Living Christmas trees create lasting family memories

Planting conifers in mixed containers has been at the top of The Garden Guy’s fall and winter project list. My wife Jan doesn’t even know this has really been a secret, almost double agent-like operation to get more conifers in the landscape. If you remember, she grew up in East Texas and thinks a conifer is only the longleaf pine.

I am doing this under the guise of ‘Living Christmas Trees’ and thriller plants for the new AquaPots. She loved them in the fall decoration with mums and pumpkins and now I have her dazzled with Christmas ornaments and lights. I have to admit the granddaughter, Princess Emma Grace, will be shocked when she sees them at night.

Son James kind of got me started on this idea as one of his clients in Alabama has him plant her favorite silver needle conifer in matching pots each fall and then eventually it goes to serve as a screen on a long fence line. So, The Garden Guy has plans that these new conifers in the AquaPots will go to ‘The Conifer Collection.’

I have to admit there is something special about the Living Christmas Tree idea. Just think these Soft Serve Chamaecyparis or false cypress in my containers will serve as a memory for Emma Grace and Grand Dad too, of Christmas when she was five.

As horticulturists, we have talked often of the idea of Living Christmas Trees but this was mostly geared toward the arduous task of trying to keep one alive for two weeks indoors and then planting outside. This can be done and for sure it will make memories of some sort, but the new trend if you will, or idea, of planting them in mixed containers on the porch or a place of outdoor enjoyment certainly gives a much higher rate of success.

So, The Garden Guy has four AquaPots, two with Soft Serve false cypress and two more with Fluffy arborvitae welcoming visitors to the front entrance. On the back patio are two more AquaPots each with a North Pole arborvitae. As I mentioned, in each pot the conifer serves as the thriller plant.

In each pot, I used a couple of Diamond Frost euphorbia with the snow-like white blossoms for an immediate contrast. I used several Dolce Appletini heuchera with Granny Smith apple-like color and Primo Wild Rose with gorgeous purple leaves. For filler plants I also used Superbells Yellow calibrachoa.

In case you missed my recent column, the AquaPots are incredibly beautiful glazed ceramic planters with a scientifically designed self-watering system. You will love them in the summer when it is hot, as it minimizes lugging the hose around. You will adore them in the winter though as it takes the pressure off you in determining if the plants need water. The plants will take the water up as needed.

We all remember Christmas past, because of house shoes that look like roosters, the tie with the rock band colors, and the sweaters that become part of the proverbial ugly sweater contest.

But I assure you, with the Living Christmas Trees, welcoming family will become memories too as they transfer to the landscape in time. Unbeknownst to the others in the house these become part of a ‘Wonderous Christmas Conifer Collection’. Follow me on Facebook @ NormanWinterTheGardenGuy for more photos and garden inspiration.