The history of the Advent wreath actually begins long before Christianity.To northern Europeans, a circle of evergreen branches symbolized the endless cycle of seasons, and candles symbolized the persistence of life through the bleak winter. During the Middle Ages, the evergreen wreath became a Christian symbol.  One candle is lit each week, symbolizing the four weeks of Advent leading up to Christmas.

Let's get started. First, gather your supplies.

You’ll need greens, gloves, clippers, four candle holders with spiked bottoms, four blue or purple candles, and an Oasis-brand table ring. I recommend the Oasis table ring as a base because it absorbs water and will keep your greens fresh all through the season.  I’m using a 12-inch ring in these photos, but you can use whatever size you like. If you can’t find an Oasis table ring, you can use a Styrofoam ring from any craft store—though it won’t absorb water.

Let’s prepare the greens. You can use any type of greens you like.  I’m using blue spruce in these photos.You’ll need a few branches worth of greens.  Put on your gloves and cut the greens into small pieces.

 
And remove the bottom inch of needles from each piece.

Immerse your table ring in water, just for a moment. Then, insert the candle holders into the table ring.You want to position them at equal intervals around the ring.

Next, insert the greens into the ring. You want them to lay as flat as possible.

Finally, add the candles. Water your wreath every few days, either by dunking it in a sink full of water or just by sprinkling a little water on it.  Be careful not to place the wreath on an unprotected wooden surface—it could cause water damage.

It has been a long time since my last blog but I haven't been idle all this time.  It has been a very busy spring for me.  I had the privilege of being asked by Trinity to do the landscaping around the new mausoleum in the uptown cemetery.  In mid-May all the construction was completed and all the beds were prepared and ready for planting.  The job consisted of not only planting around the newly finished building, but also replanting in existing raised beds. It was decided that they would be cleared of their unattractive old yews and replanted with new shrubs and trees to blend with and complement the new landscaping. It was a fairly extensive job that required a large amount of material as well as a lot of man-power and man-hours.

Just to give you some idea of the size of the job, here is a list what we planted.

(128) Azaleas in 9 different and varying shades of pink
(46) 3' tall Hybrid Rhododendrons varying in shades from pale pink to dark purple
(10) 2' tall Pieris Japonica Andromeda ("Red Head" variety)
(10) Hydrangea Serrata (lacecap Hydrangea)
(10) Hydrangea Macrophylla ("Nikko Blue")
(10) Hydrangea Macrophylla ("Glowing Embers")
(7)  Hydrangea Quercifolia (Oak Leaf Hydrangea)
(4) 4' Hibiscus Syriacus (Rose of Sharon) (1) "Minerva", (1) "Aphrodite", (1) "Red Heart",
    (1) "Lucy"
(1) 10' tall Cornus Florida (Pink flowering Dogwood) "Cherokee Brave" variety
(15) Ilex Cranata Helleri (Dwarf Japanese Holly)
(25) Perennial Hosta ("Gold Standard")
(1) 7' Magnolia Grandiflora ("Little Gem")
(4) 5' Thuja Occidentalis (Emerald Green Arborvitae)
(306) 1 gallon Liriope Muscari ("Big Blue")
(10) Flats (24 plants each) Vinca Minor
(22) Flats (100 plants each) Pachysandra Terminalis
(25) Flats (100 plants each) Euonymus Fortunei Coloratus (Wintercreeper)

As you can see from the amount of material, this was no "Walk in the Park" as they say.  It took 6 people 9 full days to complete.  If I do say so myself, the end result was more than worth the effort.  The plantings not only look beautiful but they also complement the new and existing architecture and blend seamlessly with the existing landscape of the Cemetery.

If you have the chance, you should plan a visit to the uptown cemetery.  The setting couldn't be more beautiful. The grounds are filled with unique and interesting monuments and mausoleums that are surrounded by hundreds of trees many of whom are over 100 years old.  Standing amid this lush and beautiful landscape, listening to the numerous birds, you find it hard to believe that you are in a thriving and bustling neighborhood of Manhattan.

I always look forward to working in the Uptown Cemetery.  It actually feels like a day-trip outside the city.

Landscaping the new Mausoleum isn't all we've been doing this spring.  But you'll have to wait till the next blog to find out what else we've been up to.

Till then,
Kevin

New York City is expecting highs in the mid-eighties this weekend, and the unusually warm weather will cause the spring blooms in the Trinity Churchyard to peak on Sunday, April 26.

Sunday will be an extra special treat: it’s unusual for the many types of flowers and flowering trees in the churchyard to peak simultaneously, as they will this weekend. The flowers are already falling off the magnolia trees, the cherry blossoms are open, and the tulips, daffodils, and hostas are open.

