Perennials for the holidays? Why not? There are several perennials that are or could easily be marketed around the winter holidays. Even the most common holiday plant, the poinsettia, is a perennial in many locations.

Here are several other great plants that can be marketed as decorations during the winter months. And, yes, many of these can also be planted into the landscape in the spring for years of enjoyment.

Rosemary Trees

Rosemary trees are great for both holiday decorations and culinary uses. 

Christmas Rose

 
Helleborus Frostkiss Charmer

Candy Cane Sorrell

Oxalis versicolor

 

Hardy Cyclamen

 
Cyclamen hederifolium
 

Primrose

Primula Belarina Valentine
 

These are just a few examples of perennials that can be programmed and marketed for the winter holidays. For each of these perennials, there are often numerous cultivars that would also be good candidates. Similar to marketing fall perennials, the key is to focus on these great plants as being decorations rather than being used as traditional perennials. Put them in decorative containers and sell them at a premium price.

Please let me know if you know of any other perennials that you've seen (or grown) for the winter holidays. 

Ever wonder how new cultivars are named? Is there any reasoning behind how plant names are selected? If you're like me, I suspect you've wondered about this a time or two over the years. I came across an article with some of the naming strategies Proven Winners uses on their website.

The Leading Lady series of monarda from Proven Winners was named for their early flowering and frilly flowers. Monarda Leading Lady Lilac Lollipop is shown here.

According to Kerry Meyer (aka Proven Winners namer-in-chief), sometimes PW cultivars are named from a database of over 3,000 plant name ideas their creative staff have come up with over the years. In other instances, the perfect name comes from an "ah-ha!" moment. At times, the meaning behind plant names are incredibly obvious, while in other cases, their meanings are a little more obscure. A plant's appearance, garden performance and personality are often taken into consideration while determining its name.

Click the link below to read the full article and learn how the names of several annuals, perennials and shrubs came to be.

What's the Story Behind a Plant Name?

The year is quickly coming to a close. Can you believe it's nearly December and Christmas is less than one month away? If your Christmas shopping is finished (or you're looking for some last minute tax write-offs while you finish your shopping), consider attending one of these December trade events.

Great Lakes Expo

The Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market Expo and the Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo have joined forces once again for the Great Lakes Expo held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on December 4-6, 2018. The Expo will have a large trade show with over 400 exhibitors and over three days of educational opportunities. The Greenhouse Track includes topics such as fertility, pest management, marketing, lighting and more. Visit https://glexpo.com to learn more about this event.

Breeders and Young Plant Producers Conference

Looking to go abroad? Consider attending Fleuroselect's 11th Breeders and Young Plant Producers Conference at the Van der Valk Hotel in Veenendaal, The Netherlands on December 4-5, 2018. The theme of this year's conference is "Science in Horticulture." Attendees will have opportunities to learn about disruptive technologies in horticulture, agricultural robots, smart farming, breeding innovations and sustainable production. Click here for event information.

Perhaps you can't swing attending one of the December events mentioned above. No worries—the trade events are aplenty in January. Here's a listing of several of the meetings I thought might be of interest. Click the names listed below for event information.

Rather stick closer to home in December? How about an educational opportunity you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home? GrowerTalks is hosting a FREE webinar, "Beneficial Nematodes: Where Are We?" on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern/12:00 p.m. Central.

Beneficial nematodes (Steinernema feltiae) surrounding a fungus gnat larvae. 

Industry experts Suzanne "Buglady" Wainwright and BASF scientist and nematode expert Julie Graesch will discuss how beneficial nematodes are produced, nematode biology and how to get the most out of your nematode applications. Come join this excellent FREE webinar generously sponsored by BASF on December 13. Click here to register.