Merry Christmas from all the folks at Out of Eden! 

We have all enjoyed a spectacular display of fall color and now are seeing most plants go to sleep for a winter’s rest.  A question customers often have is "how late can I plant?"  Shrubs and trees can be planted all through the fall and winter as long as it doesn’t freeze so deep that you cannot dig.   In fact, it is a good time when the trees and shrubs are dormant to plant and let them take advantage of the cooler more moist climate here.  The thing to remember is that these plants may need watering if we have warm, dry weather for more than a week.

The gift boutique is looking fabulous with all the Christmas trees decorated and garland strung.  Custom wreaths and table décor have been a popular item this year.  Everyone can express their uniqueness by picking out the sprays, picks and ribbon they like and having our designer arrange and secure these to a wreath or other greenery.  Keep a watch on our website for upcoming sales.

Gary and I have just returned from North Carolina with the best looking fresh-cut Christmas trees and wreaths and garlands ever.  Another option is to have a fresh greens bouquet to flank your front door or to don your table.  Nothing says Christmas more than the smell of fresh pine.  And don’t forget the poinsettias for the finishing touch.

In His Love,

Gary and Julie Bridenbaugh

A garden can have many uses besides just providing beauty to a home. It can also provide a safe haven for birds to eat and have shelter, and provide one with hours of bird-watching entertainment.

Birds are naturally drawn to trees and shrubs because these plants provide a place to hide from their enemies, a place to nest and roost, a place to get a meal, and a place to rest. The key is having a mix of trees and shrubs that are either evergreen or bear fruit, nuts, berries or cones.

By providing a variety of different trees and shrubs, you will attract a greater variety of birds to your yard. Some can provide food; others will provide shelter. Birds have various individual tastes, so if you provide a variety of food sources, a greater number will decide your garden would be a nice place to visit or even live.

It helps to have a diverse variety of heights, foliage types and densities. Consider planting bushes in groups, making a special effort to be strategic in locations that will receive less human traffic. Birds need cover to hide from their enemies and to stay safe during cold or stormy weather. Dense evergreens can actually shelter birds and insulate them from winds. In summer these same trees and plants will provide protection from the sun and heat, as well as a place to nest.

It helps to learn about which birds actually live in or migrate annually to and from your area. Create a list of birds and then find out their favorite food and type of nesting place. We have many great plants to provide birds food and shelter. (Many plants produce food for birds in the fall season.) So come in and visit us soon. Our staff of nursery professionals will be happy to help you plan a garden that is not only beautiful, but one that will also keep the local bird population happy!

Poinsettias are a wonderful worldwide holiday tradition. In fact, next to a Christmas tree, nothing else says Christmas quite like poinsettias. Displayed alone or in groups, they can add a festive splash of color to every décor. From a centerpiece on a holiday table to a miniature plant decorating the corner of an office desk, to a colorful hanging basket that can brighten any room, the poinsettia is the perfect holiday gift.

So how did poinsettias become so popular at Christmas--and where do they come from? According to Mexican legend, a poor Mexican girl named Pepita who could not afford a gift to offer to Christ on Christmas Eve picked some weeds from the side of a road. The child was told that even a humble gift, if given in love, would be acceptable in God's eyes. When she brought the weeds into the church and laid them at the feet of the Christ child, they bloomed into red and green flowers, and the congregation felt they had witnessed a Christmas miracle.

Poinsettias are native to the tropical forest at moderate elevations along the Pacific coast of Mexico and some parts of Guatemala. They are named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Ambassador to Mexico, who introduced the plant in the U.S. in 1825.

Poinsettias have come a long way from their humble beginnings. For years only variations of red flowers were propagated and grown. But now there are hundreds of color varieties available ranging from traditional shades of red, pink and white to burgundy, peach, striped, flecked and hand-dyed varieties.

Poinsettias are fairly easy-going, and with proper care can last long past the holiday season. Just click on the link below for a complete care guide including tips for re-blooming the following season.

We have an outstanding selection of poinsettias in every color including a number of new varieties. The sooner you purchase your poinsettias, the sooner you and your friends will be able to enjoy the unique holiday beauty that only they can provide. So hurry in and pick some up today while supplies last!

Check out our Poinsettia Care Guide (click here).

New York, San Francisco and LA are great cities to stroll through, especially in the winter. If you're a true gardener, you'll be captivated and inspired by the ingenuity, originality, and beauty of the indoor potted gardens that adorn hotels, stores, and financial buildings.

The message that comes from these designs is "Think outside the box!" Pansies, poppies, stock, and snapdragons are the staples for most winter color planting in garden beds — but in your pots try some new combinations.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Nothing says "welcome" better than twin pots flanking an entry point. Use a medium-to-tall evergreen in the center of each pot. Cedrus deodora works very well. Make sure your pot is wide enough to encircle the evergreen with dusty miller, red cyclamen, variegated "iceberg" ivy or some other decorative plant. Optional: weave battery-operated white lights in the tree for special occasions. Gorgeous!