So if you’re in the area, stop by and check out the blooms in the churchyard. Or check out the photos here.
Tulips amid fallen magnolia blossoms
Daffodils in the north churchyard
Blooms!
Cherry blossoms in the north churchyard
Open tulip from above
Happy spring!

Tulips in the south churchyard


Ok, I know the weather has been crazy. Warm one day, cold the next, but spring is truly here. Just take a walk in the churchyard and you'll be convinced. The tulips are in full bloom and are a must see. They are a little bit smaller this year than last, but this year there are more doubles, triples, and even some quadruple blooms off of one bulb. I've never seen anything like it. Normally when you plant 4,500 bulbs you'll get a few dozen double blooming bulbs. But this year the vast majority of red tulips are doubles and triples. Even though we planted 3,900 bulbs at Trinity, I would guess there are at least 5,000 blooms, probably more. Talk about more bang for the buck! More like more bang for the bulb.


Tulips at the grave of the Rev. John Heuss


Also in bloom are our new daffodils. They are just starting to bloom in the beds just to the right of the outside entrance to All Saint's Chapel. We planted 300 assorted varieties and it looks like all the bulbs will eventually come up and bloom. It's great to see daffodils in the churchyard again after so many years without them. I've counted six different varieties so far. Some of the bulbs are slow to sprout so it looks like we'll have daffodils blooming for another few weeks. They will probably outlast the tulips.


Magnolia tree in the north churchyard


Hard to miss in full bloom right now are the two magnolia trees in the far northwest corner of the yard. They really are spectacular when they are at their peak and I can forgive them for making an awful mushy mess when the fat petals drop. Normally I don't like messy trees but you have to make an exception in the case of Magnolias. If you can, get up close an smell the blossoms. They have an incredible fragrance. Very heady.


Easter lilies in front of the church

I'm always talking about how cheap I am and how I like to recycle plants, well this weekend we recycled almost all the plants from the Garden of Repose in All Saint's Chapel. I choose the plants with just that in mind. I want to get as much use out of them as possible.


An azalea bud in the south churchyard


Every year I use a tree in the GOR (Garden of Repose), not just for the effect, but also so I have a tree to plant somewhere in the Churchyard. This year I used two small magnolias rather than one large tree. They have now been planted in the north yard somewhat in the center but as far north as possible so as not to create too much shade on the lawn when they get larger. That band of lawn and headstones that runs parallel to the Trinity Building has no trees on it and seemed like the best place to plant them. It will also be nice to have flowering trees in an area of the yard that doesn't have any.


Hosta shoots in the north churchyard


We also planted two gardenia bushes in the planters outside the gift shop. We had jasmine in the containers last year and I wanted something different this year. I love the fragrance of gardenias and I hope that they do well and bloom all summer. They will need to find a home for the winter as they are not northern hardy. They are full of buds and hopefully will bloom in a few weeks.


Yoshino cherry in the north churchyard


I have planted Spathiphyllums in the planters outside the north porch again this year. They did well last year and bloomed periodically throughout the season.


Kwanzan cherry bud in the north churchyard


There are also Boston Ferns planted in containers around the corner (left and right) from the main entrance. They grew magnificently last year. They require diligent watering but when they are huge and lush they make the effort worthwhile. We also planted a fern in the cast iron urn just off the back porch again. The one we planted last year did so well and looked so perfect for that planter and that area that we didn't want to mess with success.


A double red tulip


Along the south side of the church we planted five of the palms from Palm Sunday in the containers to the right of the root. They also did well last year and added a nice bit of greenery to an otherwise dull spot.


Close up of a magnolia blossum


Lastly we planted all the small azaleas, calla lilies, mini-roses, and gerberas that were in the GOR throughout the yard. The ivy geraniums that were tucked here and there in the GOR have now found a home in the broken containers in the sandy garden in the northwest corner of the yard. That area is intensely hot, dry and sunny, and they should do very well there.


An orange tulip in the south churchyard


The only plants we didn't recycle were the tulips and hyacinths and they were given to parishioners.

So how's that for conservation and recycling? I know there's a lot of waste in the floral industry but I try my best to limit that and conserve and recycle as much as I can. In this case it's definitely a win-win situation.

So get out in the churchyard and enjoy the spring flowers. They won't be around for much longer and then we'll have to wait another whole year. I think that's why spring flowers are my favorite...they never overstay their welcome.

