Red Flowers for the Holiday
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'Tis the season to be…red. This vibrant colour is most often
associated with the holiday season and adds a touch of flair to
gift-giving and home decorating.
By Veronica Sliva
If you're looking to stray from the traditional
poinsettia this year, read on for alternatives. They're dressed to
impress in all shades of red.
1. Cyclamen
One of
the prettiest holiday plants is the cyclamen with its delicate
flowers that resemble butterflies floating above heart-shaped
leaves. While these beauties come in other colours, red is the most
festive. Give them bright, indirect light in a cool room, and
they'll bloom from mid November until mid February.
2.
Miniature Roses
Everyone loves roses and in velvety shades of
red, they lend an elegant and romantic feel to any room. Minis adapt
well indoors if they get a lot of bright light (a south or west
facing window) and sufficient humidity. Though they may be delicate
looking, they are anything but. In fact, they are winter-hardy to
Zone 4. If you keep your minis growing until spring, you can plant
them in the garden where they will live happily for years to come.
3. Azaleas
Azaleas sport a froth of frilly
blossoms that bloom for several weeks inside. Available in a variety
of pleasing colors, choose deep red for the holiday season. You can
expect azaleas to bloom well into the new year if given a sunny
location and prevented from drying out.
4. Ornamental
Peppers
Ornamental peppers (Capsicum frutescens) are prized
for their spectacular red fruit during the festive season. The
peppers start out green and then change from white to purple to
orange to red. Often, all these colors are present on the plant at
the same time. They like to bask in full sun, and prefer to be kept
on the dry side. As for humidity, they aren't as fussy as some other
houseplants. Usually grown as pot plants, once they are past their
peak, it's best to discard them because they are usually only meant
to be appreciated for the holiday season.
5.
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoes are succulents that bloom in vibrant
oranges, yellows and reds. A trio of plants ablaze with red blossoms
tucked into a basket makes a striking centerpiece. This easy to care
for plant requires only light watering, but the flowers may droop if
they are totally neglected.
6. Bromeliads
The
bromeliad's flower is bold and exotic and makes a visual statement
wherever it's placed. These plants are perfect for those who have
low light conditions, no humidity and are prone to neglect every
living thing. The leathery foliage forms a rosette in the centre of
the plant and forms a funnel that holds water. Bromeliads don't have
an extensive root system so they should be watered about once a
week, and the 'funnel' should always contain water.
7.
Amaryllis
Not only big and beautiful, the amaryllis is
probably the easiest and most dependable of all indoor plants.
Typically sold as bulbs, all you need to do is pot up the bulb,
water it, and then sit back and watch it grow. You'll be rewarded
with one or more spectacular blooms. If you're adventurous, try to
get the amaryllis to re-bloom. Put it in a sunny spot and then water
and feed it regularly to promote foliage growth. The food
manufactured in the leaves will nourish the bulb and create another
bloom. Let it spend next summer outside and in September bring it
inside and stop watering. Store it in a cool, dry location out of
direct light until signs of growth reappear, then give it light and
water. If you're lucky, your amaryllis will bloom again for
you.
8. Caladium
Prized for its gorgeous coloured
leaves, the variety called 'Rosebud' is perfectly dressed for the
holidays with bright, variegated red and green leaves. Grown
outdoors, it's a shade loving plant. However, indoors caladiums
prefer bright light but not direct sun. The caladium is grown from a
tuber, so when the foliage begins to die back, it's a sign that the
bulb is becoming dormant. Let the tuber rest in a cool cellar and
when new growth appears, water it and move it to a bright
location.
9. Episcia
Also called Flame Violet, this
member of the gesneriad family (the same family as African Violets)
has beautiful trailing foliage and dainty flowers. These easy care
delights are well suited to hanging containers and thrive in bright,
indirect light with a medium moist soil. For the holidays, look for
varieties called 'Silver Skys', 'Gold Digger', 'Raspberry Blush',
and 'Costa Rica'. They all have stunning red blooms.
10.
Christmas Cactus
Christmas cacti come in a variety of
colours, but during the holiday season it's the brilliant red that
attracts us most. Relatively easy to grow, Christmas cacti demand
little more than average temperatures, bright light, and a good
watering when the soil's surface feels dry. They can be encouraged
to re-bloom when the nights get cooler and they have 13
uninterrupted hours of darkness.
