for ideas, you can always send a gift voucher!
PLANT OF THE MONTH
Blue spruce picea pungens is a small tree
Picea pungens glauca – BLUE SPRUCE
A popular ornamental evergreen tree with horizontal branches and stiff, short needles. With its Christmas tree shape and blue-silver appearance, it gives a frosted, wintry look to the garden especially in winter. Often used as a Christmas tree in the home, the crisp pine scent adds a woody fragrance over the festive period. An ideal feature tree used as a statement plant. Plant in a sunny position and silty, free-draining soil. Slow to grow.
Business as usual
After 65 years of growing, we have decided to close the nursery in Rougham and will now focus on developing the business at our plant centre in Barrow, with some exciting new projects planned for the future. It’s business as usual at RHN Plant Centre, so we hope to see you soon.
Workshops
A few places still available on the following workshops:
Sunday, December 14 – Christmas centerpiece arrangement
Tuesday, December 16 – Festive table wreath
Visit rhn.me.uk for booking details.
Find Rougham Hall Nurseries at: RHN Plant Centre, Colethorpe Lane, Barrow, IP29 5BE
Call 07813 008960
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