December

Prune 
  • Continue pruning.
  • Perennial stems: cut back the following to 3-4 inches from the ground after several hard frosts - yarrow, asters, Joe Pye weed, monarda.
  • Cut the following to the ground: peony, phlox, Solomon's seal, toad lily.
  • Cut shasta daisy and stokes aster to basal growth.
  • November through February is the ideal time to prune abelia, privet, smoke tree, sumac, and all evergreen trees and shrubs.
  • Boxwood can be pruned November through July. Thinning, to promote adequate interior light and air circulation, should be done when temps are above freezing.

Chores
  • Finish cleaning up flower beds. Remove annuals killed by frost.
  • Mulch trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs to 4-6" after a few hard frosts. Use straw, pine needles, or shredded leaves.
  • Clean old leaves and twigs out of centers of boxwood to avoid disease and pest damage.
  • Houseplants: clean foliage during winter, water when dry and lightly fertilize once per month.
  • Poinsettias: keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Water with Peters or Miracle Grow and let plant drain in sink before returning to saucer. Water should be warm. Keep plants away from drafts and heaters; place in indirect light.

Tips
  • Christmas Cactus: to prolong blooming, reduce watering and keep in full sun at 70 degrees.
  • To discourage insects from hatching when nuts, cones, and seed pods are brought indoors for holiday arrangements, place them in the oven on a low setting for an hour.
  • Christmas Trees: if you purchase, make a fresh 2" cut up the trunk and place the tree in a bucket of water for 2-3 days. Make another fresh cut when you bring the tree indoors. Be sure to continue to water.
  • After the Holidays you can use your discarded tree:
    • ​Decorate it for the birds with suet and/or pinecones covered with peanut butter.
    • Cut branches from the tree and use them to lay over perennial beds to protect the plants from heaving.
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Thanks to Suzanne Aiello who compiled these tips for the Dolley Madison Garden Club.