December

Prune

• Perennial stems - cut back the following to 3-4 inches from the ground after several hard frosts: yarrow, asters, Joe Pye, 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.
• Pointsettias: keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Water and let plant drain in to the sink before returning to saucer. Water should be warm. Keep plants away from drafts and heaters; place in indirect light.

Tips

• Xmas 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.
• Xmas Trees: if you purchase, make a fresh 2" cut up the trunk and place the tree in 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 or;
  - 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.