Till next time,
Kevin

Tulips and daffodils!
Well, if you take a close look around the churchyard, you'll know where the flowers is! They're everywhere. Well, at least the beginnings of flowers are everywhere. The tulips and daffodils have started to push their way up through the soil and are about 2-3 inches tall at this point. The faith we exhibited in autumn has now, six months later, been rewarded. The bulbs have survived the winter and are now on their way to producing what will be a spectacular display in May. I can now breath a sigh of relief knowing that the bulbs didn't freeze or rot or become squirrel food. It's just a waiting game now till the great May payoff.

You can also see other signs of spring if you look around closely enough. Look at the tips of the tree branches. They're not as bare and dormant as they first appear. On closer inspection you can see the buds that will later become beautiful blossoms and leaves. The ornamental cherry trees all have tight little buds that will, in six weeks or so, develop into beautiful pink blossoms. The azaleas all have buds in place for their sensational May display. The hydrangea buds started growing weeks ago and are a portent of special things to come.

This is a magical time of year for me. I love to wander around the churchyard and see signs of life emerging everywhere. After a long and bitter winter, I'm always so happy to see that all the trees and shrubs (my babies) have made it through unscathed.

It is also a life-affirming time of year. A time when we are fortunate to experience the renewal portion of the cycle of life. Seeing the rebirth of nature all about us, it's not difficult to feel reborn ourselves. So if you're still feeling grumpy and in the winter doldrums, take a walk around the churchyard. I guarantee that you'll feel transformed after you experience the rebirth of nature first hand.

Happy Spring!

Kevin

I know not everyone is fond of snow--this time of year especially. Most of us are over winter and ready for spring. As pretty as a fresh blanket of snow can be, it can also be a huge headache. But did you know that snow actually has several benefits for yard and garden plantings?

One major benefit of a good snow cover is snow functions as an excellent insulator of the soil. Studies have shown that nighttime temperatures can be more than 20 degrees warmer beneath a layer of protective snow. Without snow, very cold temperatures can freeze the soil deeper and deeper. This could lead to damage to the root systems of trees and shrubs.

This insulation effect also helps protect perennials, bulbs, ground covers, and strawberry plantings from alternating freezing and thawing cycles. Without snow, milder temperatures and the sun could warm the soil surface, leading to damage from soil heaving which can break roots and dry out plant parts. Also of great importance, snow helps conserve soil moisture over the winter. Snow also captures nitrogen from the air as it passes through it and deposits it into the ground, acting a bit like fertilizer.

There are, of course, many drawbacks to snow. Heavy snow can damage trees and shrubs as the weight accumulates on branches. If there are heavy snow accumulations, you may want to CAREFULLY remove the snow from the branches. Don't violently shake a tree, branch, or shrub as they are much more brittle in winter and they could easily crack, especially if they are covered in ice.

Another positive on snow is the enhanced visibility of some landscape plantings. Trees and shrubs with ornamental bark, such as red twig dogwood or river birches, look more brilliant against a stark white backdrop. Ornamental grasses from last season are much more visible and evergreens are dramatically greener when viewed against a fresh white snowfall.

So the next time it snows, don't curse mother nature for giving you extra work and for making driving a nightmare, thank her for providing a protective and nourishing blanket for your lawns and gardens.

Till next time,

Kevin

Photo by flickr user Jimski

It is second nature for us to give roses on Valentine's Day, but haven't you ever wondered where and how that tradition began? Well, here is just one of many possibilities. There is no definitive answer as to just how and when our Valentine's Day traditions began, and there isn't one definitive answer as to just how and when roses became part of that tradition.

According to popular legends, the red rose was considered to be a favorite flower of Venus , the Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty. Hence the red rose's coming to be associated with love and romance. Historians believe that the tradition of giving red roses on Valentine's Day became popular in the 1700's when King Charles of Sweden and Norway brought the "floral lexicon" to Europe. Books giving details about the meanings of particular flowers were published which demonstrated to people how entire conversations could be carried out using just the flowers. Poets and romantics eulogizing the red rose as a symbol of love, passion, and beauty further helped to create the strong association of red roses with love and Valentine's Day.

Photo by flickr user Rainspo

Roses of different colors symbolize different emotions and feelings.
Red roses--love and passion
White roses--true love, purity of the mind and reverence
Yellow roses--friendship, celebration and joy
Pink roses--friendship or sweetheart, admiration
Light pink roses--sympathy
Peach roses--desire and excitement or appreciation
Lilac roses--love at first sight and enchantment
Coral roses--desire
Orange roses--enthusiasm and desire
Black roses--farewell or "It's over"
Bouquet of red and yellow roses--happiness and celebrations
Bouquet of red and white roses--bonding and harmony
Bouquet of yellow and orange roses--passion

Photo by flickr user Abraxas3d

I guess that will make you think twice the next time you pick up a bouquet of roses without thinking too much about the color. Men and women of the late 17th, 18th, 19th, and early 20th. centuries took the choosing and sending of just the right flower to convey just the right message very seriously. Just as the right flower could lead to love and a lifetime of happiness, the wrong choice could end a relationship before it even began.