For a narrow area try staked pyracantha (firethorn) ringed with carex comens (frosty curls), helichrysum petiolare (white licorice) or liriope (silver dragon). You can also use a 3'x3' espaliered pyracantha.

For a tropical look use split-leaf philodendron or a bird of paradise surrounded by red trailing bougainvillea and white lantana.

You get the idea. Don't limit yourself to the obvious; take joy in being creative!

Many of us like to push the limits a bit on plants we grow, hoping one that is not quite suited for our area will survive the winter. So we've usually got a few that aren't as cold-hardy as they should be. As the winter nights get colder, these plants may be damaged or even killed. Even plants that are hardy can be damaged in a severe cold snap.

Plants suffer cold damage when they lose moisture from their leaves but can't replace the moisture because the soil is dry or the water in the ground is frozen. Knowing and following a few basic principles will go a long way towards protecting your plants from winter damage and helping them leaf out again next spring.

Moist soils in colder regions will stay moist after the first fall (and subsequent) rains. The key is to make sure that the ground doesn't freeze down to the root zone of sensitive plants. Moist soil holds and releases more heat than dry soil, creating a more humid environment around the plant when the cold pulls moisture from the foliage.

The best way to insulate the soil is with a 2-3" layer of mulch. Place the mulch around the plant to at least a little past the drip line of each plant (the drip line is the outer edge of where water will fall when it drips from foliage). The mulch will allow moisture in but help prevent the ground from freezing down to the root zone. Snow on the ground (or on top of the mulch) will also provide some insulation--if you have snow on the ground, leave it right where it is!

Another way to protect plants is to stack or place pine needles or leaves around each plant. Pine needles, straw, or hay are best, because they allow the plant to breathe--but in a temporary pinch, leaves will work. Simply start from the ground up and create a pile that covers the main branching structure to at least two feet above the ground.

Covering plants with frost cloth, burlap, or plastic will also protect plants an extra 2-6 degrees. The material should be secured over frames or stakes so that it does not touch the plant; otherwise, it will just transfer the cold. Make sure to remove these coverings during the daytime on any day when temperatures stay above freezing; this will allow the plants to absorb the warming sunlight.

When it snows, don't rush out to brush all that snow off your plants. Believe it or not, a light layer of snow is actually good for perennials. Heavy wet snows can weigh down and break branches--but try not to remove all the snow, as it is an excellent insulator against the frigid temperatures that may injure plants.

Do not prune cold-sensitive plants until spring has arrived. In a sense, let the cold do the pruning for you. If your plant is injured, leave the damaged burnt leaves on the plant to protect the foliage underneath. Premature trimming may stimulate tender new growth that could be damaged by a late cold snap. You may also end up cutting out more than is necessary, mistaking still-alive growth for dead. Prune only after new growth has started to appear.

If you have any questions as to which plants to protect, just ask one of our nursery professionals. We'll help you make sure you're ready to help your plants stand up to the cold of winter.

No Christmas season would be complete without the fragrance and beauty of fresh evergreen wreaths and greens. Here we stock an excellent selection of plain and decorated Christmas wreaths. We have a variety of sizes to fit any door or entryway.

Our garlands can be cut to any size and are perfect for wrapping around stairway banisters, bookshelves, and fireplace mantels. Our table centerpieces make the perfect Christmas accent for dinner tables and coffee tables.

We pride ourselves on offering only the freshest. So don't delay, hurry in and pick up the freshest greens in town today!

The holiday season has arrived! At Out of Eden Garden Center we have great holiday decorating ideas for you.

Your home can be the sumptuous, elegant backdrop where friends and family to gather to celebrate traditions new and old. Come in and take in our assortment of new Christmas ornaments and themed Christmas trees showcased in our warehouse. Browse our inspiring displays and envision the welcoming environment you can create for entertaining throughout the season.

Of course there are plenty of holiday plants to grace your home with texture and fragrance. We have fresh greenery, poinsettias, and much much more!

Place Christmas cactus on a desk or table, wrapping the pot with vibrant red cotton fabric and tying a crisp white satin bow to secure it. Group poinsettias up a staircase, or mass several cyclamens on either side of your fireplace hearth. Force paperwhites and amaryllis bulbs in various shallow crystal or silver footed serving bowls; plant the bulbs in clear glass pebbles and cover the surface with small silver and gold ornaments to add a festive touch.

And of course nothing is more festive than the scent and the traditional touch that only fresh wreaths and garland bring to a room dressed for the holidays.

Out of Eden Garden Center can supply you with all the little touches that make holiday occasions magical. You can enjoy the picture-perfect holiday setting of your dreams for all your celebrations while you enjoy precious moments with family and friends.