There's still time! Let Steve "plant" some last-minute gift ideas
There are only a few more days before Christmas ("shopping days" as we've been indoctrinated to call them) and I'm willing to bet that you're still trying to find at least ONE more gift to put under the tree for that special someone.
Don't panic! The Plant Man is here to help. Today I'll suggest a few "last minute" landscaping and gardening gift ideas that could solve your problem and provide some lasting enjoyment for the recipient. And you were going to settle for a Chicken Dance Elmo?!
So pull out that list, check it twice, and see who's been naughty or nice. And for the nice ones...
Butterfly House. These houses provide butterflies with shelter from the elements and, with the addition of some bark shavings, become safe hibernation homes. I've written quite a bit about butterfly houses in the past and you can find more extensive information in previous columns that are archived at my website, www.landsteward.org where you click on "The Plant Man." This is a cool gift for both adults and children and a great way to attract the colorful critters (butterflies that is, not the kids) especially if the "house" is located close to a Buddlea plant, also known as a butterfly bush. Prices vary, but you can find a good butterfly house for around $40.00 to $50.00.
Bat House. Yes, I know what you're thinking. But forget vampires and think mosquitoes... which are much more likely to drink your blood than Count Dracula. One bat will eat hundreds of insects at each nightly feeding. If you dislike mosquitoes as much as I do, you'll think that's a pretty darn good reason to buy a BATchelor pad for someone on your list who spends time outside. You should be able to find a bat house in kit form for around $25.00 or less.
Hummingbird Feeder. There's something very relaxing about sitting on a patio and watching hummingbirds hover around a hanging feeder. If the person on your gift list lives in an area where hummingbirds tend to hang out, this might be the ideal gift. Most feeders are very reasonably priced and easy to install and maintain. Some "kits" include seeds that grow into wildflowers that attract the little hummers as well. Expect to pay $15.00 to $25.00.
"Home Landscaping: Plants, Projects and Ideas For Your Yard". This book published by Better Homes and Gardens could be a good gift for someone who likes to spend the winter dreaming and planning spring landscaping projects. There are a lot of color photos to accompany the text that is divided into three sections: yard layout, strategies and principles, and finally step-by-step instructions for the various projects. Prices vary depending where you buy it, but I've seen it in bookstores and online for around $23.00 to $24.00.
"Landscaping for Dummies". Here's a gift book intended for the real novice... and presumably someone who won't mind you implying that they are a "dummy." If they can live with the insult, they'll find a bunch of really useful information that really does start with the "basics." Lots of tips on how to draw up a site plan, the significance of the various zones, ways to save money, and some hints on problem solving. Around $11.00 to $15.00.
Just a reminder that you can go to my website www.landsteward.org and find this column under "The Plant Man" heading. You'll find various direct links to more information about several of the items I've mentioned here. So save the coal for the naughty ones on your list, and surprise the nice folks with a gift that will help them remember you throughout the spring and summer next year!
The Plant Man is here to help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to steve@landsteward.org or mail to: Steve Jones, "The Plant Man", P.O. Box 686, McMinnville, TN 37111. For resources and additional information, including archived columns, visit www.landsteward.org
QUESTION: "Is there any chance you could write an article for your regular column, or include some space in your website, that would discuss plants and trees that have different color leaves. I recently noticed that one of my neighbors has a beautiful landscape of bluish-colored plants. Leaves and needles of his shrubs are all more blue than green. I did a Google search to see if anyone lists plants in this manner and was unable to find any other than the obvious blue spruce." - Stu Gitlow.
ANSWER: Good idea! But let's see if any readers have some suggestions! So tell me, folks: do you know of any trees and plants that sport leaves of a different color to the usual ol' green? How many different colored varieties can we come up with? Send me e-mail with your suggestions and I'll write a column based on your suggestions.
