CELEBRATE THE WINTER SOLSTICE
by Frank La Rosa Mazza
Years ago I planted a few small gallon size pyracanthas, old variety poinsettias, Indian hawthorn, and deep green needled conifers (Japanese black pines). White blossoms, red berries, and green pine branches.
Now I have a natural winter garden of reds and greens that bespeak the Spirit of Christmas without my having to rely on commercial store bought decorations and ornamentation.
The pyracanthas have grown into massive bright red berried shapes that set off the front garden in Christmas, beautiful shapes of bright red, and the birds love the plump berries. Poised on both side of the front planter bed, they are seasonal flames. Everybody likes 'em
A long time ago (molti anni fa} I was able to get some poinsettia cuttings; not the hot house forced types or the varieties packed on shelves at Walmart. These cool poinsettias are the variety that were grown thirty or forty years ago by the old Italians in their Little Italy front yard gardens. Now, few of these jewel like gardens remain, alas--the condos are wiping them out. Every year developer does a scrape that obliterates the past.
These old poinsettias are hardy, tough, with brilliant red bracts that last a long time, and grow ten to twelve feet tall. The plants themselves should be planted in full sun to produce full bracts of bright red color. They are perennial, of course, and are easy to maintain.
These poinsettia cuttings strike roots easily in gallon cans when taken in July and August and kept in a protected place, not too hot. Later on, they they can be planted in situ as and when you think they are big enough to continue growth on their own--now they will need attention and lots of water until they feel secure to continue on with their lives. They will then repeat the red bracts year after year--a remembrance of their former Italian owners. It's always a courtesy, respect, to ask the original owners politely for a gift of a few cuttings. I have never been denied anywhere when I approached the old occupants with care and appreciation, and have had many an interesting chat at that. Plants too are social. Old world, eh?
As for the nuovo Walmart poinsettias, they too can be propagated from cuttings (not as vigorous and tall growing), hardened off, and carefully planted eventually in situ. Care, Sorge--that's the key, and one day they may reach heights of beautiful seasonal color.
The old ethnic inner city gardens are sources of Christmas treasures. I look out for them all the time while driving or walking around (sans cell phone of course) in those ethnic neighborhoods because I want to see who used to live there and maybe remember them. The owners are always generous and care that you care about plants: "Oh, my grandmother planted them years ago when they first moved here, from Italy, Mexico, Vietnam, or where ever."
A Natural Christmas is one that lives on.
Frank La Rosa Mazza Dec 22, 2021.
