TRADITION IS GREAT, BUT SO IS THE UNEXPECTED

Armstrong Garden Centers Glendora

There will always be a place for paperwhites, poinsettias and amaryllises during the holiday season. They’re just so beautiful, accessible and festive.

But who doesn’t yearn to change things up a bit? The traditional trio doesn’t have to be banished, maybe just not given the center of attention. What takes their place? decor ideas that are a bit unexpected.

Hellebore Tops on just about everyone’s list are the stunning new white and cream (tinged red and pink) hellebores available as hybrids involving H. niger (commonly called Christmas rose), which won’t grow well outside in mild California gardens, and other hellebores which do. So enjoy these beauties for the holidays, and then plant them outside. You may just have a favorite new winterblooming perennial.

Calocephalus Silvery, wiry and wonder ful.

Calocephalus brownii is a great complement to all mixed containers and centerpieces. For an icy effect, combine with pure white Silver Dichondra Weave a long-growing (great if it trails three or four feet) pot of Silver Falls dichondra in and out of Everyone will wonder what that gorgeous silver foliage is—and they won’t believe it’s a live plant.

White Begonias There are several new types of begonias now avail able.

Crackling Fire White has beautifully arching stems dripping with white, Red Anigozanthus Who’d have thought?

Kangaroo paw as a holiday ones are stunning in centerpieces and suggest the fuzzy horns of reindeer.

Red Ornamental Peppers The gorgeous, glossy, scarlet red fruit of peppers popping through in a centerpiece or container garden is an unusual touch.

Silver Succulents Choose the whitest, silvery-est ones. Then nestle them among velvety-red flowers for a sleek, contemporary holiday look. Another combination: silvery succulents with mercury glass votives.

Kalanchoe Kalanchoes purchased just as the first blooms are popping will last for weeks and weeks indoors. The white ones - especially the white double ones - have a nice elegance, as do the deep red. Use them anywhere and everywhere since they aren’t fussy about light, or no light.

White Hydrangea Shooting Star has almost become a holiday staple, but since there are other new white hydrangeas (gorgeous double ones) being forced for the holidays, we’ve included it. Is there a more elegant holiday flower? Not really.

Cyclamen This wonderful flower has almost become as popular as the poinsettia and paperwhite. But you may not have used them indoors as holiday décor. You should. Nestle them (either red or white) in freshly-polished silver bowls with a bit of deep green moss to hide the pots. Sensational.

Here’s a look at the class schedule for December: 9 a.m. Dec. 27 – Rose Pruning 10 a.m. Dec. 28 – Fruit Tree Pruning Each class will be instructed by a certified nursery professional who will offer timely gardening advice and hands-on demonstrations. No advance registration or RSVP is required to attend, except for this month’s Make N’Take class. Classes are open to gardeners of all levels. Armstrong Garden Centers also offers free garden talks from the experts for local garden clubs, homeowners associations and other small groups in the community.

Laura Wigler is an Advanced California Certified Nursery Professional and the manager of the Armstrong Garden Centers located at 1350 East Route 66 Glendora, CA 91740. Email her your gardening questions to growingdialogue@ armstronggarden.com or call 626-963-0328