And you wonder why guys get a little nuts when they have to pick out flowers for their wives and girlfriends.

So guys, think carefully when you choose flowers this Valentine's Day. And yes, flowers are expensive this holiday, but how much will it cost you if you don't send flowers? A dozen roses is much cheaper in the long run, dontcha think?

SOME ROSE FACTS

Did you know that 189 million stems of roses were sold on Valentine's Day and 1.2 billion throughout the year? Have you ever wondered where roses come from?

Just a generation ago the answer would have been from one of the many flower growers throughout the western and southern U.S. or possibly Holland.

But just as American's taste in flowers has grown from mums and carnations to more unique specialty blooms, so has their place of origin been changing in recent years.

California is still America's top cut flower producer with Florida second for flowers and foliages. But despite their long history of quality fresh flower production, many domestic growers are struggling to keep up with foreign competition. In fact, foreign imports dominate todays flower market, in some cases accounting for 90% or more of all U.S. sales within a particular category.

Today, Columbia is the dominant producer of U.S. cut flowers, with roses, carnations, spray chrysanthemums, and alstroemeria among its top crops. Ecuador takes a close second. Both countries have exceptional climates for commercial growing and both have successfully carved out their own niche in the most popular product segments. Ecuador's top crops include roses, delphiniums, asters, baby's breath, and mixed bouquets.

Together Columbia and Ecuador accounted for roughly 90% of all roses, and 98% of all carnations, and 95% of all chrysanthemums sold in the U.S. last year. And they're not the only countries competing for the American market.

Holland's vast wealth of cut flowers is still readily available in the U.S. too. Tulips lead the list of top exports from the Netherlands, accounting for almost 95% of all U.S. tulip imports. Roses, lilies, gerberas, freesias, snapdragons, and cymbidium orchids are other leading Dutch imports.

Recently Canadian cut flower growers have begun tapping into the American market too, exporting roughly 4.8 million stems and bunches to the U.S. Mexico, Costa Rica, and Chile are other budding flower producing nations hoping to break into the American market.

So the next time you wonder why flowers cost so much, think about how far those flowers had to travel to get to your florist so that you could express to your loved one just how much they mean to you. Like I said, a small price to pay when you think about it.

SOME CARE TIPS FOR CUT ROSES

ALWAYS cut rose stems before putting them in water.
ALWAYS cut stems under water.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, (have you got that?!) use warm water. Roses do not like cold water. In fact, no flower likes cold water.
If your roses are wilty when you receive them, you must support the heads or they will never stay upright. If the heads are wilty when you put them in water, they won't straighten up on their own. Wrap the stems, especially the heads, and then place them in the very warm water.
HOW WARM you may ask? As warm as you wash your hands with. The wiltier the flower, the warmer the water. If your hands can take the heat of the water, so can the roses.
WHY WARM WATER you may also ask? I'll tell you. Cold water doesn't travel up the stem. It makes the cells of the stem contract and therefore makes it more difficult for the water to get to the flower. Warm water (almost hot) opens up the cells and has an easier and quicker time traveling up the stem.
ALWAYS use the very sharpest clippers/scissors you have to cut the stems.
If you received a vase of roses, good. Leave them in the vase and enjoy them. If they are wilted in the vase, take them out and do what I said to do above. Remember, this is the time when a lot of inferior roses are being sold. Sometimes no amount of heroic efforts can save a terminal rose. In the end it's the thought that counts.

Till next time.

Kevin

SOME ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

Eileen posted that she was coming to NYC this spring and was putting Trinity's churchyard first on her list to visit.

Thanks Eileen. If you let us know when you're coming, we'll arrange a special tour of the churchyard just for you. Hopefully you'll come when our 3,000 emperor tulips and 300 narcissi are in bloom.

Susan posted a comment and a question. She said euphorbias are her favorite nuisance plant. Is it the white milky sap that makes it a nuisance? What's your least favorite nuisance plant? She also asks just how poisonous might Poinsettias be for a (naughty) kitten and are euphorbias in general poisonous plants?

Well Susan, let's talk a bit about Euphorbias. The genus Euphorbia is one of the largest in the plant kingdom with more than 3,000 species including poinsettias and the garden weed spurge. About 460 of the species are succulent, originating almost entirely from the drier regions of Africa, Arabia, Madagascar, and India. Succulent Euphorbias are amazingly diverse in their form ranging from globular shapes, to shrubs, to massive trees. Many resemble cacti of the New World in shape and thorns.

