It's not too late to purchase what is commonly known as an “Amaryllis bulb” for the holiday season. Within days it will sprout, then flower — brightening your home with spectacular blooms. This simple-to-grow plant is also a popular Christmas gift, offering another option besides the all too familiar Poinsettia.

But do you know that this particular plant is not an Amaryllis at all. Instead, this indoor flowering bulb is actually a frost-intolerant tropical plant from South America that was placed into the same genus as the South African Amaryllis belladonna that grows outdoors. Its real name is Hippeastrum.

The Hippeastrum is available in a color pallet from orange, salmon, red, pink to white with hybrids available in solid pale greens and yellows, multicolors with mottling, stripes and colored edges. They feature single or double flowers, dwarf or mammoth sizes, and various petal shapes such as thin spider-like flowers or trumpets with flared tube-shaped flowers.

You can find bulbs in many big-box stores. Simple growing tips include the following:

-Plant bulb in a pot slightly larger than the bulb itself.

-Use well-drained organic potting mix.

-Bury only one-third of the bulb. Leave the remaining two-thirds visible above soil line.

-Place pot in well-lit location; next to a window is ideal.

-Maintain consistent moisture.

A good friend of mine is passionate about sweet peas, so passionate that she wears a pin in fall that reminds people to plant them.  Despite her gentle reminders, life had swamped me and many weeks passed before I remembered to plant the seeds. I put some in my raised beds, some in a container and then some in a container that already had a tomato in it. I figured the tomato would die soon and I wasn't sure if seeds would sprout now or in spring, but even if they sprouted now I didn't think they would get to any size.

Well this November has been very strange with very warm weather. The seeds sprouted all right  and are growing tall. I talked to someone out at the college who said theirs were blooming. Of course sweet peas aren't the only things affected.  My blueberries are flowering.  My cymbidiums started blooming late October.  It's all very odd, but that is one thing I love about gardening, it's a little bit different every year. This year though it's a whole lot different. It will be interesting to see what happens once it gets colder.

The UC Master Gardeners of Solano County have been out and about cutting redwood in anticipation of their wreath workshop.  The workshop is being held on Saturday, December 10. See flyer below.

The behind-the-scenes work is all done by the MG volunteers.  Tomorrow, they cut, prepare, soak, box and bring the greens to the workshop.  They have also been working on gathering decorations from their gardens.

Each year, the participants of the wreath workshop are treated to materials to make unique wreaths, but also a wonderful spread of food made by the MGs. It's quite the gathering.

There is still space available.  Please see flyer for more information.