Three very different types of Euphorbia, courtesy of flickr users Martin Heigan, petrichor and brewbooks

The name of the genus comes from Euphorbus physician to one of the kings of Mauritania in the first century A.D. The king is said to have been reminded of Euphorbus when seeing Euphorbus resinifera, because both were portly in shape.

When cut, Euphorbias bleed profusely. Their white milky sap contain latex and can cause burning and irritation to those with sensitive skin. Contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth can be extremely painful and the sap should be washed off with mild soap and water at once.

Despite common belief, poinsettias are not poisonous. As far as anyone knows, no one has ever died from ingesting large quantities of poinsettias. They can cause stomach upset, nausea, and diarrhea if eaten in large enough quantities, but that is the extent of their toxicity. They won't seriously harm your kitty, but if he eats some of the leaves you will most likely have an unpleasant mess to clean up.

Toni writes that she got one fluke red leaf on her poinsettia but thinks she may try going the "darkness" route to see if she can get her plant to turn red. Good luck and let us know if you get any results.

She also asks how to care for a potted Christmas tree that was found on the street and is showing new growth. Her brother will eventually plant the tree in his yard.

Toni, you're going to have to care for your tree indoors through the winter until the threat of frost is over in the spring. If you plant the tree outdoors now, the freezing temperatures will kill the tender new growth and most likely the entire tree. If, however, your brother lives in a part of the country that doesn't get freezing temperatures, it can go outside anytime. In the meantime, you need to keep it near a draft-free window that gets good light. East or west is best. If you have southern exposure, you need to move it back a bit from the window so it doesn't get direct intense sun all afternoon. When you water, water well but not frequently. It's a tree. It needs a good amount of water when the soil is dry about 2 inches down from the surface. Don't water a little bit frequently. Also turn your tree periodically so all the sides get good light. Good luck with your rescue tree.

Thanks again for your comments and thought provoking questions.

Kevin

Joel Roberts Poinsett was the first American Ambassador to Mexico in the 1820's. In 1828 he found a beautiful shrub with large red flowers growing next to a road. He took cuttings from the plant and brought them back to South Carolina. Even though Poinsett had an outstanding career as a US Congressman and as an ambassador, he will always be remembered for introducing the poincettia to the US.

William Prescott, an historian and horticulturist, was asked to give Euphorbia pulcherrima (meaning "very beautiful") a new name as it became more popular. At that time, Mr. Prescott had just published a book called the 'Conquest of Mexico' in which he detailed Joel Poinsett's discovery of the plant. Prescott named the plant the Poinsettia in honor of Joel Poinsett's discovery.

The Poinsettia's association with Christmas began in 16th. century Mexico where legend tells of a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday. The tale goes that the child was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the altar. Crimson "blossoms" sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias. From the 17th. century, Franciscan monks in Mexico included poinsettia plants in their Christmas celebrations.

Some poinsettia facts--

-The poinsettia is native to Mexico but is now grown all around the world.

-The showy colored parts of the plant that most people think are the flowers are actually colored bracts (modified leaves).

-Poinsettias are priced according to the number of blooms. The more blooms the more expensive the plant.

-The flowers or Cyathia of the poinsettia are in the center of the colorful bracts.

-The Paul Ecke Ranch in California grows over 80 percent of poinsettias in the US for the wholesale market.

-Ninety percent of all the flowering poinsettias in the world got their start at the Paul Ecke Ranch.

-There are over 100 varieties of poinsettias available.

-$220 million worth of poinsettias are sold during the holiday season.

-Poinsettias are the best selling flowering potted plant in the US. In 2004 61 million plants were sold.

And now the question on everyone's mind and the question I get asked the most, not just at Christmas, but all year round; "How do I get my poinsettia to bloom again?" My answer is simple. Throw it away and buy a new one! They're not that expensive. They're not that pretty after weeks of abuse and neglect and they're not that attractive a plant if you can get them to grow new green leaves once the others have fallen off. You know all this is true, but you still want to try to get them to turn red again. Well, I'll give you the secret but I know you're not going to put in the time and effort it takes and in the end you'll just buy a new one like I recommended in the first place. To get a poinsettia to reflower you have to keep it in TOTAL darkness between 5pm and 8am. Start this around October 1st. and continue until color appears on the bracts; usually around early to mid-December. ANY little exposure to light can prevent "flowering". Covering the plant with a light-proof bag and placing it in a closet may work. So, do you still think it's worth it to get it to turn color again?

Let me know your results.

Kevin